If you are congratulations!
Do you think I’m crazy?
You might be partially right, but that is another story…
As far as congratulating you on being a conscious incompetent, I’m perfectly sane, because this means that you are aware of the areas you need to develop to become a more fulfilled person.
Initially described as ‘Four Stages for Learning Any New Skill’, the learning model developed by Noel Burch (The Gordon Training International) suggests that individuals are initially unaware of how little they know.
They don’t know what they don’t know so they are in a state of unconscious incompetence.
Before they can move to the next stage they must become aware of their own ‘incompetence’ or ignorance, and understand the value of the new skill. That is why they evolve to the stage of conscious incompetence.
Once they recognize their need to learn, they consciously acquire a skill and start to consciously use it.
They now know how to do something. However, demonstrating the skill or knowledge requires concentration.
This is the stage of conscious competence.
Let’s take the example learning to dance salsa, for instance.
Salsa is a dance that has its origins in Cuba and is generally associated with the salsa music style, although it can be danced to any 8-count rhythm music.
(Screenshot from Youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5zCGgZMaWQ)
Many people have probably never heard of salsa dancing – unconscious incompetence.
One day they see it danced and fall in love with the rhythm. They think it would be great if they could do it – conscious incompetence.
They start learning it. The teacher breaks it down into steps and there is heavy conscious involvement in executing the new skill. They have to think about every move… conscious competence.
Finally they get better and better and they let themselves go with the music! They don’t have to think about it because it now comes natural to them.
They have achieved unconscious competence!
So, being conscious incompetent is the second step of mastering any skill!
Become aware of which skills will help you to be more successful and happy, and start the journey to become unconscious competent at it!
