Harness the Power of Teaching: Boost Your Creativity, Skills, and Purpose

Before I discovered the transformative power of teaching, I, like many creatives, was on a continual journey of learning and implementing. But as I began to master my craft, a new perspective unfolded: I realized I had valuable insights to share, insights that could guide others on their creative paths. This revelation was more than just a new way to connect with others; it was the spark for my own transformation and journey towards mastery.

I found myself saying, I'm in a cycle of learning, implementing, and teaching. I discovered that teaching wasn't just about sharing my knowledge, it was a tool for refining my own skills, for enhancing my own understanding.

As I leaned into this role of teacher, I found an unexpected but welcome side effect: My performance and motivation skyrocketed. The very act of teaching provided a positive, external push, a pressure that drove me to strive for higher levels of excellence. When you weave serving others into your creative practice, it's like adding fuel to your performance. You're not just driving to achieve for yourself, but your achievements take on a new weight because they're directly impacting others.

Teaching offers an interesting dual advantage. It first enables us to perfect our skills. The old adage, "To teach is to learn twice," rings true here. When we impart knowledge, we further ingrain these concepts and refine our understanding, thereby enhancing our proficiency.

And it infuses us with a heightened sense of purpose. 

There's an immense satisfaction derived from guiding others on their path to mastery, and this serves as motivation to elevate our performance. The pressure from those depending on us creates an environment that promotes personal growth and discipline, fostering a higher level of excellence. As American philosopher and poet Henry David Thoreau once said, "Not only must we be good, but we must also be good for something."

The reluctance to start teaching is often rooted in the belief that one is not "expert enough." However, in reality, expertise is a spectrum. Everyone is an expert in their own unique way, and one needs to be only one step ahead to teach. Regardless of where we are on our journey, there will always be someone who can learn from our experiences.

If you're contemplating what skills or knowledge to share, consider these questions:

• What do I get asked about the most?
• What have I been praised for?
• What am I an expert in?
• Is there a specific way that I do something that's interesting?

Your answers could lead you to areas where your insights are most valuable. Once you identify something you are uniquely equipped to share, begin today. Do not delay or overthink. Find someone who could benefit from your knowledge and start imparting it.

Next, choose another skill you want to become an expert in, obsess over its development, and then teach it to someone else as quickly as possible. This process, repeated consistently, can enhance your discipline, performance, and confidence. This can also empower others to achieve greater success.

Hesitation often stems from the fear of sharing our secrets, the presence of others doing similar work, or "imposter syndrome." It's important to remember that there is someone who will resonate with the way you teach, the way you share, and they need you to do it. Your unique contributions are critical to the evolution of your industry and to helping cultivate other creative professionals.

Teaching, along with serving others, can also be an additional income stream, adding a layer to what you're already doing while simultaneously increasing your skills and purpose.

Here are some ways to begin your journey as a teacher:

• Share your knowledge with someone in your real life.
• Conduct a workshop.
• Offer one-on-one coaching.
• Teach a class.
• Host a community around your craft.

Remember, it's not just about achieving personal success, but also about loving the success of others. By teaching, we create a cycle of shared growth and success that leads to a higher collective impact. So, go ahead and share your secrets, and experience the transformative power of teaching, both for others and yourself.

HEAR MORE ON THIS TOPIC ON EPISODE 6 OF THE PROFESSIONAL CREATIVE