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“You don’t know that you don’t know.”
At this stage, you’re unaware of your lack of skill or knowledge. You might even believe you’re doing fine because you don’t yet see what’s missing.
Goal: Become aware that there’s something to learn.
Example: A beginner who doesn’t realize trading requires structure and psychology they just think it’s luck or signals.
“You know that you don’t know.”
Awareness hits. You recognize your mistakes, but you can’t yet perform the right way. This stage can be humbling…frustration and self doubt show up, but this is where growth begins.
Goal: Stay patient and curious while building real understanding.
Example: You understand market structure now, but you still misread setups or jump in too early.
“You know how to do it, but you have to think about it.”
You can perform correctly, but it still takes focus and effort. You’re deliberately applying what you’ve learned, and repetition starts wiring it into habit.
Goal: Build consistency through deliberate practice.
Example: You’re trading well; checking timeframes, confirming entries, following rules but it still takes mental energy.
“You do it without thinking.”
Mastery. The skill has become second nature. You’ve internalized it so deeply that execution happens automatically..almost like muscle memory for the mind.
Goal: Maintain and refine mastery through awareness and teaching others.
Example: You just feel the market’s rhythm..no forcing, no overthinking, just flow.
Summary Table
| Level | Description | Awareness | Effort Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Unconscious Incompetence | You don’t know what you don’t know | None | Low |
| 2. Conscious Incompetence | You realize your gaps | High | High |
| 3. Conscious Competence | You can do it with focus | High | Moderate |
| 4. Unconscious Competence | You perform automatically | Low (intuitive) | Effortless |