Although I didn’t get through all of them I really believe Pat Flynn is bang on. Expertise can be gained through books but only experience will truly make you an expert.

In the same respect my thinking is that expert is something you do and project rather than something you call yourself. With the internet being a place where people can ‘set up shop’ easier, the word expert & ‘guru’ is being used more often now to entice people to listen to you..and that is ok because in order for those people to stick around you do have to BE an expert albeit in a crowded environment.

I think it is less about shortcuts and more about refining a correct strategy that is right for you that makes an expert (are you an early bird or are you a night owl, do you learn best reading or human interactions) and then once you have that, you develop mental heuristics that get you to your outcome faster (expertise). This comes from experience, rather than reading books. look at expert poker players; when they are beginners they go through a process of checklisting to determine their next move (conscious thinking) and then as they become more and more experienced, the decision is made out of awareness, what someone might call ‘a hunch’.

With regard to the question “Do shortcuts exist?”, I’d like to define a “shortcut” like this: “A means of saving time or effort.” Can you be more productive, effective, and efficient in your work? Of course, you can.

I want to become the best personal trainer in Estonia (and perhaps elsewhere in the world later) that I capable of becoming. For that some good tips that I got from this article for myself are:

- Figure out what you really love to do in your work/field and what you really want to achieve in it.
- Simplify how you achieve your goals.
- Do everything you can to learn from people who probably already have the knowledge and skills that you want to have.

(Note: I think it’s wrong advice to say that learn from people who have already achieved what you want to achieve, because my own goals are very unique and haven’t been exactly achieved yet. Instead, learn from people who know things you want to know.)

The right mindset will generate all the right ideas.

Thank you for an amazing post, guys, really appreciate!

When you are the inventor/creator of something new, you are instantly the expert on your subject. Just be careful to stick tightly to what you’ve already researched to avoid improper applications or undesirable side effects.

I don’t have to know everything. The most important thing I know is how to stop before crossing the line of expertise and falsely representing mastery or skill in subjects I know too little about.

I frequently earn the title of expert when I respond appropriately to unique problems that land in my lap. Many of these are learning experiences for me too. I become worthy when I read daily, research often, invent courageously and solve problems in unique ways that produce better results than were previously available.

Every distinction I learn sets me apart more.

The shortcuts, you asked?

- When I focus on the things I’m naturally good at, I easily excel. I can get far more results in much shorter time. I’m spontaneously motivated to do the things that come to me effortlessly yet seem to be a big challenge and struggle for others.

- I love to copy successful approaches after someone else already went to all the hard work and testing to get it right. It makes little difference if their business specializes in something completely dissimilar to my own. I’ve mastered the skill of adopting and adapting for maximum profits.

- I prefer to overcome obstacles that recur. Too many don’t know how to do this effectively. That’s a big part of what “Traction” does. Mastery of this one skill permanently makes it possible for me to make a difference for others because of who I am. The big shortcut is in permanently discontinuing time wasting and incorrect habits.

- Share your expertise frequently. Write books, articles, white papers, blogs, etc. because it stretches you to be better. The credibility factor goes up with each book you write. A well written book is an excellent way to gain access to the people who most desire to hire you for more.

- Probably the most powerful shortcut I regularly take is listening to divine inspiration. When information comes from this source, it is always reliable. It saves me from much heartache and points me in the direction of efficient learning and growth.

By all means take a shortcut when it seems like a good option. Be in it for the long haul too. Many are surprised at how quickly regular progress amasses when they move unimpeded towards becoming an expert every day.

Jess Mickelson “The Traction Dr.”

And it’s so much better than the Michael Jackson film of the same name.

Talent is Overrated
The Talent Code

Would also recommend skelliewag’s blog post:

http://www.skelliewag.org/getting-better-at-bad-why-practice-doesnt-always-make-perfect-1176.htm

I don’t know. There’s a world of difference between a 3 and a 10 in a subject. The “10″ might not be able to teach however – I’d look at Alan Fine’s book “You already know how to be great”: http://www.amazon.com/You-Already-Know-How-Great/dp/B004KAB44W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320897183&sr=8-1

Have to say I do like it when my experts walk the talk, not just talk the talk.