What does it mean to
be an ‘Expert’
So what does this word ‘expert’ mean for the general public
and the population as a whole.
Beginning as a child – we thought we were experts in riding
bicycles and kid’s scooters until we fell off! Today many kids would believe
they’re experts in roller skating, swimming, running, playing football, etc. Of
course as kids we are not experts. However, feeling like an expert is very
motivating.
When we think of someone who has a special skill or knowledge
derived from training, this could be any one of us. We have so many different
ways of learning these days that its now much easier to learn a skill,
especially as there are many distance learning courses, plus all the books you
can imagine.
In obtaining the knowledge, an expert has a specific area of
focus as to what they want to learn in order to practice that skill over and
over again so as to become an expert in it.
We learn something new most weeks, if not days. If you put
your mind to something, and obtain the knowledge and skills to practice these
skills daily, you would eventually become an expert.
Thinking of the word ‘service’, being an expert is
in-service of something for which you have been specially trained.
My mother was an expert at cooking because everything she
cooked tasted delicious, except the scrambled eggs and spinach she once decided
to give me as I was lacking in iron and I have never forgotten the experience
to this day! However, I still recognize her as an expert, especially when she
organized special occasions like parties and Christmas. These are occasions I
will never forget.
Researchers don’t become experts over night. We know that
its taking decades to produce medicine that will combat serious illnesses such
as cancer, although great strides have been made in the last ten years in
different treatments.
There are experts in physics at CERN (European Organization
for Nuclear Research, Geneva) who are going to do a very expensive experiment
very shortly that will give the results of the ‘Big Bang’ – at least that’s the
reason for the experiment.
I believe I’m an expert life coach as clients have said they
have achieved their goals as a result of my coaching. I have a special niche
for those who have lost their jobs earlier than expected and for those who are
in pre-retirement and who may need a plan for the rest of their lives. They are
certainly looking to see how they can develop themselves further in their later
years with zest and fulfillment towards a new life plan. So people think of me as
an expert in retirement coaching.
So the bottom line is that you can call yourself an expert
if the work or service completed gives the required results. Meaning that
complete satisfaction on the part of the person who is receiving the service
will have met their goals.
This may sound a little too simple especially if you have lots
of knowledge of a particular subject but you have had no feedback on how you
are using the knowledge. I believe the only way we know is through feedback –
asking people what they think about your services or work. Along these same
lines, if you have created a website and no-one knows about it, your knowledge
will never be appreciated. You could be the expert that someone who is just
around the corner wants to discover!
If you are asking the question: When will I know I am an
expert? I believe I have answered your questions in this article. If not drop
me a line to:
carole(at@please-replace)too-active-to-retire.com,
www.too-active-to-retire.com
Thanks Carole for your contribution to our 'Expert' question.
kindest regards
Diane
achieve your success
