So You Want To Become An Expert?

Practice makes perfect, so whether you want to become a great public speaker, a pro poker player or the best retail assistant that has ever existed, here are all the tips you’ll ever need to become an expert at becoming an expert.

Be Informed

Before you can become an expert at anything you must first figure out what it takes and decide if you are capable. It’s all well and good to believe that you can do anything you put your mind to, but you may find that after a few weeks you don’t want to put your mind to it anymore. This is why it is incredibly important to research your chosen field before you begin.

For example, 888poker have created an educational eBooklet that not only teaches individuals how to become pro poker players, but explains also how challenging, time-consuming and sometimes even draining the process can be. Sure, they want to support your interest in becoming a professional, but they are also very realistic about what it takes. You should attempt to find resources or ask your mentor (more on that in a second) what your ambition really requires, and decide whether you really want to give it a go.

Find Yourself a Mentor

When asked about his research on the “10,000-hour rule”, which holds that 10,000 hours of practice are needed to become an expert in any field, K. Anders Ericsson stated that mentors were a crucial part of the process. However, simply working with someone who is already great at what you want to become an expert at is not enough.

According to Shane Snow, the author of Smartcuts, a mentor should be more than a fly-on-the-wall-style guide. "In great mentorship relationships, the mentor doesn’t just care about the thing that you're learning, they care about how your life goes, Snow told Time. "They are with you for the long haul. They are willing to say, 'No,' and to tell you what you’re doing is wrong."

Take Naps

This has to be our favourite tip of all as it not only encourages you to have a good night’s sleep, but also little

Naps can only make your life better if research is anything to go by. According to a study conducted at the University of California, San Diego, naps that range from an hour to ninety minutes contain slow-wave deep sleep and REM. Researchers found that individuals tended to do 30% better in their evening tests than they did if they hadn’t had an hour-long nap during the day. So, if you want to get better faster, make sure you get enough sleep – including naps./p>

If you commit to being informed, finding a mentor and getting the rest you need, your journey to becoming an expert is sure to be a lot more efficient. Plus, chances are you will be happier in the long run as you will have all the tools you need.