An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field. – Niels Bohr

Lately, I’ve been thinking about ways to better manage my time, make…and not manage, while achieving the other goals that I’ve got.

In doing so, there is often thought about the story that you have to tell, or your expertise in a given area.

I’m sometimes labeled as an expert in new, or digital literacies. I prefer to think that I’ve built and broken a lot of things online, and that makes me aware of what to do…and not do in online spaces.

It’s also important to recognize that I don’t know everything. I’m still learning. That’s why I chose to put myself in the company of those that are far more knowledgeable about this work than I am.

In my upcoming ventures, I think the key element that I’d like to work on is fine-tuning my ability to be direct, and provide simple guidance for others. I waste my time thinking through (and discussing) all of an answer as people request it. I need to be direct, give my best estimate or guess…and move on.

This means making my content approachable and accessible.

In future posts I’ll talk a bit more about the challenges of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. I’ll also think openly about whether it’s appropriate to think openly…and perhaps be wrong at times.

But for now…as I would say to my students…be the expert.

This post is Day 7 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com.

Photo by David Monje on Unsplash