Hey there! Ever wondered why some people seem to just “get it” when it comes to learning new things? They seem to master any skill or subject while the rest of us are stuck trying to figure out the basics. Maybe you’ve thought about this while trying to improve at something, whether it’s painting, coding, or even nailing that one perfect TikTok trend.
Well, I’m here to tell you something: It’s not magic. It’s not some secret talent they were born with. It all comes down to how they learn.
There’s this thing called Bloom’s Taxonomy (sounds fancy, I know), but trust me, it’s a game-changer if you want to become an expert at something. It’s basically a six-step process anyone can follow to master any subject or skill, and today, I’m going to break it down for you in the easiest way possible.
|How to Become an Expert in Anything
Why Being "Smart" Isn't What You Think
We’ve all had those moments where we think, “Am I just not smart enough?” I’ve been there too, especially after a tough exam or when I couldn’t pick up a skill as fast as I wanted. But here’s a surprising fact: It’s not about being smart; it’s about how you approach learning.
The traditional education system measures how much you can remember and regurgitate.
But that’s just one tiny piece of the puzzle. And often, it’s the least important part!
What if I told you that most people who struggle aren’t lacking intelligence—they’re just not following the right steps to really learn? That’s where Bloom’s Taxonomy comes in.
The Six Steps of Becoming an Expert: Bloom’s Taxonomy
So what is Bloom’s Taxonomy? Think of it as a roadmap. There are six levels to it, and if you climb each one properly, you can become an expert at whatever you set your mind to. The first three are what most people stop at—Lower Order Thinking Skills (or LOTS for short). But if you go all the way, you’ll reach the next three levels, the Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS), where true mastery happens.
Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Remembering
You’ve gotta start somewhere, right? The first step is simply remembering. This is where you learn the basic facts, the terminology, and the fundamentals.
Think of it like when you’re trying to learn how to skateboard. The first thing you need to know is the names of the tricks (Ollie, Kickflip, 180), what the parts of the skateboard are, and the basic moves you need to stay balanced.
At this stage, you’re not doing anything fancy, but you need to memorize this stuff first. It’s like building the foundation of a house.
Step 2: Understanding
Okay, so you’ve memorized the names of things, but now you’ve got to understand why they’re important. This step is where you start to connect the dots.
Let’s stick with our skateboard example. Now that you know what an Ollie is, you need to understand why it’s a basic move and how it sets you up for more advanced tricks. You understand how bending your knees and jumping at the right moment creates the lift you need.
This step is crucial because if you don’t understand why something works, you’ll never be able to apply it.
Step 3: Applying
This is where it starts to get real. Application means you’re not just learning concepts in theory—you’re actually putting them to use.
Back to skateboarding. Now that you understand how to do an Ollie, you’re going to start practicing it. You take your skateboard out, maybe you fall a couple of times, but eventually, you land your first Ollie. Congrats, you’ve applied your knowledge!
Most people stop here. They think, “Cool, I’ve got the basics down,” but trust me, there’s so much more ahead.
The Danger of Stopping Here
Here’s where most people go wrong. They get to this stage, maybe they know enough to get by, but they never go beyond it. They don’t analyze what they’re doing or how they can improve. They think being “good enough” is the same as being an expert. Spoiler: It’s not.
If you want to become truly great at something, you need to push past this point. And that’s where the HOTS come in.
Step 4: Analyzing
Now we’re getting into the deep stuff. Analyzing means you start to compare your work or skills to others. You ask yourself, “Why is that person better at this than me?” or “What’s different about their technique?”
For instance, after you’ve learned the basics of skateboarding, you might watch a pro skater like Tony Hawk and start noticing what he does differently. Maybe it’s his stance, maybe it’s his timing, or maybe it’s how he uses momentum to pull off insane tricks. You start to study these differences and figure out how to apply them to your own skills.
Step 5: Evaluating
The next step is evaluation. This is where you make judgments and decisions about what you’ve learned. You figure out what’s working for you and what isn’t, and you make adjustments.
In skateboarding, this might mean deciding that your foot placement is off during your Ollie, or that you need to work on your speed before attempting harder tricks. You start fine-tuning your technique based on what you’ve learned and analyzed.
Step 6: Creating
This is the final step—and honestly, the most exciting one. Creating means you’re no longer just following instructions or copying others. You’re now creating something unique from your knowledge.
At this point in skateboarding, you’re not just doing an Ollie because someone told you to—you’re inventing your own tricks. Maybe you’re combining moves to create something new, something that reflects your personal style. You’ve taken everything you’ve learned and transformed it into your own creative expression.
This is where you go from being good at something to being a true expert.
Applying Bloom’s Taxonomy to Other Areas
Now, I know skateboarding might not be your thing. That’s okay. This process works for pretty much anything you want to get good at. Want to be a master in public speaking? Start by remembering key strategies (like how to structure a speech), understand why they work (what hooks an audience’s attention), apply it by giving speeches, analyze famous speakers, evaluate your own performance, and then start creating your own unique speaking style.
Whether it’s photography, music, programming, or even something like personal finance, the process stays the same. And what’s cool about Bloom’s Taxonomy is that it gives you a clear path to follow. You don’t have to guess where you’re going; you just take it one step at a time.
Quick Tips to Help You Along the Way
Before I wrap up, here are a couple of extra tips to help you level up faster:
Stay Active: Physical movement boosts your brain’s ability to learn new things. So whether you’re studying or practicing, take breaks to stretch or go for a walk.
Drink Coffee (But Not Too Much): Studies show that coffee can help improve focus and learning, but be careful—too much caffeine can make you jittery and distracted.
Be Patient: Mastering something takes time. Don’t rush the process. Give yourself permission to suck at first. The more you practice, the better you’ll get.
Learn from Others: Don’t be afraid to analyze the greats. Whether it’s through YouTube, books, or courses, learning from experts is a smart move.
Some recommended books available on Amazon:
1. "A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing: A Revision of Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives"
Authors: Lorin W. Anderson & David R. Krathwohl
Why Read It: This is a revised version of Bloom’s original taxonomy, offering a modern perspective on how to apply these learning objectives in today’s classrooms. It’s an essential read for educators, but even if you’re not a teacher, you can apply its concepts to personal learning. Click Here
Key Features:
Introduces a more dynamic framework of learning.
Explains the shift from static knowledge categories to more fluid ones, making it easier to understand and apply.
2. "Bloom's Taxonomy: A Forty-Year Retrospective"
Editor: Lorin W. Anderson
Why Read It: This book reviews forty years of research and application since the original Bloom’s Taxonomy was introduced. It reflects on its significance in education and beyond. Click Here
Key Features:
Detailed exploration of how Bloom’s Taxonomy has evolved.
A wide array of contributions from scholars in the field.
Conclusion
Becoming an expert in anything isn’t as hard as people make it seem. Sure, it takes time and effort, but it’s not some unattainable goal. It’s a process. A process that anyone (yep, even you) can follow if you’re willing to put in the work and follow Bloom’s six steps. So, what are you waiting for? Figure out what you want to be great at and start climbing the ladder. One step at a time.
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