Comments on: The Three Things You Need to Become an Expert in Anything http://www.wardontheweb.com/the-three-things-you-need-to-become-an-expert-in-anything/ Valuable Insights for Better Websites Wed, 11 Aug 2010 01:51:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Aside: 7+1 Personal Finance Tips for Web Professionals : Ward on the Web http://www.wardontheweb.com/the-three-things-you-need-to-become-an-expert-in-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-96 Aside: 7+1 Personal Finance Tips for Web Professionals : Ward on the Web Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:31:43 +0000 http://www.wardontheweb.com/?p=54#comment-96 [...] fantastic individuals, who struggled financially despite their earnings. What is the point of growing your expertise, your career potential, and your paycheck if you never get ahead because of poor financial [...] [...] fantastic individuals, who struggled financially despite their earnings. What is the point of growing your expertise, your career potential, and your paycheck if you never get ahead because of poor financial [...]

]]> By: Stephen Ward http://www.wardontheweb.com/the-three-things-you-need-to-become-an-expert-in-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-88 Stephen Ward Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:29:52 +0000 http://www.wardontheweb.com/?p=54#comment-88 When it comes to being thrust into positions of expertise without having any of these three things, San, I am reminded of <a href="http://www.wardontheweb.com/death-of-the-computer-guy/#comment-79" rel="nofollow">my conversation with Boris</a> over on Death of the Computer Guy. Boris boldly proclaimed that he was the mythical expert in all things computer-related, all the while admitting that he was essentially good at faking it until he learned the ropes of whatever he was doing. I think that's the key. If you're forced to be the expert in something, the best way to do it is to step up. Learn as much as you can, project confidence (even if you don't feel it right away), and speak your mind on the subject. Eventually, what was a facade will become the truth if you work at it. Mind you, I don't advocate that as the best way to become an expert, only the best way to do it if the mantle of expertise is thrust upon you. It's the better alternative to saying you're not up to the task. I think an employer would frown more on that than if you simply tried your best and stumbled a few times. Besides, situations like that are great ways to expand your resume. Just try to look at them as on-the-job learning opportunities. ;) When it comes to being thrust into positions of expertise without having any of these three things, San, I am reminded of my conversation with Boris over on Death of the Computer Guy. Boris boldly proclaimed that he was the mythical expert in all things computer-related, all the while admitting that he was essentially good at faking it until he learned the ropes of whatever he was doing.

I think that’s the key. If you’re forced to be the expert in something, the best way to do it is to step up. Learn as much as you can, project confidence (even if you don’t feel it right away), and speak your mind on the subject. Eventually, what was a facade will become the truth if you work at it.

Mind you, I don’t advocate that as the best way to become an expert, only the best way to do it if the mantle of expertise is thrust upon you. It’s the better alternative to saying you’re not up to the task. I think an employer would frown more on that than if you simply tried your best and stumbled a few times.

Besides, situations like that are great ways to expand your resume. Just try to look at them as on-the-job learning opportunities. ;)

]]> By: San http://www.wardontheweb.com/the-three-things-you-need-to-become-an-expert-in-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-87 San Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:14:13 +0000 http://www.wardontheweb.com/?p=54#comment-87 I can relate to this post in so many ways. It seems in my post-college career I've been not so much as forced into positions but more so brought into positions people think I'm an expert at (but I'm really not). This can be positive and negative. Let me explain... It can be negative because once you're brought into that position if you make a mistake they frown upon you and think "oh she's a fraud..a fake". Then you lose credibility and people no longer listen to you or go to your for advice and/or help. However on the contrary, when you learn from those mistakes, read articles and books on your subject of "expertise", and speak with other more seasoned people in the field you get better. After reading this post and applying it to my life, I think I'm okay with #1. You can always learn things, apply what you learn, and then use common sense the rest of the way. As far as #2 and #3 go...I think I may need to improve. For some reason some people are confident in me but I'm not so confident in myself. I know it's my fear of failure, and it will one day be my downfall or the brick wall that keeps me from going as far as I would like to go. Then if anyone knows me...they know I'm not a very loud person. :0) Great post Stephen. Really makes you step back and asses what you (or others) think you have expertise in. I can relate to this post in so many ways. It seems in my post-college career I’ve been not so much as forced into positions but more so brought into positions people think I’m an expert at (but I’m really not). This can be positive and negative. Let me explain…

It can be negative because once you’re brought into that position if you make a mistake they frown upon you and think “oh she’s a fraud..a fake”. Then you lose credibility and people no longer listen to you or go to your for advice and/or help.

However on the contrary, when you learn from those mistakes, read articles and books on your subject of “expertise”, and speak with other more seasoned people in the field you get better.

After reading this post and applying it to my life, I think I’m okay with #1. You can always learn things, apply what you learn, and then use common sense the rest of the way. As far as #2 and #3 go…I think I may need to improve. For some reason some people are confident in me but I’m not so confident in myself. I know it’s my fear of failure, and it will one day be my downfall or the brick wall that keeps me from going as far as I would like to go. Then if anyone knows me…they know I’m not a very loud person. :0)

Great post Stephen. Really makes you step back and asses what you (or others) think you have expertise in.

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