How good are you at what you do? This is a question that many of us ask ourselves at some point. Assessing our abilities not only helps us progress in our professions, but also strengthens our Trust. Some people use testing, periodic evaluations or other objective indicators to measure their performance. However, is this enough to believe in our abilities?
Actually, the perceptions we have of our own competence They are usually influenced by our emotions. Even when we are presented with objective evidence of success, we often maintain questions about our capabilities. These doubts, being deeply rooted in our emotions, can come to dominate any objective evidence.
The role of feelings in building competence
Feelings are a key component in the development of the competition. As we mentioned before, the feeling of competition starts internally. This feeling does not necessarily depend on the facts, but on how we feel about our abilities. In other words, our self-confidence can be the starting point for achieving real competence.
A clear example of this is the case of Damián, a young dancer from Madrid who dreamed of making it to Broadway. His career began in local amateur productions, where he had to audition against other actors. This activity was intimidating, but it helped him win experience y Trust over time. “I have more confidence in my audition technique now because I have done it in front of so many people so many times,” explains Damián.
This progress made a difference significant for him. In his first audition for a professional touring company, he landed a leading role, which he attributes directly to his confidence: “If you want to succeed, you have to really want it and believe in it.” This kind of mentality is essential to overcome barriers and achieve success.
What defines competence?
Competition does not only involve the capacity to perform a task, but also to demonstrate solvency in the exercise of said tasks. According to experts, Competence is defined as a combination of knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and experience necessary to perform a job effectively.
For example, in the medical field, being competent does not only mean having technical knowledge, but also empathy as well as, clear communication and the ability to making decisions under pressure. In other areas, such as business leadership, it involves constant development, skill upgrade and the ability to inspire confidence in the others.
The four stages of competition
A classic model for understanding how we develop competence is the four-stage model, which describes the evolution of learning:
- Unconscious incompetence: At this stage, the person does not know what he or she does not know. It can be difficult to move forward if the need to acquire new skills is not recognized.
- Conscious incompetence: Here, we become aware of our shortcomings. Although this can be frustrating, it is a crucial step towards learning.
- Conscious competence: At this stage, the person develops specific skills, but still requires concentration to carry them out effectively.
- Unconscious competence: Eventually, the skill becomes automatic through constant practice, allowing it to be performed without conscious effort.
How to boost your level of competence
Developing competence requires not only individual effort, but also the will to Look for opportunities learning. Some key strategies to boost your competence include:
- Adopt a growth mindset: Recognize that skills can be learned and improved with constant practice.
- Search for continuing education: Stay up to date on the latest trends in your professional field.
- Networking: Interact with people in your sector to share experiences y knowledge.
- Set clear goals: Define specific objectives that guide you on your development path.
The key to progress is to maintain the discipline, the curiosity and openness to new experiences. Just as Damian managed to advance his career by facing challenges and gaining experience, we can all apply this approach in our professional and personal lives.
Successful people often share a common characteristic: They believe in their ability to improve and make their dreams come true.Self-confidence, an open mind and commitment are fundamental pillars for achieving success.
Competence starts with feeling competent. By strengthening our inner confidence and constantly look for ways to to improve, we can turn our aspirations into reality, just as Damian did by pursuing his passion with determination.