The Difference Between Mechanics and Substance

show you are an expertSubstance is what we see when an expert is in their element. They move with fluidity and without effort. That’s what we can observe about mastery. There is no fudging or awkwardness.

Amateurs, on the other hand, are still struggling with the mechanics. This is fine if they are climbing the learning curve to mastery. It’s part of the price to pay. Everything is jerky and unnatural.

But by reason of use and repeated failure, there is the opportunity to transcend the awkwardness.

But how does someone of substance communicate with a person focused on the mechanics still? It’s a world of difference between a person that works with continuity and another that understands things step-by-step.

You can see it if you have ever coached, taught a musical instrument or even built a business. The amateur is working through the pattern and trying to move from awkward to natural.

It does take patience and persistence. Surely you have done this in certain areas, and undoubtedly, not in many others and know what I am speaking about. It’s why we always need humility when learning and patience when showing.

The problems come when the amateur wants to pretend or minimize the knowledge and ability of an expert.

Just because something looks easy doesn’t make it so. Just understand you are seeing things differently when you are just beginning. Pay the price and the world looks different as you progress.

There is no shortcut to knowledge mastery. Just because we have more access doesn’t mean we can skip the steps.

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