Beyond Expertise: The Art of Being a Lifelong Learner

Let's be real: I'm no genius, not even close. Most of the times, I walk in rooms where my resume feels a bit flimsy, where the jargon flies over my head, and I wonder how I even got in the door.

I didn't take the textbook path into my IT/leadership career(s). I don't have a fancy STEM degree or years of experience in the digital world. Yet here I am, making a living and thriving in this complex field. How? Well, this might be an unpopular opinion but expertise is overrated. What matters is being a relentless learner.

I've learned that It's not about being the smartest person in the room, it's about being the most curious and having a relentless drive to learn.

It's about embracing the power of "I don't know...yet.

Don't get me wrong, subject matter knowledge is important (sometimes). But the magic starts with a simple mindset shift: "I don't know...yet." It means admitting what you don't know, then getting excited about the journey of figuring it out.

That's where the fun begins! There's a thrill in wrestling with new concepts, digging for answers, and finally having that "aha!" moment. The beauty is, with each step, you become the expert you weren't yesterday.

And this insatiable curiosity has got me where I am today.

I've made mistakes, asked what felt like dumb questions, and been thoroughly humbled – but I've also grown in unimaginable ways, and most importantly, I found ways to welcome my business knowledge into the world of information technology.

This mindset is also what led me to dive into the world of AI tools. At first, terms like GPT-3 and machine learning felt like a foreign language to me. But slowly, I chipped away, exploring various tutorials, experimenting with smaller projects like automating tasks with Zapier ChatGPT - New! Gemini AI (EX - BARD) , and embracing those humbling "epic fail" moments.

Now, AI has become a powerful tool in my arsenal. I'm automating tedious tasks in my day to day, gaining deeper insights from data while also learning about data privacy & ethical use of technology, and constantly discovering new possibilities. It's a testament to the fact that those initial feelings of being overwhelmed don't have to be the end of the story.

Transforming Client Service Through Learning

This constant learning mindset also isn't just about personal growth, it translates directly into how I approach client work. Recently, I faced a project where the client's technical requirements felt like a foreign language to me, I could barely grasp it and I felt intimidated at first.

But instead of panicking, I dove headfirst into research (utilizing tools like Youtube & TikTok because they have great bite size tutorials/videos that are easy to digest for fast learning.

Then I asked a million questions to the client subject matter experts, and relentlessly sought connections between the technical jargon and the underlying business needs. This allowed me to bridge the gap between the IT and business world by simplifying complex concepts and also create a better partnership with my clients. You will be surprised at how much people value transparency than those who pretends to ''know it all.''

Pushing Your Limits, Accelerating Your Growth

To stay ahead of the curve, I've made a pact with myself: every few weeks, I'll try out a brand-new tool or tackle a new concept. Some will be spectacular flops, others will become game-changers. The point is, I'm deliberately pushing outside my comfort zone. This accelerates my learning curve exponentially.

Remember, expertise isn't a fixed destination. It's a constantly evolving journey fueled by curiosity and a stubborn refusal to stay stagnant.

If doubts about your skills have been holding you back, I want you to hear this: You are capable of incredible growth. It starts by replacing fear with curiosity, embracing the adventure of learning, and pushing yourself into those exciting, slightly scary zones. Don't let people with fancy ''titles'' and ''years of experience'' scare you off or tell you otherwise. If anything, be more curious to learn from them.

Remember that If you stop learning, you stop growing.

If you need help to ditch the "I can't" and embrace the "I'm learning"? Schedule a doubt session with me today topmate.io Mehnaz Tabassum, PMP? CSM? CSPO? ( topmate.io ) #careercoach #lifelonglearner #growthmindset