Too many people look in too many other directions, other than at themselves for why they are failing. It is a sobering thought for some of us when we come to the realization that where we are is the combined result of the decisions we have made and the actions we have taken.

I see this as a positive because if I can get to this destination without a map, and with little effort. Then it also means that with effort, planning and the right mindset – I can change my location by setting my eyes on a new destination. It’s that whole “Windshield” “Rear View Mirror” thing. Know what I mean?

A lot of people are afraid to start something new and different because it is just that – new and different to them.

Others fail to start because in the heart of hearts they fear they might succeed. Their self esteem is so low that they are afraid to begin because they really do not believe they deserve success, or even happiness.

And then there are those who fail to engage simply because they allow life and all its myriad wonders and tragedies to just happen. They don’t engage at all, in anything. Whether this is abject despair or laziness. I cannot say because I am sure it is unique to each individual.

Rather than being afraid to start, I want to encourage you to stand up and be counted. The world deserves to hear from you, your passion and your expertise. You are the only you that will ever be and the world deserves to hear you. Your voice in full exultant roar as you joyously exclaim what passion you have for whatever that thing is … you know “That thing you do.”

Simon Black at the University of Kent has a very nice progression for the climb, or the stairs of competence. It lays out an easily understood graphic. He calls it the “Tour of Competence” and still others have referred to this as The Stages of Learning.

NOVICE: When you start – you don’t know what you don’t know. You are Unconsciously Incompetent.

ADVANCE BEGINNER: As you continue to learn – you know what you don’t know. Therefore, you are Consciously Incompetent.

PROFICIENT: Moving into experience with some savvy – you have to think about it, but now you are capable of performing well. You are Consciously Competent.

EXPERT: This is where knowledge, expertise and savvy all weave together for efficiency. You no longer have to think about what to do, things are simply instinctively done. You are Unconsciously Competent. This is not to say that you don’t learn – because of course you do.

MASTERY: This should be our goal. To be such an expert, that even the experts come to learn from and with you. This is a level of competence that is literally at another level. Perhaps a better way to explain this is to call it Anticipatory Expertise. You just have that innate sense of what to do because you instinctively have a feel for what is happening.

As you digest that, consider; Archibald MacLeash once said “There is only one thing more painful than learning from experience and that is not learning from experience.”

Malcom Gladwell in his book “Outliers” suggests that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become truly expert at some skill, task or industry. We can move into the same class of experts by learning from experts and applying their lessons and following their plans.

If someone is truly expert, we will see that they are expert simply because they demonstrate this fact on a regular basis. Their brilliance is not an accidental flash in the pan, but a steady, daily practice of doing the right things over and over again because they know what to do.

I encourage you to take the time to read each article in this series. If you really want to make more money, then you need to find someone who can see you where are, help you understand how to reposition what you already have, and then execute a program to get you stratospheric in your results.

Recently I became acquainted with Milena Regos, as part of our guest expert series. She focuses on helping coaches be better coaches that actually get paid. I like how she relates that everyone should ask themselves the question why, not once, not twice, but five times. She finds that it is difficult to be honest and get much deeper than a series of 5 questions.

Read the rest of this 12 Article Series Arc… I would love to learn where the articles take you, and as well, learn if I can be of service to you. !Click Here! For the next article in the series (of 12) because I have more for you! Stories, Statistics and Content designed to help you with your small business, sales position, or side hustle!

In the meantime, thanks for reading! Please “like” this article/post and “follow” me here and on LinkedIn. I am really working hard to provide value and be of service to the Business community at large, and specifically on LinkedIn as well.