If you were ever interested in learning something new, a new skill like driving, a sport or a pastime, it might be interesting and useful to know the four stages of learning. When you see that they are the normal natural steps that we go through when learning anything, it will help you to understand what point you are at and also to not lose faith or motivation, or to become frustrated.
The first stage is called “Unconscious Incompetence”. What this means is that before we even start to learn something, we are not even aware of what we don’t know or cannot do. We might become aware if we were asked a direct question about something, for example, or if a need to know something or be able to do it arises.
The next stage then is “Conscious Incompetence”. We become clearly aware of our incompetence just before we start to learn something and during the early stages of learning. This is a stage where people can become frustrated with their lack of skill or knowledge. But knowing that this is a natural stage in learning and that it will pass with continued work, can help us not to be frustrated with our progress. And maybe see it as a good sign, that you are already into the second of four stages of learning.
If we keep working/learning/practicing we will then progress on to the third stage, called “Conscious Competence”. You could almost cheer! At last, “competent”. It means that you can now actually do the thing that you have put so much work into learning. (Learning a language or riding a bike are very good examples. Maybe now you can speak some French, but you still have to think about it and prepare it in your head. You can stay upright on a bike, but you are still very self conscious and “pre-think” almost every move).
So “Conscious Competence” means that you can now do something, but you still need to concentrate consciously in order to do it well. And this stage is still a “practicing” stage. But if we persevere we will naturally develop onto the fourth and final stage.
The final stage of learning is called “Unconscious Competence”. Now we are naturally fluent and don’t even have to think about the thing that we can now do effortlessly. It’s as though it comes naturally to us. Using the example again of learning a language, this is when we don’t need to translate in our heads what we’ve just heard, or what we are about to say. We “just understand” and we almost think in that language. Similarly with most trades, skills or jobs. This is then when we have reached our most efficient and proficient. We perform at our best when we are performing “Unconsciously” (or Subconsciously).
We progress through these stages of learning even in something as simple as tying your laces.
Driving a car is an excellent example. Experienced drivers rarely think about where their hands or feet are. This is why, for the amount of traffic and associated dangers on roads, there are relatively few accidents. Because most drivers have become “Unconsciously Competent”.
“Practice makes perfect”. Repetition is the key to most learning. Keep at it!
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