by Ntsoaki Sibiya - Mentorship Expert | Mentorship Mindset Thought Leader | Entrepreneur
We are officially at the midpoint of the year — that sacred space between what was and what is yet to be. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years as a woman who builds, mentors, and leads — it’s that growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design. Intentional design.
And yet, somewhere between January’s vision boards and December’s reflections, many entrepreneurs get caught in a dangerous rhythm: doing without direction, building without recalibration, mentoring without momentum.
This is why, every July without fail, I pause for what I call The Mid-Year Mentor Check-In — a personal audit of who I am becoming, who I’m learning from, and how aligned I am with the impact I’ve committed to make.
The Mentor Mirror: Asking Hard Questions
I remember a few years ago, I was in a season of visible momentum. Speaking engagements. Partnerships. Business growth. From the outside, it looked like I was ascending. But in truth, I was drifting.
Yes, things were happening — but they were not necessarily happening in alignment with the woman I had envisioned at the start of that year. I had mentors in my circle, but I wasn’t leveraging them with intentionality. I wasn’t asking for accountability. I wasn’t pausing to reflect — I was too busy producing.
And so I crashed. Not dramatically. Quietly. Subtly. I started feeling disconnected from my own purpose. The noise of performance was louder than the whisper of alignment.
That moment taught me something priceless: impactful leadership isn’t measured by motion, but by meaning.
So I began to do what I now teach my mentorship community: a mid-year growth audit.
Audit. Align. Advance.
The mid-year check-in is not about shame or self-critique. It’s about leadership. Because leaders don’t just move — we course-correct.
Here’s how I approach it:
1. Audit Your Growth: What Have You Actually Built?
Look beyond the busyness. What tangible progress have you made toward your vision? What habits have you cultivated? What mindsets have you shifted? What skills have you deepened?
Ask: “Am I leading in a way that reflects the vision I set at the start of the year?”
2. Audit Your Mentors: Who is Still Relevant to Your Journey?
Sometimes, the mentors who were necessary in January are not the mentors you need now. Your growth will often require a reconfiguration of your support system.
Ask: “Who is speaking into my life and business right now — and are they helping me grow upward or merely keeping me afloat?”
3. Realign Your Commitments: What Needs to Be Refined or Released?
Leadership is not only about doing more. It is about doing what matters most. Excellence requires elimination.
Ask: “Where am I overcommitted? What needs my full attention, and what must be surrendered?”
The Power of a Mentored Life
One of the greatest gifts mentorship has given me is clarity. Not just clarity on strategy, but clarity on self. When I look back at the inflection points of my entrepreneurial journey — from running my first security business to mentoring high-impact women across the continent — there is always a mentor, a mirror, or a moment of hard truth that helped me realign.
That’s the power of a mentored life — not one lived for applause, but one lived for alignment, significance, and legacy.
Your Turn: Reflect and Recommit
I want to challenge you, as my sister in purpose, to make space this month for your own Mid-Year Mentor Check-In. Don’t just keep going. Pause. Reflect. Realign.
Pull out your journal. Revisit your vision. Call a mentor. Ask the hard questions. And remember — you don’t need to wait for a new year to start becoming a new version of yourself. You can begin again right here, in the middle.
Because true growth is not measured by how fast you go, but by how faithfully you return to your purpose.
Let’s build the rest of this year with intentionality, integrity, and impact.
With you on the journey,
Ntsoaki Sibiya
Peo ya Bahlakoana
Cultivating Excellence Through Mentorship
Ntsoaki Sibiya is a prominent South African entrepreneur who has established herself as an expert in the realm of mentorship and mindset transformation for mentees. As a successful businesswoman in a male dominated industry, she understands the potential of economic growth through the empowerment and mentorship of women.
Ntsoaki is the owner of a security company and has used her business acumen and personal journey of self-mastery to inspire and mentor women, helping them navigate the challenges of the business world. Her firm belief in the capabilities and potential of women has motivated her to become a strong advocate for their empowerment. Through her mentorship programs, Ntsoaki facilitates the growth and development of mentees by building their confidence and capabilities.
With her vast experience in business leadership, Ntsoaki is a sought-after speaker in conferences and workshops where she shares her knowledge on mentorship and mindset transformation. Her impact is felt not only in the business community but also across other sectors where she continues to inspire and empower women to thrive in their endeavors.
Her passion for mentorship and her unwavering commitment to the economic growth and development of women is truly remarkable, making her an exceptional role model for anyone seeking to make a positive impact in people's lives. www.tsoabelosolutions.co.za
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