A while back, I was on the periphery of a conversation about people “rising to their level of incompetence.” Although this is usually thought of in a negative context, I believe that this can be a great thing — if done the right way…
Step 1: Work hard and do good – at whatever you do. Keep on keeping on until you’re beginning to test your limits. It’s OK…we all do it. Yes, I’ve done it too.
Step 2: This one can’t be overemphasized – know your limits and proactively plan ahead for what’s next. YOU want to control the situation – NOT your employer.
Step 3: Once you’ve hit your internal “incompetence barrier,” take inventory of your collective learnings and experiences, and transfer those findings to your next great thing. Maybe this is a different company, a new industry, something with a greater risk/reward.
Final Step: Repeat Steps 1 – 3 — Use each “next great thing” as an opportunity to re-set and raise the bar on an even higher level of incompetence!
PS – It never hurts to have a little mentoring and constructive guidance along the way…
Great advice, my friend! I find myself there often.
If we don’t crash and burn (or at least come close) every so often, we aren’t driving fast enough! I think that was from Mario Andretti….