What Are You an Expert In?

Last night, nine-year-old Anton did a sort of kicky handstand situation. Then he looked at me and said: “I’m a god at cartwheels.”

Yes! I laughed and clapped.

But his unapologetic confidence reminded me of a women’s leadership group that my friend Juliet recently attended. To kick off the session, they were asked to go around the room and say what they were experts in. Although they were doctors and professors and scientists, none of the women could bring themselves to say that they were experts in their fields. It felt too bold, too blunt, too absolute.

But why not? Everyone has expertise in different areas, large and small, serious and lighthearted. Why can’t we say it out loud?

So! I’ll go first: I’m an expert at finding killer Airbnbs, even with lots of parameters. I’m good at talking to little kids. I’m an expert at running a women’s lifestyle site. I’m good at faking an English accent. I’m at expert at giving back tickles and drawing words that you then have to guess. I’m good at not taking things personally. I’m an expert at climbing many flights of stairs instead of taking a scary elevator!!!

On the flip, I’m decidedly not an expert at cooking or running or hearing small noises without freaking out.

What about you? What are you an expert in? Be honest! Be proud! Harness the confidence of a nine-year-old boy!

P.S. A brilliant trick for worriers, and what’s your pro tip?

(Photo by Rowena Naylor/Stocksy.)