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How to become an expert

I’m gonna give away a secret: You are already an expert in a bunch of areas. Feel free to think the opposite but check this post out, you may change your mind.

What is an expert?

According to Wiktionary an expert is

A person with extensive knowledge or ability in a given subject

OK…but what does extensive mean? Does it mean an expert needs to know everything about a topic or just a lot? In this case what is a lot?

To answer these question I’m gonna quote Tim Ferriss who give his own definition of expert in his book, The four-hour workweek:

First, “expert” in the context of selling product means that you know more about the topic than the purchaser. No more. It is not necessary to be the best.

Get this definition out of the selling context and you will discover the secret: You are an expert in a given area because you know more than most people.

Example: I’m fond of computer since I’m a kid. I started to play on Amstrad CPC, having just learned to walk. I had my first PC in 1990, when I was 6 years old and I continued to fuel this passion until today. I remember when I was a teenager, I spent more time in front of the computer than in front of my school textbooks, people around me always ask me questions about computer. I was not an expert but family and friends always come to me when they had computer related questions or issues. Why? Because for them I was an expert. Even if I was not the best one I know more in this topic than them.

How to become an expert

Accepting the fact you are already an expert in some areas you can apply this method to increase your knowledge in these fields or become an expert in a new domain.

Learn a few about a topic and you will know more than 80% of people about this topic.

• Read and understand top-selling books on this topic: It is the easiest way to learn. Ask a librarian or just look up on the Web using Amazon or Google. In a couple of hours you will know more than most people.
• Start a blog: Blogs are not only run by expert, they may help you to become one of these experts. In writing a blog you will need to search information or share with people. In a couple of months not only you will be an expert but also you will be regarded as an expert by readers of your blog.
• Attend a class, seminar or conference about this subject: One of the best way to become an expert is to learn from other experts. Check the course directory of the nearest university.

Assignment for today

Identify your domain(s) of expertise

Take a piece of paper and a pencil and keep thinking during five minutes about your domain of expertise. Which topic are you expert in? Answering this question is simple, you may try to answer the following question: what do you do regularly?
If you do gardening for instance I’m pretty sure you have already read a magazine about that or discuss with other gardeners. You are a so a garden expert.
If you listen Jazz music and you are able to identify different jazz styles or artists you are a jazz expert.

Feed and improve your domain(s) of expertise

1. Go to the library and find out the two or three best-selling books in your topic. Read and understand them.
2. Look up for one or two blogs written by other experts in this domain. Subscribe to them using RSS or Email.
3. Attend a seminar or conference in  the university or college close to you.

I did the first part of this assignment few months ago and these are my domains of expertise :

• Technologies (Computer related stuff, programming, Web…)
• Mac/Apple
• Sports (Running, Football, Soccer)
• Blogging
• Relationship/Seduction
  
• Personal development
• Electronic music
• Learning
• 80/20 Principle

And you? What are you expert in?

photo credit: bondidwhat

© 2008 Unbalanced man.