The four-step cycle of expertise

I believe the following cycle is the fastest and most effective way of developing new expertise:

1. Learn the theory.
2. Watch people who are doing it.
3. Do it yourself.
4. Teach it to someone.

You'd run the cycle for different skills and, preferably, for different levels of expertise for each skill. Gradually, you become a great expert.

Update 2025-04-30: It's been about 5 years since I wrote this. The original version had the first three steps, but I've realized how helpful the fourth step is since then.

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