The Stages of Learning
- Haulwen Nicholas
- Mar 18
- 4 min read
Learning a new skill, whether it’s playing an instrument, starting a business, or developing a new mindset, doesn’t happen overnight. The journey from not knowing to mastery follows a predictable pattern, and understanding these stages can help us move through them with more patience and confidence.
The Four Stages of Learning, also known as the Four Stages of Competence, describe how we progress from complete unawareness to effortless mastery. These stages apply to everything we learn, from physical skills like driving to personal development, leadership, and emotional intelligence.
Recognising where you are in this process can help you stay motivated, embrace mistakes, and move through frustration with self-compassion.
Where Did the Four Stages of Learning Come From?
This model was developed in the 1970s by Noel Burch, an employee of Gordon Training International, as a way to explain how people acquire skills. It’s widely used in education, psychology, and personal development to help learners understand their progress.
The key takeaway? Learning isn’t instant, it moves through stages, each with its own challenges and rewards.
Let’s explore these four stages of learning in more detail.
The Four Stages of Learning
1. Unconscious Incompetence: “I don’t know what I don’t know.”
At this stage, we are unaware of our lack of skill. We may not even realise that there’s something to learn, or we underestimate the complexity of what we’re about to take on.
Example: A person who has never driven a car may assume it’s easy until they sit in the driver’s seat for the first time and realise how much there is to think about.
What happens in this stage?
We are blissfully ignorant of our lack of skill.
We may have false confidence and assume something is easier than it is.
We don’t yet see the value of learning because we don’t realise what we’re missing.
How to move forward:
Curiosity is key. The first step is realising that there’s something to learn.
Be open to feedback and new information, this helps bring awareness to the gaps in our knowledge.
Don’t let overconfidence keep you from exploring deeper understanding.
Conscious Incompetence: “I now know what I don’t know.”
This is where the challenge begins. You become aware of how much you need to learn, and it can feel overwhelming and exhausting. Mistakes are frequent, frustration is common, and progress feels slow.
Example: After the first driving lesson, the learner realises there’s a lot to think about coordinating the pedals, checking mirrors, steering, and navigating all at once feels complicated and exhausting.
What happens in this stage?
We experience frustration and self-doubt.
Learning feels effortful and requires constant concentration.
We are tempted to give up because the gap between where we are and where we want to be feels too big.
How to move forward:
Accept that mistakes are part of learning. Growth happens when we allow ourselves to struggle.
Focus on progress, not perfection, every small step moves you forward.
Seek support and guidance, teachers, mentors, or structured learning can help.
Keep practising! Repetition and patience will make things easier over time.
Many people quit at this stage because it feels uncomfortable. But if you push through, you move to the next level.
Conscious Competence: “I can do this, but it takes effort.”
Now, you are developing competence, but it still requires focus and practice. You can perform the skill, but it’s not yet automatic, you have to think through each step.
Example: A new driver can successfully drive but still has to concentrate on every action, checking mirrors, shifting gears, and staying aware of the road. It requires effort, but it’s getting easier.
What happens in this stage?
The skill is learned but not automatic.
You still have to think through each step carefully.
You make fewer mistakes and start feeling more confident.
How to move forward:
Repetition is key, the more you practice, the more natural it becomes.
Don’t rush, let the skill settle into muscle memory and familiarity.
Stay consistent, small, regular effort will move you towards mastery.
This is the stage where persistence pays off. Keep going, and soon it will feel effortless.
Unconscious Competence: “I do this without thinking.”
At this stage, the skill becomes second nature. You no longer have to actively think about it, it happens automatically.
Example: An experienced driver no longer has to think about changing gears or checking mirrors, they do it instinctively while focusing on the road ahead.
What happens in this stage?
The skill is fully integrated and feels natural.
You can multitask while performing it.
You may even teach others because you understand it so well.
How to move forward:
Keep using and refining the skill to maintain mastery.
Look for ways to improve and expand your knowledge.
Pass on what you’ve learned, teaching is one of the best ways to reinforce understanding.
How to Use the Four Stages of Learning in Your Life
Understanding the learning process can make a huge difference in how you approach challenges. Here’s how to apply it to different areas of life:
Personal Development: If you’re working on mindset shifts, emotional growth, or changing old habits, be patient. You’ll likely struggle before you improve, and that’s normal. This is an area a lot of people "give up" on as they feel like "it's not that important' and "want quick wins", yet this is an ongoing process for the rest of our lives.
Career & Skills: Whether you’re learning a new job, a business skill, or leadership, don’t expect instant confidence. Growth takes time, and self-doubt is just part of the journey.
Creativity & Hobbies: If you’re starting something new, writing, painting, or playing an instrument, expect the awkward phase. You don’t need to be good to enjoy something!
Wellbeing & Self-Care: Changing habits, whether it’s setting boundaries, prioritising rest, or improving self-care, follows this curve too. The discomfort means you’re learning!
Embracing the Learning Process
No matter what you’re learning, you will go through these four stages. The key is to:
Be patient with yourself—learning is a process, not a race.
Expect discomfort—it’s a sign of progress.
Trust the curve—every step is necessary.
Keep practising—repetition leads to mastery.
What are you currently learning? Where do you feel you are in the Four Stages of Learning? Let me know—I’d love to hear about your journey! 🌿✨ And look out for news on my School of Wellbeing, Wellness and Witchery, where I give you support on the learning process for each of the 4 areas of life mentioned above.
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