How long does it take to become an expert in any field?

I have a subscription to Harvard Business Review. I was recently reading an article about what it takes to be an expert in any given field. While many may argue what the definition of an expert is, one thing is for sure, we seem to know when we are talking with one. This goes back to the basic idea that perception is reality. What I may consider as expert material, another may brush of as mere mediocrity.

According to the Harvard writers, expert realm requires one to be a student for at least 10 years in any given field. 10 years! I being 32 years old, would have at least 7 more years before claiming to be an expert (I started real estate at age 29).

Being fully aware of the reverse age discrimination that can be prevalent in the real estate industry, I jumped on the designation band wagon, and received my ePro, ABR, GRI, and CRS. Has this helped me? For sure. I have gone so far as to attach each of my pins to my name badge...making it quite weighty; however, when I go to classes, conventions, or meetings, people stare, and admire my "bling". For those of you who have seen the movie Office Space, Jennifer Aniston forever immortalized the power of bling and flair when it comes to shiny metal objects on our working attire.

So, in saying all this, Do you think bling, points of flair, and designations can actually contribute to your bottom line? It has to mine. Have I earned more GCI, than the thousands of dollars I have spent on getting designations? Probably. My wife has questioned the need for me to be gone for at least 20 nights of educational conventions; however, she never complains when she gets to buy a new outfit because I closed 3 transactions last month.

Get some designations. You will make more money. You will feel more confident when you are at your next listing presentation. After all, sold properties will put cash in your pocket...justifying all those designation classes and endless nights studying the CRS workbooks. That's ok though...with the CRS, you will likely be closing 4x the number of deals you were previously!