🙋‍♂️ Learning path

As a lifelong learner and explorer, I noticed similar patterns in studying and mastering skills among my students, mentees, and colleagues. I divided the learning path into 5 levels: from newbie to expert.

Note, all numbers are relative and are subject to change.

Level 1 Newby

People, who heard about the skills, and profession but have no idea how hard it's going to be and how to learn stuff. During this period, people don't have any valuable information. But if they are interested, it's really easy to jump into the next round.

Level 2 Beginner

If the interest was high enough then one might decide to dive deeper and find some books or courses. During this period, it's very important to find the right courses or mentors to follow, give plenty of time to learning to learning and start completing as many projects as possible.

And if your desire is strong enough to get through the difficulties, you become specialist and start earning money with the skills you have.

Dunning-Kruger Effect for Beginners

Many people stop improving during this stage because they believe they know enough. That's where they stop getting better and stuck on the same job for 30 years.

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a type of cognitive bias in which people believe they are smarter and more capable than they are. Essentially, low-ability people do not possess the skills needed to recognize their own incompetence.

Level 3 Specialist

During this period, people already understand the field, what they are capable of. They usually can prepare roadmap with the help of mentor and execute it. Most of people earn enough money and can afford themselves to retire from growth (which is completely okay. Please, don't torture yourself).

Note,

• Some people reach this stage too quickly without rest and get burned out.
• Only a few percent of people continues to give enough time and energy to become master.

Level 4 Master

Masters are wise enough to start making projects with the help of other people (their team), they have enough skills in the field and starting to become better as managers.

A lot of masters become managers and don't use their skills directly, but help other people to get better.

Impostor Syndrome for Masters

Masters are prone to impostor syndrome. Use the (following)[#level-5-coloredtagexpertcoloredtag] charts to understand your actual level and stop torturing yourself.

Impostor syndrome, also known as impostor phenomenon or impostorism, is a psychological occurrence in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud.

Level 5 Expert

You know them, the people who change the way we understand things: Roger Federer, Leo Messi, The Beatles, etc.

People put their lives to reach this level.

Overview