Are you a wizard or a newbie or both? I’ll share a story that shows you can be both! To some people you will be a newbie and to others you will be a wizard!
New-bie or Wizard?
Are You a Newbie or a Wizard or both?
Let me tell you a funny little story.
A couple of weeks ago, I went to a forum on a specific technical subject and asked a question. One of the persons, who answered me, directly wrote: ”Ha, you’re a total beginner, right?”
I didn’t mind being called a newbie, I got my answer.
The very same week, I was on another forum, where people help each other on all kinds of subjects.
In a topic, somebody referred to me as a Wizard, and recommended the questioner to ask me for advice!!
And – this was related to exactly the same technical issue as in the first forum!!
So how come, that in the same week I was called a new-bie
AND a wizard on the same subject?
Well, I will tell you: The first forum is a forum for what I would call technical nerds!
And by nerds I mean people who know ALL (almost!) there is to know on a subject!
You know, people that can literally build their own computer etc. Real wizards!
On the other forum, people just didn’t know as much as I do on this subject!
So it is true: I AM both a newbie AND a wizard!
You can always find somebody that knows a lot more than you do,
but you can also always find somebody that knows a lot less that you do!!
This is an important lesson!
Let’s say you want to create an info product. Who will you make it for?
You will make it for those sitting ”behind you” in the classroom!
Maybe you can even do it a lot better than the socalled wizards,
because you are ”closer” in your knowledge to the buyers than a nerd is!
Let’s say you would create an ebook on how to write a blog.
The nerd would say: First set up a Word Press blog. Then…..
Well, maybe you should explain step by step how to actually put up a WordPress Blog!!
You see what I mean? the Nerds don’t see this as a problem, but you know, that it is for a lot of people.
Maybe you should even start explaining what a blog is! Many people don’t know!
So, where are you a wizard? And to whom are you a wizard?
My newest ebook How to Use GarageBand Vol.1 – Recording Your Voice
is not made for professional music producers.
It’s made for people who know nothing or just a little about recording techniques,
who would like to learn how to create audio products! It’s made for newbies!
By the way: To me the word ”newbie” is very positive!
That means you have a lot of interesting stuff ahead of you to learn!!
Thank you!
Also read: How To Use GarageBand
Claus~ this just makes perfect sense. You didn’t feel the pain of being called newbie, you saw it as an opportunity for growth. I’m grateful for this article this morning, newbie vs. wizard is a concept I need to remember.
Kudos, my friend!
Hi Tam
I’m so happy you found my post useful!
So many people think they don’t know enough
about a subject to pass it on. And it keeps them from creating
what might be an excellent product!
Claus!
Great post! I could see where being called a “newbie” could be “negative”, but since reading this you put a very “positive” meaning to it.
I also like the way you explained the difference between what a “nerd” would do about setting up a blog, and then you went on to explain how to make it less strenuous for a “newbie” to understand.
Good, solid content, Thanks!
Trap
Hi Trapper,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
I really appreciate it!
I love being a newbie. . . in all aspects of life because that means you still have that fresh curiosity about all things. There is always something new to learn. And once we learn it, we teach it!
Great post! Thanks!
Hi Martha!
Thank you so much for your comment!
And yes, learning new skills and having the curiosity as you mention is so wonderful!
Oh no! Claus you let the cat out of the bag! lol
We’re all newbies at something – so true!
I love sharing new info with my readers. I often go from “Newbie” to “Wizard” in minutes!
Fun stuff!
LOL, thank you KK!
Just learned a new expression!
“To let the cat out of the bag!”
“To let the cat out of the bag” LOL
I feel a katipedia post in the air, especially being a kat, lots of room to polay with this one.
Loved your blog post this morning…one of my favorite sayings “You can only go to where you come from” …and never forget where you came from…too often as people progress, they loose the ability to relate to other people from where they were once themselves…it is good to consciously recognize that we all operate at different degrees of any experience so that we can teach to those we see as having been where we were and learn from those who are where we want to be.
Great Post Kat~
Hi Kat,
That’s so true. Sometimes you simply forget where you were
yourself one month, one year etc ago… But when you do remember,
you can become a great teacher to others!
Thank you, Kat. You know I love Katipedia!
Good morning Claus,
Two things. Your blog post is great. You make an excellent point.
First thing I always think of when this subject comes up. The definition of an expert.
EXPERT: An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less until finally, they know everything about nothing.
Second thing, I once heard the analogy that life is like a parade. You can stand on the side and watch the parade go by or you can join the parade at the end. When you join the parade you are at the back, end (a new-bie) and the beginning is so far ahead you can’t even see the people up there (wizards) but you march along in the parade. Soon there are many more newbies behind you and to them you are the wizard.
So keep marching in your life parade….
Rob
Hi Rob,
Thank you for sharing those wise words!
It is a good thing there are people like you that get that there is a lot to learn when working with computers and the internet.
You are a wizard in my book.
Sheila
Thank you, Sheila!
I like to be in your book!!
Great post, and very interesting blog you have here Claus! I can certainly recognize being called both a wizard and a newbie in certain areas. Even in areas where I have spent many years bettering myself, there will always be an über-wizard somewhere, who considers me to be a newbie.
The thing is these terms are subjective – and hold no real meaning in themselves. The joy of living in a relativistic world
Hi Anders!
Thank you so much for your comment!
You’re right. No matter how long you study something,
there will always be an “über-wiz” somewhere!
I really enjoyed this post, Claus…
One of the tools I’ve picked up from the graduate program I’m attending (which I’ll also pass on to the students I’ll be tutoring next year) is not to say “I can’t” or “It’s too hard” but “I’m a beginner at….”
Thanks for giving another level of meaning to the message!
Hi Phila, great to see you here! I’m glad you liked the post.