Expert Level

Have you ever reached “Expert” level on something you didn’t even know you were working on?

I did this week.

If you’ve ever been around me when I’m working, there’s no hiding the fact that I talk to myself. Out loud. (Unless I’m writing, which is basically talking to myself silently, so I guess it still counts?) My friends who have shared cubicle space with me can report on the consistent stream of thoughts that come out of my mouth when I’m trying to get things done. I’ve been known to even argue with myself, or give myself a stern talking-to. It’s mostly unconscious, but every once in a while I become aware of something I just said into the air.

Monday held one of those times.

Some helpful context: my business partner and I are creating a downloadable workbook to help people become the best version of themselves, and I’ll definitely share it with you when it’s done – hopefully next week!

But consequently, on Monday, knowing I needed to get the content and design for the workbook finalized, I was writing a to-do list. Evidently, while I was doing so I started a small back-and-forth conversation with myself, questioning the best way to accomplish the task. I don’t remember how it started, (see above about unconscious behavior) but here’s roughly how it went:

Ashleyne A: “Then I’ll do the fillable portion after that 😊”

Ashleyne B: “🤔 what if you do the fillable portion first?”

Ashleyne A: “😬 that would be much more working 👎🏼”

Ashleyne B: “‘Much more working?’ Excuse me? 🤨”

Ashleyne A: “🙄🙄🙄 you know what I meant!”

That’s when my full brain tuned in and I heard myself.

I had just argued with my own dang self and ended it by poking fun at my words and then responding with annoyance…claiming that voice B knew what voice A was saying.

Well of course voice B knew what voice A was saying! They’re both me, for heaven’s sake!

And that was when I realized: I have reached “Expert” level of talking to myself. I can argue with myself and exhibit different emotions in one single conversation, without even meaning to. It’s official. I am an expert. I didn’t even know I was training for this, but every mumbled phrase and quirked eyebrow at my thought process along the way has led me to this.

Expert.

So. Has this ever happened to you? Perhaps you delivered the perfect retort and you realized that your lifetime of using sarcasm as a coping skill has finally paid off? Or maybe you rushed someone to the hospital and discovered your years of speeding (and consequently, expensive speeding tickets) have prepared you for exactly this moment?

Where have you, even accidentally, reached Expert level?

And while you’re here – do you do some writing yourself? Check out my e-book on how to be vulnerable and authentic in your writing without ruining your life!