CYBLN 028: Four Stages of Learning In Being An Entrepreneur

[Click to Subscribe To iTunes]

[Podcast #28] These Four Stages Of Learning Are Important To Remember When Attempting Anything New

Summary Show notes:

In this episode I share the steps to learning as it applies to becoming an entrepreneur during the midlife stage of life. I use the analogy of learning to use Twitter and what that was like for me. I walk through the steps of learning to give you an idea of the application.

Acknowledging the frustrations that accompanies new learning is one way to realize that you fall within  this learning curve. As it’s true about anything that we do, practice becomes progress. You might have thought I was going to say “practice becomes perfect”, which is what we normally hear. However, perfection is an illusion in this life. No one can ever become perfect at anything. It’s also important to realize that you and I will never know everything. So, to say you don’t know, is an okay statement and one that I would recommend you get familiar with saying.

[You can read a full post I made on this subject here]

Also, if you know someone who is in midlife who might benefit from this podcast, would you send them this link and have them listen to this podcast and leave a feedback.

This is a condensed version of the full blog post as mentioned in the link above.

Stage 1: Unconscious Incompetence

“I don’t know that I don’t know.” This is the stage of being downright ignorant of something before learning begins.

Illustration: Using Twitter:

Using the example of learning to use Twitter, there was a time that I had no idea what that was much less how to use it. I don’t know that I don’t know.

Stage 2: Stage of Conscious Incompetence

“I know, that I don’t know.” This is the most difficult stage, where learning begins, and where we are the hardest on ourselves. At this stage most judgments against self are formed. Here is the clincher: This is the stage that you will feel like giving up. You are realizing all that you don’t know.

Twitter illustration continued:

When I began learning to use Twitter, I realized there was a whole lot more to it, which became a little daunting. There were so many different things to learn.

In this stage I made lots of mistakes, and thought that I was not tech-savvy enough even though I have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science. I made judgments against myself for not already knowing how to master it. These mistakes are necessary to learning even though at the time, I thought otherwise. I failed to remember that learning is essentially experimental and experience-based, trial and error. Its the practicing that would eventually make perfect.

Stage 3: Conscious Competence

“I know that, I know.” This stage is where you might breathe a little easier than the previous stage, but it is still a bit uncomfortable and you’ll still feel somewhat self-conscious. You are now beginning to get a grasp on what you are working on. You are still careful with what you do, wanting to make sure you’re getting it right.

Twitter illustration continued:

As I practiced using Twitter, I began to feel a lot better, even though not very smooth or fluid with my tweets. It wasn’t as overwhelming and stressful as it was in the previous stage. I had moved into this third stage.

Stage 4: Unconscious Competence

“I know that I know that I know.” The final stage of learning a skill is when it has become a natural part of you; you don’t have to think about it. It’s almost automatic – second nature.

Twitter illustration continued:

Even though I would not necessarily see myself as an expert on Twitter, it is more fluid and automatic in some areas of use. So for those areas, I can say I’m at this fourth stage. You could say I’m between stages 3 and 4, but more 4 than 3. Confusing? I hope not. 

I would love to hear what your thoughts are on this discussion.  So, take a few minutes and leave a comment within the comment section down below.  Thanks in advance.

Also, would you please rate this podcast on iTunes and leave a brief review by clicking on view in iTunes and then click the review tab. Don’t forget to subscribe as well. That would help tremendously in getting the word out! Thanks.