There is nothing quite like that feeling you get when you say goodbye whole room of people who have just spent 3 hours a week for two months with you transforming, transitioning and learning new skills.
I was 19 when I facilitated my first workshop. It was a theatre class for the other students at uni and it went fantastically. Since then I have taught classes from one on one craft sessions to circus skills to over 300 Burmese children. I have always loved sharing skills and have taught everything I could from crochet and bookbinding to ecstatic dance and photoshop skills.
This passion for teaching skills combined with my passion for seeing people blossoming into their fullest self through creativity and voice have led me to the work I do now, and it fills me. From the one on one VIP coaching sessions to the large group processes, every time I come away feeling fulfilled.
So why do I recommend that everyone at some point in their life steps up to teach something that they have crafted or learnt themselves?
Here are my top 5 reasons to develop and facilitate your own course, and if this list inspires you then comment and let me know what you are called to teach.
1 – Self-worth and empowerment
When we set our hearts to achieve something and actually step up and Do it the boost to our self-worth is incredible. Now add to that the effect of seeing others not only learning from you but having their lives palpably changing for the better because of something they learnt from you. It is a total affirmation of your existence on the planet to know that you have done something to benefit the world around you. On the flip side, those of us who have dreamed of teaching classes but never step up to it due to self-doubt have to face the daily barrage of self-judgement that comes with not following through with what you set your heart on. This becomes a self-deprecating cycle of feeling worse and worse each time you think about it. Not fun. So choosing to run your own courses is a great step towards building a sense of self-empowerment and worth.
2 – A sense of autonomy
For those of us who charge for our work in some form, (which I highly recommend doing) the feeling of earning money or even trading services and items from your own work is unimaginable. The time I realised I could step away from the role of employee and not starve or ruin my life was a breakthrough. Working for companies and businesses is not necessarily a bad thing but there is a sense of self-worth you get from not only making money from your own projects but from knowing that you did it for you not because someone else told you to.
3 – The community you build
Running events and workshops opens you to a whole new range of social interactions. From people who come to your classes or people who hear of your classes but are still yet to participate, all the way up to other course facilitators. From running courses, I have had the pleasure of some incredible experiences such as living on tropical islands, international travel and the opportunity to attend many festivals, events and gatherings. From these experiences I have also managed to make life long friendship which I may never have had otherwise.
4 – You learn as you teach.
There is no better way to learn your skill than to teach it. This goes from the basic retelling of information all the way up to the new realisations and “Aha!” moments you get from guiding people through your system. Every time I run a course I learn something; whether that is a way to handle a group dynamic, or a new element to my work from someone questioning me or even because a participant knows something I didn’t. I believe that a truly good teacher is always a student and I have learnt invaluable things from running classes.
5 – Changing the world
Every time we create the space for someone to learn something we create an opportunity to change the world. You may not think that your dance class can do much, but imagine being a woman who is struggling to find joy in her life, she joins a dance class and not only meets new people but finds a new spark of passion she lost years ago. Imagine what that woman could go on to do with that passion. Whether it is in a big way or a small way, every time we create a space to learn we change the world. The key is to question what way you would like to make that change?
So now we have established all these exciting reasons that running your own course could benefit your life I guess you are wondering “what next?”.
Well… Ask yourself how you want to change the world, what would you teach? Then do it. Step into that void and create your world. From a small craft class with your friends to a weekend holistic yoga intensive, choose your path and run down it.
If you are interested in anything this blog has mentioned or would like to run your own courses but don’t know where to start then I am bout to launch the perfect program for you. “Empowered Women Teach” Is a one on one coaching platform which takes you from concept to the closing of your own course with full accountability and support. Places are only available by application. For more details contact [email protected] or check out my website www.fleassymalay.com