It may come as a surprise to most people: to learn new skills you have to get used to not being as good as you were before. Do you need to read that again? I just met an experienced graphic designer and marketer (call him Jonathan.) After a steadily growing career at good companies, Jonathan decided to become a freelancer. The new world of Internet marketing, especially new ways of promoting products, pulled him in. After a quick introductory period of taking classes and watching instructional videos, he started looking for clients. One of his goals to be a proficient blogger and social media promoter. He planned to offer both traditional marketing and “new media” marketing. What an exciting plan! But things are not going as smooth to Jonathan as he anticipates. The hardest emotion to overcome now is the “I am not as expert as I was just six months ago (at my old job)”.
Jonathan’s old coworkers are also a little confused with him. As a marketing manager and a graphic designer before he was good. He worked well in large companies. He cooperated and helped all the people around him. Socialized with his family and even participated in extracurricular sport events. Now he seems to them like a somewhat clunky blogger. The sad part is what his old colleagues are missing: Jonathan is enthusiastic and knowledgeable in the field. He may not have all the skills of someone who worked as a blogger for the last five years. But he can bring new techniques and creative ways of doing things
