Jan. 28, 2024

Levels of Learning-Ep.182

Levels of Learning-Ep.182

This concept has been a game-changer for many of my clients, especially when they're navigating uncertainties in their coaching business. I introduce the concept of the Levels of Learning, a framework that helps coaches understand and embrace the discomfort that comes with growth. Using the metaphor of learning to drive, I walk you through the four levels—Unconsciously Incompetent, Consciously Incompetent, Consciously Competent, and Unconsciously Competent—and how they apply to your coaching journey.

Highlights:

Metaphor of Learning to Drive: Explore the Levels of Learning using the analogy of learning to drive, making the journey relatable and engaging.

Unconscious Incompetence (Clueless): Recall the excitement of being clueless, similar to wanting to drive before you hit the legal age.

Conscious Incompetence (Cringe-worthy): Relive the cringe-worthy moments of learning to drive, where every action feels awkward and confusing.

Conscious Competence (Hyper-focused): Understand the hyper-focused stage, it’s like being a new driver concentrating on every detail.

Unconscious Competence (Masterful): Celebrate reaching the masterful stage, where this new activity becomes second nature.

We can learn to feel the discomfort, embrace the journey, and understand that these levels apply not only to coaching but to any new endeavor. 

I encourage you to keep going through the discomfort because it's a sign of growth. 

Let’s navigate these levels together on your coaching adventure.


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Transcript
Candy Motzek:

Hey welcome to sheet coaches, coaches, I'm your host Candy Motzek. And I'm going to help you find the clarity, confidence and courage to become the coach that you were meant to be. If you're a new coach, or if you've always wanted to be a life coach, then this is the place for you. We're going to talk all about mindset and strategies and how to because step by step only works when you have the clarity, courage and confidence to take action. Let's get started. They're amazing listener. It is your coach and guide Candy motsek, the host of she coaches coaches, welcome, I am so glad you're here. This show is more than three years old. And whether you're one of our OGS, or you're just finding us for the first time, I want to welcome you to she coaches coaches. As I was writing my newest batch of episodes, I had look through the hundreds of episodes we've already released. Yeah, I couldn't believe it undreds of episodes. And I figured that, even though I'm always inspired with new ideas to share with you, there is huge value in many of the concepts we've already covered. So today is a special treat, we're going to dive into the archives to bring back a gym, a timeless episode that is packed with wisdom and strategies that you can put into action today. This is an episode that resonated deeply within the community. And as our dusting off those virtual shelves, we're not just looking at the past, you may have heard it when it was new. But if you're anything like me, you're always evolving, always growing. So consider how much you've grown in the past years or even months. That means even if you listen to it before, you're going to unlock a new perspective, you're going to learn something new, because you are hearing it with different ears. The lessons are evergreen and the strategy shared are the stepping stones to many of the success stories that you can achieve. So buckle up for a nostalgia infused value packed episode. Whether you heard it when it was a fresh release, or you're uncovering it for the first time, get ready to get inspired, and to take your coaching journey to new heights. Okay, let's dive in. Hey, there, I am. So glad you're here. Welcome to Episode 10 of she coaches coaches. For the last few episodes, we've been talking extensively about my confident coaches success framework. And today, we're going to talk about a topic that has really helped many of my clients when they're feeling unsure, uncertain or confused. Usually, this is something related to their coaching business. But this topic can apply to everything new in your life. Maybe you're learning how to do Facebook Lives, or as a new coach, how to invite people to a consult, or even how to have that very first coaching session with a client. Before we dive in, I want to read another review for this podcast. If you haven't already, I'd love it if you would leave a review, and maybe I'll share yours on a future episode. This one is from Bing brains. Here's what they have to say. I love this podcast because candy speaks so clearly. And her voice is so comforting. While building a coaching business. It's awesome to have someone to listen to with such clarity. Her voice and helpful tips are perfect to turn to when my brain is feeling scattered with all the to dues swimming around. Candy knows how to break things down in a calm and confident way. Super helpful. Really appreciate that review. So now back to the levels of learning. I use this as a way of reminding my clients and if I'm honest myself true, that sometimes things just don't go well at the start. Sometimes we mess up and it can feel really uncomfortable. Our natural tendency is to think that feeling fear and seeing fear as a stop sign. We somehow think that the fear will just go away. And that we should just wait until we're not so freaked out to begin. But and this is a big bot but no pun intended, when we're scared and it's because of something new. We've chosen to do is just not going to help you. Okay, I'm not talking about when you're in the woods and there's a grizzly bear who starts to chase you. I'm talking about when you just side, you're going to start telling people you're a coach, and that you're looking for your few first few clients. That kind of fear. They both might make you want to run and hide, but they're not for the same reason. Imagine, in this scenario, we're looking at a staircase. This is how I like to describe the levels of learning to my clients. It's a short little staircase, there's only four steps. I originally learned this model. When I was taking coach training. At CTI the coactive Training Institute. The names of the four levels of steps are kind of complicated. So I've given each of them a nickname. Now, if you want to see a sketch of these four different levels, click through to the episode page, I'll create a little graphic and pop it in there for you. So you can follow along. So the first level is called unconsciously incompetent. I also call that clueless. Second Level is consciously incompetent, also known as cringe worthy. The third level, consciously competent, also known as hyper focused. And finally, level four is unconsciously competent. And I call that masterful. Let me describe these different levels to you in a way that's quick and easy. And I'm going to use a metaphor, the metaphor of learning how to drive. Now the four levels, the nicknames of the four levels, again, are clueless, cringe worthy, hyperfocused and masterful. So let's talk about level one, when you're learning how to drive. These levels are something that we all go through no matter what we're learning, when we're learning something new. You're going to recognize these. So level one, clueless, unconsciously incompetent. Imagine you're 14, you're often a passenger in a car, and you dream of that day when you get to be independent. And finally, get your driver's license. This is a breeze you think to yourself. Oh, why does my mom always drive so slow? That idiot over there didn't even put their turn signal on, dummy. I can hardly wait. Why do I have to wait until I'm 16 to start driving? I wish I could just get on with it. You're completely clueless. Now level two, consciously incompetent. I also call it cringe worthy. Finally, the day has dawned. It's time for you to learn how to drive. You've got a brand new learner's license. And finally, at long last, you slip into that driver's seat. You're at the wheel, you're puffed up and feeling like a million bucks. Let's go. Now here comes level two. Cringe worthy. Okay. Where does the key go again? How come it's so hard to get this key in the ignition? Where do we adjust the mirrors? How do we see behind me? Oh, that's too high. Nope, nope. Push that button again. Nope. Oh, that's just not right. You got to fiddle and fiddle and fiddle. And finally you get them adjusted. Okay, now we're off. You pop that car into drive and you press the gas and nothing happens. The engine revs up, but you're stuck. The emergency brake is still on. Okay, so you find and release the emergency brake. Now. Your parents are getting pretty smart. They've taken you to an empty parking lot. For your first few times out driving. There is no cars around. So this should be a breeze right? But you've been here before? Nope. Not so much. Push the gas. Okay. Okay, here we go. Oh, my God, I just jumped ahead so fast. Where's the brakes? Screech and you slam on those brakes. Now you'll look over to your right. Your dad is gripping the door handle and says, Oh, thank God, we're wearing seatbelts. Well, you get the idea. Maybe you remember this too. Maybe you're teaching your kids how to drive. You had no idea. It was going to be so complicated or so hard. It looked so easy when somebody else was doing it. But now it's painful and cringe worthy. Now,

Candy Motzek:

let's move on to level three hyper focused or consciously competent. Okay, you've been driving for a while, maybe a few weeks. You've taken some driving lessons and your parents are very, very patient People, here we are at level three. Sure, you can drive. But you have to stay vigilant. You have to remember to check your shoulder, you have to remember to put your turn signal on, you keep your hands at 10 o'clock and two o'clock on the steering wheel, you're consciously looking at how fast am I going? Am I going too slow or too fast? Should I push the gas pedal a little harder, or lead up a little bit? Okay, I've got this, I can do this. But just don't talk to me because I'm concentrating. That's kind of what level three hyperfocused is like, dislike. And now level four, masterful, unconsciously competent for the new driver, who is finally getting masterful. Alright, so with time you've driven enough, now you just grab those keys, jump into the car, clip your seatbelt and start, you hook up your Bluetooth and get some good music going. All while you put on the turn signal, check your mirrors, pull out into traffic. And before you know it, you're singing along to your favorite tunes. And all of a sudden, you're at your destination, you didn't even have to think about every single little thing. Congratulations, you are now consciously competent, your brain and your body have done the thing they do so well. Your brain loves to conserve energy. And it does its best to put any activity on autopilot. And this is what's happened as you move from level two, to three to now four. So these four levels, I've talked about it from a new drivers perspective. But they also apply to you as you become a new coach. At first, you're thinking it's going to be a breeze, everyone tells you you're unnatural, then you realize how much you don't know. And you kind of freak out a bit. Eventually, when you concentrate hard, you can have a good coaching session. But you have to work at it, you have to be really conscious, as just as the mechanics of coaching, take time to go on autopilot. And eventually, you can focus more and more on being 100% present with your client. When you're in level one clueless, you are happy, you've got no stress, this is going to be a breeze becoming a coach. Now when you move to level two and three, it's not as comfortable. It takes focus and energy and concentration. Plus you make mistakes. Maybe it doesn't always go the way you want it to. Maybe you can't think of the right question to ask your client and you fumble around a little bit. But when you finally reach level four, you generally go back to that feeling good. So do you see what I mean? It's easy to feel nervous or uncomfortable. When you're in level two, or level three cringe worthy and hyper focused. And as a result, you might be feeling nervous or scared. But once the train has left the station, and you've decided to be a coach, you have to go through the discomfort of level two, and level three, to get to masterful level for fear and discomfort doesn't mean stop. It means keep going. You're on the right path, you'll get through this. These levels apply to everyone and to any new thing that you try to do. Whether it's learning how to drive learning how to become a coach, or learning how to find your favorite paying clients. It's completely normal to feel like this. Nothing has gone wrong. It's just you growing. And to accept that every masterful coach was once a new coach to they were once cringe worthy. They were once clueless. And they've grown. We've all experienced these levels of learning. So you're in good company. And I'm glad you're here. I'm glad you're in the room with us. When you get worried remind yourself of these levels of learning. And think back to a time when you learn something new, something different not being a coach. And remember how you got better and better. And finally, it was easy and you were masterful. So I'm kind of curious, what level are you at right now, you might be a level four in your coaching skills. But you might still feel like a level two and your client attraction skills. So tell me about it. Go to the episode webpage. Leave me a comment. I want to hear from you. And thanks for joining. Remember to listen next week two. We're gonna talk about the next steps in becoming a confident coach. Hey, I so appreciate you're here and you're part of my community. Now I want to hear from you too. Click through to those episode notes, just like I said earlier and leave me a comment. Did you find this information helpful? Tell me more about the kinds of things that you want me to explore in future episodes, I always want to help you best. And for me, that means creating episodes that help you with exactly where you're at. Now remember, you can do this work all on your own. I'm giving you everything you need in these podcast episodes. If you love DIY, maybe you're making a business, and you're excited to be a do it yourselfer. And I'm glad you're here. And I'm happy to support you subscribe to the podcast. So you're the first to hear about new episodes. There are lots of people who want more help, though. And if that's you, there's a way to find out how to work more closely with me. My clients are go getters, many of them have wanted to become a coach for weeks, months, and sometimes even years. But maybe the timing wasn't right until now. Now they're eager to dive in and get on that happy path. They want the quickest, most enjoyable route to becoming a successful coach. They don't want to have to try and fail and try and fail. They want to speed their way through level two and three, and they want to start getting traction. Now. If this sounds like you, click on the link in the Episode Notes. And let's talk. Now, before I wrap this up, I want to tell you about my new free vault. I think I told you about it in the last episode. But if you haven't heard, I'm really excited. I created this free vault to help you start your business and become a coach. It's called the coach's Online Business Academy. And here's how it works. Click the link in the Episode Notes and sign up for your free account. As soon as you do, you're going to get immediate access to a whole bunch of resources. I've got a quiz to help you narrow down your niche. Our pre recorded five day training to kickstart your coaching business and a whole bunch of PDF guides. I've included things like 147 proven niches, a checklist for what do you do as a brand new coach when you're just starting out, and ideas for places to find paying clients. Every month, I add more free resources to this vault. So it's just gonna keep growing. You only need to sign up once, and you're gonna get access to everything that's there, and all the new things that I add to. I'm so pleased to be able to share this with you. Click on the link in the show notes and sign up today. We'll talk to you soon. Thanks again for listening today. Please hop on over to Apple podcasts and leave a review. Also, I would love to hear from you. It's something that I say resonate. What else would you like to learn about? Click the link in the player and leave a comment on the post. This is going to give me great ideas for future episodes so I can help you best. Join me again next week. For more coaching, support and teaching to help you become the confident coach. You are meant to be