Calibration - how we compare

I was discussing the benefits and pitfalls of calibration with another SDM today.

Calibration is the excercise of comparing. But you may say: “Everyone is unique. Comparing is just creating mental stress.” Well, personal and professional growth involve continuous learning and skill enhancement. Calibration, comparing our skills with those who are at various stages of proficiency, is crucial part of this process. It offers us valuable insights to evaluate our skills and performance and plan our developmental trajectory. However, when not approached mindfully, this practice can indeed lead to mental stress. It's crucial to utilize calibration positively and constructively to foster self-improvement and protect mental well-being.

The act of calibration can, at times, cause us to fixate on the accomplishments of others, leading to feelings of inadequacy. Like, constantly comparing ourselves with a billionaire or someone with a lofty business title is not gonna help our happiness. Similarly, comparing ourselves to those at a lower skill level can trigger complacency. It's vital to approach calibration with a growth mindset, viewing it as a learning and self-improvement tool rather than a measure of self-worth.

The Understanding, Application, and Master signifie the different stages of proficiency when we acquire a new skill. It is a useful model I learned from my ski school to calibrate ourselves.

1. The Understanding Stage: This is the foundational phase where the focus is on gaining an understanding of the skills required. While it's tempting to speed through this stage, mindful calibration requires patience. Using others at this level as a benchmark can help identify gaps in our understanding and areas needing further refinement.

2. The Application Stage: At this phase, we put our skills to test in real-world scenarios. Although it's beneficial to gauge how peers are applying these skills, it's important not to allow their progress to determine our pace. Self-improvement is a marathon, not a sprint.

3. The Master Level: This stage is where we strive to achieve a deep, intuitive understanding of the skills. Comparing ourselves with experts can seem intimidating, but it's crucial to see their expertise as an inspiration, not a source of stress. These individuals can demonstrate the depth and subtlety that we should aim to incorporate into our skills.

Being mindful during calibration involves cultivating self-compassion, appreciating small victories, recognizing the efforts that drive progress, and seeing setbacks as learning opportunities. This approach turns calibration from a potentially stressful activity into a positive, motivating journey towards self-improvement. By maintaining a growth mindset, celebrating progress, and being patient with our journey, we can effectively utilize calibration to fuel personal and professional development while ensuring mental well-being.