Become The Expert in Your Field Get Clear and On Track Today pptx

Become The Expert in Your Field Get Clear and On Track Today By Roger Wyer Published by Spirit-Works Enterprises at Smashwords Copyright 2011 Roger Wyer Learn more about Roger Wyer at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/RogerWyer Roger's Related Blogs and Websites: www.BizWorksStudio.com www.RogerWyer.com Thank you for downloading this little ebook. Please share it with your friends and anyone who with whom you are called to share it by directing them to Smashwords.com. We’ve made this book affordable and easy to download in order to discourage you from reproducing, copying, and distributing it. Thank you for your support. Contents Part One: What Is An Expert? Greetings! How Do You Know You’re The Expert In Your Field? “Expert” Means Perception Rules What Characteristics Appear to Correspond to “Expert?” Part Two: Let's Get Started It's Today What Exactly Am I The Expert In? Where Do I Stand? In What Ways Do I Feel Most Expert? What Important Areas Require My Attention? Prioritizing Next Steps Stay The Course End Stuff Thank-you To Readers About The Author Contact The Author Readers Group Study Guide Part One: What Is An Expert? Greetings! First of all, it is from a spirit of love that I write to you today. I want you to feel this Second, I assure you that you ARE the expert in your field. Once you understand what it means to be the expert, we’ll turn our attention to figuring out what field you’re the expert in. Refining how you define your field of expertise is critical to your success. When you can clearly and cleanly state your field, we’ll work on evaluating where you stand as an expert. You’ll be able to pinpoint your strengths as well as missing pieces in the way your project your expertise to those around you. Then you’ll know where to devote your attention as you grow into being The Expert in your field. Along the way, I’ll continually remind you that being the expert is as much a matter of perception as quantifiable credentials. I want you to feel deeply what it means to be The Expert so that you act the part. And I want you to continually take leveraged action to put you in position to back up your claim. It’s my hope that this little book will help you align your actions with who you really are, and have you showing up confidently as The Expert in Your Field. How Do You Know You’re “The Expert” In Your Field? You can say you’re The Expert, but how do you know it’s really true? It’s really pretty simple: people turn to you for information and advice before other sources. Think about that for a moment. Who do you consider an expert? Just labeling someone an expert doesn’t mean much unless it results in movement towards them. The core of this action is that you would turn to the expert for information and advice before other sources. That could mean turning to the expert directly, or turning to their information or material. You might, for example, view them in a video clip, follow their blog, or read their book just as well as attending their workshop or calling them on the phone. You’re the expert when people identify you with your field and your field with you. That is, you and your field of expertise are the same – you own it. When you’re the expert, you are trusted. Your brand is trusted. Your products and services carry higher value than others. You have my permission to spend a few moments contemplating what this might mean to you. Expertise, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Now you’re beginning to get a feel for what happens when the beholder sees you as The Expert in your field. “Expert” Means Specialist. You are dedicated. You are focused. You project an image of high quality. You are an individual. Authority. You are confident. You speak and act with conviction. You project an air of certainty. Professional. You are trained. You are certified. You are licensed. Connoisseur. Your judgment can be trusted. You display a sense of knowing that transcends knowledge. Skilled. You are accomplished. You are capable. You are able. You are competent. Your skill level is consummate. Practiced. You are adept in your field. Proficient. You are talented. You are gifted. Knowledgeable. You are well-informed – on the ball. You are familiar with all aspects of your field. You are educated. Don’t be concerned if you’re not feeling like The Expert yet. We’re just getting our arms around what it means to be The Expert. It can be instructional to apply these definitions to those you consider experts in their field and see how they match up. Perception Rules – Appearing To Be The Expert Is Key Let’s be real. We’ve all encountered people who appear to be the expert but who, upon closer examination, don’t walk the talk. On the other hand, we’ve all judged someone based on their appearance, only to find later that they truly are the expert. It’s my assumption that you want to both be The Expert and show up in ways that convince others that you are The Expert. Really, how can we know, from afar, who is an expert and who is not? By helping others perceive you as The Expert, you hope to gain opportunities to prove it. I don’t think this is a game of faking people into believing something that is not true. For me, it’s a game of aligning what is already true about you with an appearance that convinces others you’re the expert in your field. The rules of this game have to do with refining how you define your field, and then developing yourself to look like, and be, the expert. Let’s get on with breaking this down into smaller bits. What Characteristics Appear To Correspond To “Expert?” You are published in: • Books • Journal articles • Magazine articles • Newspaper articles You are quoted by other authorities: • In their books • Journal articles • Magazines articles • Newspaper articles • Online You are recognized as a: • Speaker at trade association events • Presenter at seminars • Participant in panel discussions • Leader of corporate and industry-wide workshops • Teacher of classes • Contributor to the development of your field You are seen and recognized. You: • Are visible in the industry • Are networked and known by leaders and by the masses • Show up in the right places, personally, online, and in print • Show up frequently in search engines and in referrals You are credentialed: • Degrees • Certifications • Licenses • Memberships • Endorsements and testimonials, both for your book and your work • Project list • Client list • Track record of results, longevity, consistency, and quality. You present yourself as: • Confident • Knowledgeable • Well-informed • State-of-the-art • Well-spoken • Attractive • Likeable • Trustable You don’t need to check the box next to every characteristic in order to be considered The Expert. But it is a helpful checklist – both in giving you a boost about who you are today and helping you prioritize actions for tomorrow. Part Two: Let's Get Started It's Today It's today and you’re not feeling like The Expert in Your Field. Now what? So far, I’ve created a structure for you to understand and think about what it means to be an expert. Now let’s begin matching that structure to you and your field. When we complete this section, I think you’ll have a pretty good idea about who you are, where you stand, how that feels, and what to do about it – which, after all, is probably why you’re reading this book! What Exactly Am I The Expert In? You’ll want to get this statement right, so plan to spend some time working on it. Developing a clear, concise definition of your field. This not about fitting into somebody else’s idea of the field – this is you. You get to define it. Another way of thinking about your field is as your niche. When you think about your niche, you focus on customers and clients you target and the particular product or service you provide. In considering your field, I’d like you to focus on you. Go back to the section “Expert Means ” and begin looking at the words again, asking questions in this format: What am I dedicated about? What am I focused about? Continue substituting the terms from the section and pay attention to answering each question. Look inside. Reflect. Chances are, your field is really something at least a little different than what you thought it was. Don’t go with your first answer – you’re too conditioned to thinking about yourself in ways that are either unrealistically inflating or deflating. We’re going for accuracy. If you meditate, try putting yourself in a quiet state before taking on these questions. You’ll know when you’re getting somewhere when a consistent vision of your field begins to appear. It will appear somewhat new – it will appear fresh. There will be an element of surprise about it – and an excitement. As you close in on your defining statement, the issue of scope will appear. How large or narrow is this field? Don’t worry about it. Say it in a way that feels right and true. Once you become the expert in this field, you can apply your expertise in as wide or narrow a niche as you choose. Before you go on, write the statement that defines your field. Don’t hold youself to it. Think of it as a working draft. As you learn more about yourself – and your field – you’ll probably find yourself refining your field statement – making it stronger and stronger, clearer and clearer - until it comes rolling out of you with great confidence. You know, like The Expert would say it. Where Do I Stand? Now go back to the list of characteristics and begin another round of questioning. What do I have going in each area? What do I wish I had going in each area? What do I plan to do about it? Make a little spreadsheet or chart to help your analyze each characteristic against each question. Be honest with yourself. Remember, you don’t have to have something great going in every box on the chart. The point is to see where you stand, and in a way that allows you to get into action. In What Ways Do I Feel Most Expert? Because your definition of your field comes from considering our definition of an expert, you will already have something going in at least some of the boxes. These strengths show up for you when you’re feeling really good about yourself. These are the ones you lead with when you’re marketing or selling what you do. Still, this can be a challenging task. Our humility suddenly comes rushing in. But is it humility or just that little voice in your head saying you’re not good enough? This is a great place to practice being honest with yourself. When I look at the list of characteristics of an expert, it feels like it will take me a lifetime to earn them all. Which is why we place such high value on becoming the expert. It’s ok to note in your chart that you have an outline for your first book, even if you haven’t published it yet. Or to recognize that you’ve been thinking about how to get an interview with the reporter you met at a party last week. We can always pay attention to strengthening our strengths. It’s important to note that we will also want to lead with our strengths in a way that is full and accurate – neither scrawny nor overblown. What Important Areas Require My Attention? Some boxes in the what-do-I-wish-I-had-going column bring pain. Missed opportunities come screaming back to us at this moment. It’s ok. Getting them on the chart will help you look at them. Looking at them in the context of the chart will put them in their place today. Some of these boxes will appear as low-hanging fruit – things you can do something about quickly – things you enjoy doing. Some will require more effort over a longer time. You’ll get a feeling for what is possible and what is doable. And, you can begin imagining yourself growing into being The Expert as you target and tackle each box. Prioritizing Next Steps It’s my belief and my experience that next steps fall out of the kind of deep homework you’ve just done. Besides both knowing and feeling where you stand, you know which of these to-do’s is singing to you – calling you to attend to it. I trust your judgment. I want to make you aware that, through all of this, you’ve been thinking about your field – the customers and clients that live there – the suppliers and contractors – the adjacent fields – the competitors. You have a sense of how they perceive being the expert in your field – what criteria they use. This awareness of the field helps you prioritize next steps. For example, if you’ve found yourself bumping into problems because you’re missing a credential, or been slightly embarrassed about answering a particular question that seems to keep popping up, perhaps it’s time to pay attention to these barriers to your success. Maybe this little book is what you need to push forward in an area where you’ve been holding yourself back. Stay The Course Becoming The Expert in your field isn’t something you’ll ever finish. It’s a process of growing into who you really are and expressing that in all that you do. I encourage you to pull out your personal chart periodically and see how you’re doing. This work can serve as a core for your personal and professional growth, and is filled with benefits beyond your imagining. ### End Stuff Thank You To Readers Thank you for this opportunity to be of service to you. I acknowledge your work and recognize you as The Expert in Your Field. Thank you for reading this e-book! And more importantly, thank you for your commitment to being your best. Your intentions and actions along the road to awakening make vital contributions to the world. These contributions cannot be measured and may never be fully understood by you or me. Thank you for being you! Roger About the author Roger Wyer discovered his personal mission inscribed by his Sunday school teacher on the inside of the Bible he received in fourth grade: “Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.” He’s been learning about and practicing this mission ever since. Rog is a writer, consultant, and speaker. In learning to market his first book, “Choosing Joy at Work,” Rog began exploring what it means to be The Expert in Your Field. At a writers workshop, he sheepishly admitted that he wasn’t really an expert in his field. Fortunately, his teacher reminded him that he is The Expert in his book. As co-founder and partner in BizWorks Studio, Rog works with individuals, couples, authors, and organizations to help them make desired changes quickly and effectively. Rog has continuously served as internal and external consultant to businesses and non- profit organizations for over twenty-five years. Much of that time was spent in the construction industry, with experience in operations, systems, human resources, and continuous improvement. Rog also served as a community planner, neighborhood organizer, and volunteer leader. Contact the Author Connect with Rog Online Email: rog@BizWorksStudio.com On Linkedin at: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=9467184&trk=tab_pro Rog’s business blog at: http://bizworksstudio.com/blog-page/ Rog's personal blog at: https:// ww.rogerwyer.com Rog's healing blog at: http://heal-life.org/?page_id=16 Rog's gardening blog at: http://gardeningwithnature.org/?page_id=69 Other Books by Rog Peaceful Awakening: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/10499 Learning Lessons: Gardening With Nature: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/12162 Choosing Joy at Work: available from most online book sellers Working On This Together Even though your road is yours alone, you are never really alone. As you move down the road, you will experience moments of doubt, fear, and frustration. Being part of a small group who commit to share their experiences with each can be a blessing. We encourage you to form a group and meet regularly - and to call upon each other individually between meetings. Remember to lighten up and have fun when you are together. We recommend a process we call "meaningful conversation." Rather than provide detailed, step-by-step instructions, we offer simple guidelines to follow in generating meaningful conversations for your group: Remember the purpose of your group. We suggest this one: We collectively create an environment which fosters thoughtful conversation, encouraging personal and professional growth. Collectively means we do this together – we rely on each other – we trust each other. Create means we bring something new into existence – each and every conversation. Environment means everything in the room – from the physical room itself to the mood and energy alive in the room. Foster means we set it up so conversation and people thrive. Thoughtful means new thinking that opens new doors. Conversation means talking and listening, honoring each other, sharing and caring. Encouraging means holding a space for others to succeed. Personal and professional means our road to success as we define it. Growth means change – positive change. Traditions to include: • Introductions • Meaningful questions • What I need today is… • Announcements Benefits of meaningful conversation: • Speaking and being heard • Listening and uncovering answers • Bonding and building relationships • Gaining respect and trust • Having fun • Improving quality of life • Laying a foundation for personal change • Taking responsibility • Learning to ask for and receive help People are hungry for meaningful conversation. In today’s world, meaningful conversation doesn’t show up often enough to fulfill our need to connect, learn, and grow. Conversation is a basic building block of life and hence a powerful lever for change. Changing the conversation changes the way we see the world around us as well as the way we interact with each other. The quality of our lives is measured by the quality of our conversations. Meaningful conversation uplifts us and raises our energy. And do let us know how it's going for you and your group! . that convinces others you’re the expert in your field. The rules of this game have to do with refining how you define your field, and then developing yourself to look like, and be, the expert. Let’s. to be the expert but who, upon closer examination, don’t walk the talk. On the other hand, we’ve all judged someone based on their appearance, only to find later that they truly are the expert. . Second, I assure you that you ARE the expert in your field. Once you understand what it means to be the expert, we’ll turn our attention to figuring out what field you’re the expert in. Refining