The better you are at learning, and the deeper you get into your competence, the more likely you’re not going to find teachers who can teach you anything theoretical anymore unless they are extremely competent or very specialized (just so you know what to look for). You likely need to learn by doing and watching. And doing. And doing.
In fact, we often find that Learners learn best from tight observance of other people being excellent at something. Not to copy what they do, but to watch how they get from step to step, and what their process looks like, versus the process of people who aren’t as skilled. (Or versus “my” process, if I’m the Learner.)
When you notice that someone else is getting an outcome you’re not getting, and you’re an extremely adept Learner, you can more likely see what they’re doing that you aren’t, and if you’re very, very adept, you can see how to bridge those gaps. (Or if you watch enough different people closely enough.)
This often means that taking one more class is going to be “nugget” territory, rather than theoretical increase of skill territory. (You can get a “nugget” from a book that cost you $25. But if your nuggets are costing you $500, your ability to learn is going to be inhibited by your bank account.)
(For instance, if you’re considering coming to our conference, please do the work to make sure it’s content you want and need, and ask whether it will be helpful or not, and don’t spend the money unless you need to. That’s such a key for long-term sustainability.)
You will never feel competent enough. So don’t take courses just to gain competence. Most of you are likely in nugget territory. And if you’re going to pay for courses, be rigorous about the application. Don’t just try to theoretically learn. Make yourself practice when you take courses. That’s a level-up for your Learner.
This deep thought is brought to you by having a week of deep conversations with my #1 Learner friend who is one of the most adept Learners I’ve ever met, followed by a day of deep conversations with my friend who is a #2 Learner and one of the most adept Learners I’ve ever met. Followed by a theoretical deep dive into gamification. I love Learners.
Learners loving learning can become an expensive hobby after a while, y’all. (I say this after canceling Masterclass for the fourth time, though, so… pot, meet kettle.)
– Becca