From Enthusiast to Expert, Now You Need to Be a Communicator. Of Your Expertise.

Something strange happens when a person gets interested in a topic.

They think about it constantly, immerse themselves in it, and learn as much about it as they can.

As a result of this constant exposure, they pick up new information, jargon, ways of looking at things, ways of doing things, and so on.

And then they try to explain what they know to people 'on the outside'.

And the 'outside people' don't quite understand, or they don't 'get it'.

If this has happened to you, you have crossed the line.

Into the realm of expertise.

And communicating your expertise effectively is the next step you'll have to take.

Help Those Who Cannot See What You Can, and Work With Those Who Can See What You Cannot

Being able to "see" doesn't always carry over.

I'm able to "see" the connections between disparate bits of information, the photograph before it's taken, and the potential branches of possible outcomes due to a word spoken or action taken.

But I'm not able to "see" the potential of a blank canvas (which happens to be an ability that my remarkable wife has when she looks at an empty or half-finished house), the video before it's recorded, or the flow of actions needed to put a piece of IKEA furniture (or any furniture, for that matter) together.

Often, I'm not even able to see an object that I'm looking for, that is right in front of me, but isn't in the orientation I expect it to be in.

What I'm able to "see" seems wondrous and magical to those who cannot, but the things that I cannot "see", I find amazing in those who can.

We're not all cut from the same cloth.

And I'm thankful for that.

First Time, Last Time? Not If You Have an Expert Guide!

It's scary being a first-timer.

Whether it's joining a new workplace, picking up a new hobby, or putting yourself out there on a social platform, it's all pretty daunting.

There are a thousand things to get wrong, and a thousand eyes watching you do it. At least that's what it feels like.

This is precisely when we need the experts, the old hands, the ones who have "been there, done that".

It's not that we can't figure it out for ourselves.

We just want to make fewer mistakes and rub fewer people the wrong way.

Novelty Leads to Change. Do We Like Only One, and Not the Other?

People like new things that are novel.

They don't like new things that bring change.

And yet, doesn't the former almost always lead to the latter?

As an expert in your field, you got to where you are based on your past experiences.

The future will not remain the same.

Hence the need for constant learning and updating.

That is, if you want to continue being a recognised expert in your field.