Build Confidence by Sharing Your Expertise
We each know more about something than someone else. In other words, there will always be someone out there who knows less than we know about a particular topic, even if we still have much to learn about it. This special skill or knowledge is what makes us experts. But we have to give away the knowledge we have in order to experience the confidence that comes with being an expert.
I suggest the following three steps to help you celebrate your expertise and develop your personal confidence in the process.
1. Identify your special skill or knowledge. What do you know how to do really well? What do you know a whole lot about? What hobbies do you have that you love to spend time doing and have become an expert in? Expertise doesn’t necessarily require knowledge in a technical area. I’ve met experts at creating elaborate meals on a budget, managing a profitable home daycare business, and building greenhouses for growing the most beautiful orchids. Identify what you know how to do better than most other people.
2. Share your special skill or knowledge with others. Believe it or not, there are many people who have no idea how to tackle or approach the very activity or subject you already know so much about. This is what makes you an expert. Find opportunities to share your knowledge with people interested in your subject. Teach a class for your college’s continuing education program. Speak on your subject at a local library or high school. Offer a few tips to clubs, organizations, or associations. Write an article on the subject for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, or newsletter.
3. Build upon your special skill or knowledge. Continue investing in your expertise by further developing your knowledge on the subject. Take online classes, read articles, attend workshops, or join associations that focus on your area of interest. Keep learning as much as possible about your subject matter and continue to nurture your passion and knowledge of it.
