Surfing to Expert Status Without Even Knowing It

Written on October 12, 2011 by in Uncategorized

 

4057820548 55cdecfc7d Surfing to Expert Status Without Even Knowing It

 

I don’t surf. I won’t even pretend to know where to start when it comes to surfing. If I was ever going to start surfing and I wanted to know where to start, there is one guy that comes to mind. We all know that Srini plans a day around the surf conditions. We also know that Srini doesn’t write directly about surfing or even claim to be an expert surfer but that doesn’t mean he isn’t. It also doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t want to pick his brain if I was going to start surfing.

There are certain lessons that you never learned in school that make you an expert at something. The skills that you have picked up over time help to comprise who you are but they may also have some additional value. It might be surfing or it might be knitting. Whatever it is that you do frequently, you’re probably an expert at it. By now I am sure you know all about the 10,000 hour rule.

 You’re an Expert

I hope you’ll forgive me for forgetting where I heard this first but you are an expert whenever you know the most about any subject when compared to anyone else in the room. Sometimes we think of expert status as something we might never achieve. The day that you are ready to consider yourself an expert is the day that you can truly chase your dreams.

Experts have authority and can build themselves up as consultants, speakers and even become published authors. You can even use your expert status to launch a new career or business. I am sure that when you start to think about all of the things that you enjoy doing, you will find something that you are truly an expert at. The problem is that maybe nobody knows about your expertise.

Finding Your Soapbox

Building up your authority in any field will take time. Just because you have realized that you are an expert, doesn’t mean that everyone is going to break down your door to work with you.Start with your family and friends. Help them find solutions to their problems that are related to what you are trying to build your authoritative status in. They’ll start recommending you to their friends and family, then soon your will find that you are the go-to-person whenever someone is having a problem relating to your expertise.

During the initial stages, you may have to set your rates lower than what is standard. Fortunately you won’t have to keep you low rates for long because as your authority grows, so can your rates.Before you realize it, you will be considered an expert in an area that you truly are passionate about. You’ll also be able to support yourself from doing something that you would happily do for free.

What are you an expert at? Why aren’t you offering that as a service?

Matt Hooper just launched a brand new training program called The WordPress Course that enables you to learn WordPress in just a single weekend. He writes about how to build an internet presence and you can get his free report, “A Beginner’s Guide To Building An Internet Presence”.



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Rob

Hey Matt,

Everyone starts somewhere. We often forget this as we set out to conquer our little slice of life. Francisco Cervelli hasn't a chance to compare himself to Jorge Posada (right now). But fortunately, he doesn't need to. Posada started in the same position as Cervelli. A back-up catcher for the New York Yankees. Many times we see the success of a person and have the notion that a person 'just has it'.

We need to realize the daily grind put in to reach that level. If we do that and commit to the grind, it awaits us also.

Matt, I especially love that Godin line (in the comments).

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Matt Hooper

Hi Rob,

It's often easy to not even try because we dismiss the value of hard work. Nobody was born a NY Yankee and not everyone gets the opportunity to be one either.

Surfers surf, catchers catch and doers do. Period.

- Matt

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Justin | Mazzastick

Hi Matt,
I am an expert at Garden/ Landscaping and also Personal development.

I am a Landscaper by trade and I started my personal development blog back in January 2011.

I believe that many of us are experts we just need to be able to see ourselves that way.

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Srinivas

Justin,

Thanks for sharing. I think that when we start to see ourselves as an expert at a particular craft our actions align accordingly. It's pretty interesting how that works.

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Matt Hooper

Justin, it's great that you can see yourself as an expert and start branching out. Good luck with your blog!

- Matt

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Matt Hooper

Thanks for the lengthy reply Archan. I agree that it's easy to recognize someone as an expert because they have letters after their name or because they have got themselves on to a major network.

However, there are experts that we interact with everyday that would not be considered as experts by traditional conventions. I doubt that we would ever see a muffler mechanic on a show like Oprah. But we take our cars to these types of experts all the time. It's important to not discount these experts.

I agree that we like to buy from people that are approachable or share common interests with. Being personable is always a better way of attracting potential customers. Listen first.

Thanks again for your comments.

- Matt

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Archan Mehta

Matt,

Thanks for stopping by: I appreciate your comments.

The fact is, there are types and types of experts. Yes, even muffler mechanics can be considered experts even if they don't always make news.

There are experts you don't see on TV; who live out their lives in relative obscurity despite the fact that they are financially comfortable.

We don't always hear about such success stories, which is fine. In a world where everybody is a star, nobody is a star. In that case, star loses catchet.

True, we must not discount such people. In fact, they are among the counted. Without them, we would not be able to get our lives back on track, literally. We need all kinds of people in this world; all sorts of professions. Even a plumber should be valued because he/she contributes.

The problem is, we live in an era that worships celebrities for their own sake and people who create news for all the wrong reasons: Charlie Sheen, OJ Simpson, Paris Hilton, Brittney Spears, etc.

It is time to learn how to separate the wheat from the chaff. Cheers.

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Matt Hooper

Hi Archan,

I don't want to get hung up on the semantics of the words but one doesn't need to be a star in order to be an expert. If one has a service or is able to create a product that appeals to a group of people that are willing to pay you for it, then go for it.

More specifically, people shouldn't wait until they can get onto a large stage before setting up shop. Seth Godin often talks about this when he encourages people to stop waiting for permission and take control. This is also something that guys like Chris Anderson spoke about in the "Long Tail" and was further explored in "1,000 True Fans" by Kevin Kelly.

It's easy to dismiss one's merits simply because they don't have a few letters after their name or because they haven't shown up on Oprah or Larry King.

We can agree to have a difference of opinions, that's okay with me. I appreciate your comments, thanks.

- Matt

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Archan Mehta

Thank you, Matt, for contributing this post. It was great of Srini to have you here as a guest blogger.

However, "expert status" is easier said than done. In order to have credibility, you need to build credibility--and it may take time. And more time.

So, you need to be patient before you begin to see results. And getting results is not easy at all.

You can gain "expert status" by pursuing formal education: a Ph.D. or M.B.A. or M.D. after your name can do wonders for your self-image and your USP in the marketplace of ideas and information.

It also helps to publish: articles, poems, short stories, letters to the editor, novels, books. Every step counts; no achievement is too small here.

Visibility and publicity are also key, so make sure to get yourself on the Oprah Winfrey Show or one of the major news networks, Larry King, Dave Letterman, Saturday Night Live, Jay Leno, Conan O' Brian, etc.

If you want to sell your product or service, you need to have a great public relations strategy and you need to stick to it and persevere on a regular basis.

The "feel good" factor is what separates you from the also-rans, so make sure your target audience knows about you through the media and other channels.

People like to buy from people they know and like and people with whom they share common interests.

If you come across as humble, approachable, smiling, willing to help and go the extra mile, people are more likely to buy from you.

By contrast, if you come across as an arrogant shmuck and a snake-oil salesman, chances are you can kiss your American Dream good-bye, consider premature retirement, and live off the land in the great state of Montana. Have a good one. Cheers.

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Srinivas

Archan,

I think you know my thoughts on the letters at the end of your name. I think I might have to write a blog post about that :). I have a few about 5 letters at the end of my name and the only thing they have proved my expertise in is poor investment choices and a lack of ability to sit in a classroom. I don't think you can buy your way to expert status. You have to work your way to it and that means going through the motions, living through the dip and coming out of the other side with a smile on your face because in the end it was completely worth it. Poetic comments as always my friend,

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Archan Mehta

Srini,

Thank you for your comment.

I appreciate your point of view.

My point is, the job market still does value your educational qualifications, although you may feel like you have wasted your time.

Try to find a job without any college education and you will see the difference.

If you ever decide to teach, your educational credentials will also come in handy. And you would make a fine teacher, in my opinion.

Also: the job market is not restricted now only to the U.S. As Matt knows, it is a world-wide job market, so your American degrees can get you far.

There are types and types of jobs. Some require formal credentials, whereas others require only skills.

Steve Jobs had amazing skills, so he was a success as a "product innovator," but there are still millions of jobs out there which will still have a basic educational requirement.

At least this has been my experience. Studies have also backed up this claim. Cheers.

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Betsy Cross

I think sticking with something so that people know what you're all about is key. That and self-promotion. I'm learning how to weed out supporters from those people that really want what I have to offer. Friends and relatives are a great start, especially if they spread the word. But it's thrilling to have strangers find you. Then you know they're not just being kind!

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Matt Hooper

I believe that you are right Betsy. Small wins made up of steady effort and perseverance will all add up. Whenever strangers start to connect with you because of your passions, it's always exciting. The key is to keep moving forward.

- Matt

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Srinivas

Betsy,

You bring up a great point about sticking with something. I'm no expert at surfing as Matt pointed out, but if you stick with anything long enough you will develop that skill far beyond where you are when you start out. It is great when strangers start coming to you for advice isn't it? That means you're starting to be viewed as an expert by enough people that those who don't know you trust that you are.

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