do you ever have that feeling that you’re not really an expert? that, while you definitely understand what’s going on that still, it feels like you’re “winging it” so to speak? i’ve often wondered about what it would feel like to actually be an expert. a guru.

that must be an interesting thing to be good at something, know that you are, and still not get egotistical about it. i’ve known a lot of talented people, and most all of them hesitate to call themselves experts at something. i also see a number of people who are good at what they do, know that they are and privately relate that they still have those moments when they feel like they don’t know what they’re doing.

personally i think that this feeling of not knowing is simply an unending one. it’s unending because good, talented, honest people are usually leading the charge. they’re at the tip of the lance and are constantly being challenged in unforeseen ways to do things that are outside their core knowledge base, or skill set.

these people are experts, gurus, the individuals that you count on to figure it out. they are the ones that make projects succeed. they are afraid of making mistakes, mostly because of how it impacts others, but they also know that they will learn from a mistake and so they keep going. they are the mentors, instigators, bulldozers, and puzzle solvers. these individuals make our world possible because even in the face of uncertainty, or doubt, they find the optimism and determination to find a solution.

are you one of these?