It’s healthy to be sceptical about experts

Look along the shelves in any bookshop and you are bound to find that someone has written a book on whatever you need help with. But if not a quick google search will take you to the website or blog that will. We have unprecidented access to the knowledge of experts.

Which is great  – isn’t it?

But is there a danger that  – with so much expertise around – we start to undervalue what we already know and are good at?

I remember when my daughter was born I avidly read parenting books. I recall that everything I did seemed to be counter to the advice given . And then what could I do when two experts disagreed  – where was I to turn? Well in my case it was to my own dear Mum who was the best “expert” I knew – because she raised me and hadn’t done a bad job. And she told me that I should go with my instincts because I knew far more than I recognised about what was needed.

Maybe what that taught me is that when there is a wealth of knowledge and expertise available  is of the most value when applied in your own situation, selecting the bits that resonate with you – or indeed just feel “right” and working with them to see what happens happening . Experiment. Reflect on what happened. Do more of what worked and continue to try out new things.

I have heard so many stories from people who totally bought into what an “expert” advised only be left disillusioned, confused  and disappointed. A bit of mixing and matching might have made all the difference.

Experts have loads to offer but just remember there is only one expert on the topic of YOU!