As we try to improve ourselves and our businesses we are going to be faced by two consistent problems.
- Figuring out what we don’t know that we need to know.
- Figuring out how to acquire that skill once we know what that skill is.
The first part will take some detective work on our part. We can often figure out these things by looking for problems that are not permanently fixed. Notice I said permanently fixed. Most people solve problems with metaphorical duct tape. So start there look for your duct tape fixes.
Once we have one of those blindspots uncovered we can move on to fixing them.
Focussed Repetition is as they say is…
The mother of learning
I would add to that, that it is also The Father of action and The Pathway to Success.
There is a process that we all go through when we are picking up a new skill.
In fact, learning a skill has four distinct stages
1. Unconsciously Incompetent
2. Consciously Incompetent
3. Consciously Competent
4. Unconsciously Competent
Unconsciously Incompetent – We do not know what we do not know. Sometimes we might not know how to do something, or we might not know there is a need to do something. We may even deny that there is any use in a particular skill. That said… In order to improve, we must first learn to value the skill that we want to acquire, and then we have to recognise that the skill is needed.
Consciously Incompetent – We may not know how to do something, but we do know that something has value. We recognise there is a gap in our understanding or skillset and we recognise the value in trying to fill that gap. This is the beginning stage of competency. This is where we start making our first mistakes and we begin to correct them.
Consciously Competent – This is the stage where we know how to do something. That said, at this stage, we have to put deliberate effort into performing that skill. This requires focus and concentration. Often this is broken down into steps or tasks and there is a strong reliance on conscious involvement in performing the skill.
Unconsciously Competent – Through repetition and practice, the skill has become part of us. It is hardwired into our being. It can be performed with effortlessness or very little mental friction. The conscious part of us is no longer required to be involved.
10,000 hours. – A lot has been made of the 10k hours idea put forward by Malcom Gladwell. Most skills to Unconscious Competence do not take anywhere near that amount. The 10k rule is usually for people seeking world-class performance in very competitive fields.
The Stages of Improvement.
New Skill – Focus Until Competent – Repetition to Unconsciously Competent – Hone until mastery (if desired).
A quick note on becoming Unconsciously Competent too early. If you want to be truly excellent at something, then sometimes repetition is not enough. We can often become UC when we are just good enough. In some skills, you have to deliberately remain in Consciously Competent mode to reach that higher level before we switch to UC. Often greatness is achieved by those who delayed that switch. There are some skills where 80% good enough is enough, others require far higher. It will be for you to figure out which is which. It might be something that is already holding you back. (I already know this type of thinking is a good place to find these holes).
So here is something we can think about… If we are not where we really should be we have either a Blindspot or a competence problem. It’s only every one or the other. If we are to be the best we can be, firstly we have to figure out where we have holes and where we can fill them with competency. We also have to figure out just how much competency we need.
If you are new to the site or need some help to figure out any blind spots might have, then you might like to star HERE