Dad Level Expert

So you're setting goals now.  That's awesome!  Hopefully you're using the stretch and smart goals to actually make some progress.  But as you do, I issue a warning: at some point you're probably going to feel like an imposter.  It's okay.  We've all been there, suffering with imposter syndrome.  It's kind of how you feel when it sets in that you're going to be a Dad.  Who the hell let that happen?

And the thing about imposter syndrome is it pops up over and over again.  You'll have new mountains to climb and wonder where the heck to start.  Often you'll be ignoring all the mountains you've climbed to get where you are in the first place.

But consider this for a second.  Becoming and "expert" may not be that hard.  According to Sia Mohajer all it takes is reading 3 books to become an expert. Simply by reading three books on a specific topic you'll know more than a majority of the population.  

So how do you choose a topic?  Well according to the Talent Code, pick something that you see yourself doing for a long time, even if you don't end up sticking with it.

With the same amount of practice, the long-term-commitment group outperformed the short-term-commitment group by 400 percent. The long-term-commitment group, with a mere twenty minutes of weekly practice, progressed faster than the short-termers who practiced for an hour and a half. When long-term commitment combined with high levels of practice, skills skyrocketed.

So, if you convince yourself you're in it for the long haul, your brain will be more invested and soak up relevant information like a sponge.  Think about becoming a Dad, you probably noticed things about your child that you've never noticed about another human.  Maybe you've noticed the difference in the pitch of his or her cries.  When it comes to fatherhood, you know you're in it for the long-haul.

In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours to become world-class.  Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Oprah study 5-hours a day.  We've already talked about becoming a life long learner, but that can seem daunting even for the dedicated.  So start with three books.  It's a lot more manageable.  If you don't think you have the time, think about the TV Log or the Cell Phone tracking you've done.  (If you haven't done it, do it! You'll be amazed at how much time you could free up.) And for those who prefer to listen rather than read, there are always books on tape or audible.  So say goodbye to that imposter syndrome and get ready to share your new found knowledge with the world.

Have you dealt with imposter syndrome before?  Share your story and let us know how you managed to get past it.