Mentoring Notes With Peleg Top: Are You An Expert?
Lately I’ve noticed that some of my mentoring clients have a hard time seeing themselves as experts. They feel unworthy of using the word expert when they talk about themselves. Even though they know that if they positioned themselves as an expert in their field they would attract the kind of clients who are willing to pay higher fees, they continue to feel a block about claiming the expert label.
An expert is a person with extensive knowledge or ability based on research, experience, or occupation and in a particular field. An expert has, by virtue of credential, training, education, profession, publication or experience, special knowledge of a subject beyond that of the average person, sufficient that others may officially (and legally) rely upon the expert’s opinion.
Malcom Gladwell’s theory in Outliers (2008, Little, Brown and Company) says that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to master anything. The only requirement for the individual is to find the time for practice, have a strong desire to commit to the work, and practice, practice, practice until they achieve mastery.
If Gladwell is correct, based on a 40 hour work week, it will take you 4.8 years to become a master in your field and earn the expert label. We all know that we live and breathe our work more than 40 hours per week, so for many of you, the distance to expertise is probably less than five years.
You are undoubtedly already an expert in more areas than you realize. Your expertise is the foundation of your business so take some time and claim your areas of expertise.
Start by sitting down and writing a list of all the things you are an expert in. Be bold. And be generous with your self-assessment. Then ask 10 people to tell you the areas where they see you as an expert. Pay attention to what you hear from others as you may notice some patterns.
If you are reading this blog post and have been practicing your work for at least 5 years, chances are you already are an expert in what you do. It’s time to identify your areas of expertise so you can easily speak it to others. By doing so you will start feeling more confident and worthy of naming yourself as the expert I know you are.
Peleg Top is a business development coach and a life mentor who teaches creative business owners how to grow their business, make more money and live a happy life. Subscribe to Top’s monthly eMag POMEGRANTE or visit PelegTop.com and say hello.
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