Once You Reach This Stage, You Can Crack Anything!

Summary

This video explains a six-stage model of learning—starting with unconscious incompetence, moving to conscious incompetence, then conscious competence, unconscious competence, mastery, and finally becoming legendary. The presenter argues the biggest leap is recognizing what you don’t know (unconscious → conscious incompetence), because awareness points you to what to change. Practical examples—learning to ride a bike or study for an exam—illustrate how conscious practice turns effort into automatic skill. The video also contrasts quick, focused learning (the ‘20-hour’ rule for basic competence) with long-term dedication (roughly 10 years) needed to reach true mastery.

Takeaways

• 😀 The six stages of learning apply to any skill or task, from learning to ride a bicycle to mastering a language or a sport.
• 😀 The first stage of learning is unconscious incompetence, where you don't know what you don't know.
• 😀 The most significant shift in learning is moving from unconscious incompetence to conscious incompetence, where you recognize your lack of knowledge or skill.
• 😀 Once you move into conscious incompetence, identifying what needs to be changed is a key step towards improvement.
• 😀 The two essential questions in the learning process are 'What to learn?' and 'How to learn?' Finding the right focus is crucial.
• 😀 Conscious competence is the stage where you're aware of what you need to do, but still need to focus on the task as you practice.
• 😀 The 20-hour learning rule suggests that with focused practice, you can gain a decent level of skill in a new activity or topic in about 20 hours.
• 😀 As you practice and gain more experience, you move from conscious competence to unconscious competence, where the task becomes second nature.
• 😀 Unconscious competence is the stage where you can perform a task automatically, without actively thinking about it, allowing your mind to focus on other things.
• 😀 Mastery in any field comes after unconscious competence and requires extensive practice, typically over the course of many years (around 10 years).
• 😀 Every expert in their field has gone through these stages, and even in competitive exams, mastering problem-solving techniques requires moving through these stages.

Q & A

What is the first stage of learning according to the model?

The first stage of learning is 'unconscious incompetence,' where a person doesn't know something and is unaware of their lack of knowledge or skill.

Why is the transition from unconscious incompetence to conscious incompetence considered the biggest step in learning?

This transition is crucial because it marks the moment when you become aware of what you don't know and what needs to be learned. Realizing the gap in knowledge is key to beginning the learning process.

What does it mean to be consciously incompetent?

Being consciously incompetent means that you are aware of your lack of skill or knowledge in a particular area and recognize what needs to be learned to improve.

How do we identify what to learn in the learning process?

Identifying what to learn is essential for growth. You ask yourself what you need to learn to become better, for example, asking 'What can I learn to improve?' or 'What knowledge or skill do I need to work on?'

How long does it take to become proficient at something according to the 20-hour learning effect?

According to the 20-hour learning effect, you can become proficient enough to do something decently in about 20 hours of focused, structured learning. While you won't become a master, you can become a competent amateur.

What is the stage of conscious competence?

Conscious competence is the stage where you are aware of how to perform a task and can do it, but you still need to focus on each step. It's a learning phase where you are consciously applying effort.

How does one move from conscious competence to unconscious competence?

As you practice and repeat a task at the conscious competence stage, it eventually becomes second nature, and you no longer need to focus on every detail. This transition is when you reach unconscious competence.

What happens during the unconscious competence stage?

At the unconscious competence stage, your mind becomes free from consciously thinking about the task. You can perform it automatically, and your focus can shift to other thoughts or tasks.

What does mastery in the learning process refer to?

Mastery refers to reaching the highest level of proficiency where you can perform a task effortlessly and with great skill, often without thinking about the steps involved.

How long does it typically take to achieve legendary status in a skill?

Achieving legendary status in any skill typically requires about 10 years of deliberate practice and continuous improvement. This is the time frame during which most people become true masters of their craft.