How to joyfully grow from newbie to expert

How to move from being a newbie to an expert?  This tends to be a challenge.  However, read on to see how.

Newbie to expert

Getting started at anything is often basic or entry-level.  Be it at school, university, your first job, or a new skill.  The more you live by and experience them, the more they become second nature.

None was born a master.  You may have innate talents, however, you still have to hone them.  On the other hand, if you’re not gifted, seize the opportunity to learn.  

Influential expert?

Who is influential?  There are great personalities who have made history.  There are also contemporary famous people who lead in many industries.  

Anyone can make an impact as well.  You don’t have to be a star or celebrity.  Find a niche, know the exact problem, and solve it.

Build experience

You may not have realized that you are already competent in certain areas.  You can also grow personally and master it.  Start small and think big.

For example, if you have children, you may know how to get them to sleep at the right time.  New parents may be struggling to achieve that.  You can teach them the hacks!

Fight imposter syndrome

Whoever gets started at something, may feel like a fraud.  Do you ask yourself if you really can position yourself as accomplished?  Can you teach and lead others?

You don’t have to know everything.  To guide someone, you might just be a step or two ahead.  People feel connected to those who’ve been there before and can help.  Often, an explanation full of industry jargon only scares the receiver.

My blogging anecdote

I’m a corporate world escapee, who took the harsh decision of becoming self-employed.  For over 9 years (at the time of writing), I have operated from my home office.  Working on my terms, I’ve had a variety of experiences.

I started Tips from Sharvi, my self-improvement blog, over 4 years ago (at the time of writing).  Before starting, I asked myself if I could add value to other people’s lives.  

I already knew that my blog would be self-help.  I was living situations every day with solopreneur challenges.  I wanted to share tips to make people’s lives easier.

I have a degree in Business Administration.  Self-improvement is more relevant in the psychology field.  I’ve faced imposter syndrome like most people.

I published some articles, and over time, the quality improved.  I found many fellow bloggers through WordPress Reader, who still read my posts and interact.  Through their comments, they told me that my blog is helpful.

After my first blog anniversary, I got my first sponsored post!  Later on, more collaborations came.  I received affiliate agreements and started running ads.  Although I share what I experience at a simple level, blogging supports my readers.

A life lesson to keep is that you can be a novice, but keep going.  In some time, you’ll guide others who started after you.  Have a niche, be genuine and be yourself.

Lifelong learning

Embrace lifelong learning, as there is no age for it.  Always aim at knowing more and putting it to practice.  Improve gradually, and so will your learning curve.  If you can teach someone by having more knowledge, to them you’re a savior.

It can be a bit strange to say so, but you don’t always need tons of mastery to make an impact.  Often those who want help only need someone who has been there before recently.  If they hear a lecture from a doctoral degree holder, they might feel lost.  

The transformation that they need, can come from someone who is just a few steps above.  They relate to and trust such a person.  It’s essential to be in their shoes, not necessarily give high-level presentations or lectures.

There are various learning methods.  Find your best one or ones.  Take full advantage.

You may tend to prefer visuals, audio, reading, or practicing.  Which are the ways that you grasp better?  How do you retain it? Use these as a starting point to choose your best options. 

Life purpose

Knowing your life purpose is key.  If you put time, money, and energy into activities that aren’t meaningful, these are likely to be unfruitful.  Motivation tends to die out and results are lost.  Similarly,  choose the skill you want to excel in carefully.

I mentioned that I’m a corporate world escapee earlier in the article.  This is one example of how anyone could choose the wrong activities.  Whatever it is that you desire to achieve, work on it consistently and you’ll gain growth over time.

Some relevant models

The Dreyfus model of skill acquisition shows how learners can develop skills.  It highlights the stages of novice, competence, proficiency, expertise, and mastery.  It’s also based on 4 binary qualities, namely recollection, recognition, decision, and awareness.

I also came across Four Stages of Competence on Wikipedia.  It’s also known as the “conscious competence” learning model.  Progress from incompetence to competence in a skill. 

‘Bloom’s taxonomy is a set of three hierarchical models used for classification of educational learning objectives into levels of complexity and specificity….’ – read more on Wikipedia

Novice to expert levels

The definition of levels can be formal in educational programs.  Even professional bodies have their levels.  These are officially set and recognized.

When it comes to more informal activities, you can mentor or help someone.  That’s why in many cases, being just two steps ahead of others is valuable.  In the end, what counts is the impact you’ve made by helping someone else. 

Stay motivated

Last but not least, it’s crucial not to give up.  There will be times when you may feel discouraged.  Life gets in the way.  However, remain consistent or take a break and get back.

Self-motivation helps to persevere.  Discipline supports you better.  Adopt daily habits that are conducive to working smarter. 

Conclusion

As long as a skill or activity is meaningful to you, embrace it.  Start small, grow gradually and consistently.  Which are the skills that you’ve already embraced, moving from a newbie to an expert?