Before the internet era, knowledge was limited, requiring considerable time and resources, and information sources were not widespread due to a lack of further development. Nowadays, knowledge is no longer difficult to seek. We can access vast information without buying expensive books or spending all day in libraries. We can get answers to pressing questions through AI or read research papers at our fingertips.
Similarly, in other fields such as learning guitar or sports training, reliance on instructors has decreased because online self-learning or studying from content creators who are professional musicians is possible. Editing is no longer difficult due to abundant tutorials. This has led to a trend where younger generations tend to be smarter than their predecessors. The Flynn Effect test shows IQ scores rise by about 3 points per decade. James Flynn, who researched this, explained that this increase is likely due to social and technological changes rather than biological intelligence.
There is a saying, “Everyone seems to come from the same factory,” meaning in this era anyone can do various things, and no one surpasses others in basic skills. For example, few people used to speak English, but today it is common. Skills like photography or editing can now be self-taught. The working world seems to demand multitasking, requiring us to perform many tasks simultaneously.
This raises the question: if everyone can do what we do, how can we be confident that we truly excel in our work? What measures indicate that we are good photographers, experts in a field, or have a keen sense in editing? What signals confirm we are on the right path and truly ourselves?
Many have heard that “skilled people are often humble.” Psychologically, this paradox (known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect) means when we excel in something, we may feel our work is easy and anyone could do it. However, this saying alone does not build confidence because it lacks clear evidence confirming our abilities. The best indicators are feedback from those around us and evaluating our own work.
We may be skilled without realizing it.
Starting with those around us, psychologist Noel Burch developed the Four Stages of Competence theory describing four levels of ability. The highest level is Unconscious Competence, where we perform skills effortlessly as if born with them. We can recognize this if others express surprise at how smoothly we perform tasks that feel easy to us, with excellent results. This indicates we have reached the Unconscious Competence level.
Observe your own results.
Another way is to evaluate our own work as objective data. This method helps overcome the Imposter Phenomenon, where we attribute our success to luck, timing, or opportunity instead of our own skills. To credit ourselves more, we can consider how far we have come: have we been promoted? Do clients specifically request us? Have projects succeeded? For videos, are views high? For projects, does the supervisor praise our work?
Obsessing over complexity signals expertise.
Another method is the concept of 'Flow,' defined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. He proposed that when we immerse ourselves in something, especially complex problems or challenges, and time passes quickly, it indicates a high skill level. We feel excitement tackling challenging tasks but become bored if tasks are too easy. However, being absorbed does not equal skill unless the activity has sufficient complexity, such as project planning, solving math problems, or creatively presenting work.
The final self-observation method is simplification. When we can break down complex subjects into simple explanations for beginners, it shows strong skills in categorizing and organizing essential knowledge into concise information. If we hesitate explaining, it may indicate insufficient understanding.
If you have read this far and feel you are not yet skilled, don't worry. Perhaps you have just started or lack consistent practice, or you haven't encountered the right opportunities to showcase your abilities. Regardless, everyone has chances and ample information resources. What matters is whether we truly love what we do, which can be seen in our curiosity and enjoyment. Do we enjoy the process more than the results? Is the effort we expend rewarding rather than exhausting or leading to burnout?
Humanity is remarkable for our differences. Though people say “everyone seems to come from the same factory,” deep down, everyone is special. We have unique backgrounds, life experiences, and distinct ways of thinking. Everyone can take photos, edit, and manage projects, but what sets us apart is our perspective. The question is how we bring our work to life and make it genuinely ours.
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