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From jealousy to being proud

Showing people how to do things, or just getting started is great. Seeing them pick up the topic and getting on their way on the path you have shown them feels nice. But working with talented people capable of learning you soon notice them surpassing your own knowledge.

It can quickly make you feel jealous of their skills. They become better at what you were while you are stuck there just trying to share what you know. They go beyond your knowledge and start creating things you couldn't even imagine doing. At least not with a formidable commitment to learn more about the topic.

It's easy to fall into this trap and just feel inferior to them. But what you should instead focus on is being proud of their accomplishment. You can't know all and there is so many things to learn. Let them go their way and be proud of what you have set in motion.

And when they come up with new skills and ideas its a great opportunity to learn yourself too. That is one of the good part of mentoring others. You are not just sharing your knowledge but learning yourself also along the way. And once they have their way you can focus on next big thing. Learn enough of it to pick up the next batch of students and show them new paths to investigate.