Of the four stages of learning (or experiencing life), I recently fell into the second category as it relates to the ever-growing Twitter phenomenon (I'm @upyourbiz...if you're already in the know).
The first stage of learning is the "unconsiously incompetent". Think baby. Doesn't know anything and doesn't know he or she doesn't know it. The second stage...well I'll get to that in a minute (anticipation...are you feeling it?).
The third stage of learning is the consciously competent. Think teenage driver. The teen may know how to drive (and might do it well), but hasn't been driving enough that everything happens "automatically". The fourth stage of learning is the "auto pilot" stage. Have you ever driven from point A to point B and not even realized you'd been driving? Ever functioned "in a trance" and actually got something done? That's stage four...which is unconsciously competent.
So back to the second stage...where I was when I signed up for a Twitter account. That's where you know (conscious) that you don't know something (incompetent). I signed up for this account and now I have 14 followers. Wow...know what?
Twitter, if you don't already know (I'm obviously not talking to stage 3 or 4 learners) limits your comments to 140 characters...so you have to be brief. It also sends updates to cell phones (which I'm embarrassed to say I haven't figured out). But here's where I need some tutoring. Some people talk politics. Is that a good idea? Some people talk social views...some openly display biases...even hate for certain classes of people. Others shamelessly plug themselves or their products/services. What are the rules? What can or should be Twittered? Am I even breaking the rules by asking for a copy of the rules? I can hear some people saying "it's not about rules..." or "you'll figure it out." But in my mind, you burn a few people, you can suffer death by Twitter where you'll be castigated by the masses for violating the unwritten rules you should have known about in the first place. (Hmmmm...if a good rule book or Twitter for Idiots hasn't been written, seems like there's a need that an good entrepreneur could fill).
I feel like one of my daughters when they were younger and in the consciously incompetent stage. You know the string of questions..."why...?" Follow by "why...?" Followed of course by "how come...?" and "well why...?"
Anyone want to offer me up a quick and easy tutorial...in 140 characters or less? I need a "get to the point coach" here. Send it to me @upyourbiz if you're up for the challenge.
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