“There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.” – Morpheus, The Matrix (I’ll spare you the video this time but you can find it here if you just can’t resist like me)
In part one I spoke of my experiment to identify my strengths. My signature themes being: Strategic, Ideation, Futuristic, Maximizer, and Self-Assurance. This post is about applying our inherent talents to our areas of expertise and passion. So, taking cues from Malcolm Gladwell’s “10,000 Hours” from Outliers combined with joint research conducted with Hank Lambert in 2007, I developed a concept of what I am calling a Proficiency Curve to illustrate this process.
The premise being that we all progress along a set path within any pursuit of particular interest.
- An Admirer is one who is drawn to particular subject matter but is content to be a passive consumer.
- An Appreciator is one who’s natural curiosity propels them to explore, learn and share their knowledge of the subject with others.
- A Collaborator is one who has genuine passion for the subject and has made significant contributions to the topic.
The Admirer is where we all start. Our knowledge of the subject is negligible but we like it nonetheless. I have an affinity for Renaissance painting but I don’t have the slightest idea, or passion for that matter, to learn the techniques used to create the great works.
Wine, however, has always been a passion of mine. I’ve spent years drinking it, studying it and even making it. I would still consider myself an Appreciator of the subject matter but not yet a collaborator (My contributions to the winedinewith.us blog and hobby winemaking, notwithstanding).
If you are reading this blog you’ll already know that I am a long time Collaborator and creator of technology. Even as I have been lucky to sustain a 20 year career, it hasn’t always been directed in areas I would consider fulfilling. In such situations, it is literally impossible to do your best work (Talent – Passion = Mediocrity).
What have I learned?
I still have a passion for creating technology products and services, specifically in the areas of New Media and Consumer Internet. Considering my current investment in this area, (~6,000 Hours), I have a ways to go to be the Best in the World so it’s time to double my effort.
I also noticed that if I’m not thinking of my next technology idea, I’m reading about, enjoying and sharing wine. It’s time to capitalize on my investment (~4,000 Hours) using the winedinewith.us blog to share ideas and adventures and maybe even start a new movement (or two) to Crush It.
What’s the point?
If you are like me, at mid-career and longing to make a difference, do the work that I’ve done here. Ask yourself some tough questions and be honest. If it helps, do it with a friend and create a mutual-coaching relationship like Hank and I are doing. Once you start focusing on the things that truly matter to you, the proficiency curve won’t appear so steep anymore and you’ll start earning a living doing what you love.
Idea: Proficiency Curve Revisited
Perhaps it is time for a service which pairs Collaborators and Appreciators within a particular subject area into a coaching situation. The Appreciator would essentially pay for the expertise from the Collaborator. Sort of like an internship between individuals. Once the Appreciator has become a Collaborator, they now can offer their services to others. We can call the new business model “The Learner-Earner System”
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I’ll leave you with the 6 lessons from Dan Pink’s, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko, The last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need:
- There is no plan.
- Think Strengths, not weaknesses.
- It’s not about you.
- Persistence trumps talent (my personal favorite)
- Make excellent mistakes
- Leave an imprint
Another of Dan Pink’s books that started me thinking about this differently was A Whole New Mind.
