become a mentor

you've survived things. learned things. figured things out the hard way. and all that hard-won knowledge is sitting in your head, useful to nobody but you.

time to change that.

the selfish case for mentorship

forget the altruistic pitch for a moment. mentoring someone else is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

teaching clarifies thinking. you don't truly understand something until you can explain it simply to someone else. mentoring forces you to articulate lessons that are currently vague instincts.

it provides perspective. seeing someone struggle with problems you've already solved reminds you how far you've come. that's not ego — it's healthy recognition of your own growth.

it creates meaning. humans need to feel useful. not productive — useful. knowing that your experience is actively helping another human being is deeply fulfilling in a way that no professional achievement can match.

you're more qualified than you think

you don't need to be a billionaire CEO to be a valuable mentor. you just need to be further along than someone else in an area that matters to them.

survived a career change? that's mentorship material. navigated a difficult relationship? mentorship material. built a side project? figured out your finances? overcame a bad habit? all of it.

the person two steps behind you on the path needs exactly the perspective you have right now.

how to start

big brothers big sisters of america — an established organization that matches mentors with young people who need guidance.

your workplace — there's almost certainly a junior colleague who would benefit from your experience.

your community — schools, nonprofits, religious organizations, and community centers all need mentors.

or just look at the people already in your life. who could use someone in their corner? reach out. offer.

the legacy that matters

at the end of your life, the accolades and achievements will matter less than the people you helped along the way. start building that legacy now.

if this resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it.