Many business owners struggle with this notion of “expertise,” feeling confident that they don’t know enough to be considered an expert by anyone. I also avoided that expert label for my first 5 years in the business, despite being very good at what I did. I was always comparing myself to other “experts” in the field and feeling sadly short on the experience meter of what I thought an expert should be.
As I reflect on those early years, I now have to laugh at my lack of self-confidence. The only thing that prevented me from declaring my experience was me. Granted, I’ve come across a few naysayers over the years who belittled my lack of experience in their industry and refused to talk to me anymore due to their skewed perceptions of my abilities. However, I have noticed that many of these types of people are stuck in their own fear, and it is easier for them to criticize others than to take any action to get ahead.
I also held myself back by filling my head with “shoulds”: someone else is doing this specifically, and I “should” be doing it too. However, well-meaning friends encouraged me that I “should” go in this direction. However, I let myself be distracted by BSOS (Shiny Object Syndrome) and headed in a direction I would later regret.
I wish I had someone from the beginning that really helped me shape my experience in my particular industry. After many wrong turns and many dead ends, I designed this list of questions to help you determine your experience and help you stand out from your peers.
1. What is easy for you? I always saw the things that came easy to me as things that everyone knew and was good at. I made the mistake that many people make: because it’s easy for me, it must be that easy for everyone. What is easy for you may in fact be easy for others, but in general that is not the case. Don’t discount all the skills, talents and abilities you have that seem to be innate; they are a vital key to excavating your experience.
2. What are you good at? Look at your skill set and how you spend your time. What kind of tasks, activities and experience are you good at? Make a list of them for this discovery process.
3. For what reasons do people ask for your help? Over the years, people have looked to him for his help and expertise in certain areas. Why did they come to you? What did you offer them? What benefit did they get from getting your help? What results did your attendance help them achieve?
4, What have you achieved based on what you know? Don’t overlook any of your experiences, as they can provide valuable clues to help you on this journey. Your achievements may include awards or accolades you’ve earned, or they may simply be achievements you’ve accomplished for yourself, your business, your life, or your clients.
5. What attracts you to learn naturally? You’ve been learning all your life, and some subjects are naturally more attractive to you. Some are so attractive that you learn about them just because you want to; there is no other reward or economic benefit for you. What kind of information do you absorb like a sponge?
6. What parts of your past work/volunteer experiences have been the most enjoyable? We’ve all had jobs we love and jobs we regret taking. What parts of your work experiences or volunteer stints did you like best? Did the enjoyment come from the tasks performed or the people you worked with or the environment you worked in?
7. What kind of tasks do you complete where time flies fast? Have you found yourself doing something and before you know it several hours have passed? Those are the types of tasks to consider in this question. When time passes effortlessly because you’re fully engaged, it’s a sure sign that you love whatever it is you’re doing.
8. What have you spent a lot of money and time to be good at? Your employer, friends, or spouse may force you to spend time learning things you don’t really want to learn as a condition of your employment or because you want to be a good friend or supportive spouse. Other than that, what do you spend your time and money on to learn more?
9. What major obstacles have you overcome in your life? Sometimes the setbacks, obstacles, and low points in our lives offer the best learning experiences. When I was 30 years old, I tore my life apart, moved across the country and started over as a single, divorced, jobless woman with only dreams of being self-employed. I glossed over that part of my life and didn’t share that story for several years because I was ashamed of my failed marriage and ashamed of the fact that I had to move back in with my mother for a short time to get my life back together. feet again. It took me a long time to realize that this experience of building a new virtual business from my small rural East Texas hometown using only connections made online and Internet marketing strategies was not simply a survival strategy, it was an example of how could I teach others to do the same. How can your obstacles serve as teachable moments for others?
10. What would you be doing if money was not an issue? If you were to win the lottery and then go on the world tour with your newfound wealth, you would eventually come home and realize that you need to do something to fill the endless days. Shopping on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills as Paris Hilton is sure to get old fast. So how would you spend your time from day to day?
Your insights, likes and dislikes, and life experiences are valuable clues to help you unlock your experience. Learn to value these experiences and realize that there are others who desperately need what you know and will benefit from this experience.
