There’s a powerful framework that describes how we grow into confidence and mastery—it’s called the Learning Stages Model, developed by Noel Burch in the 1970s, and it outlines four core stages of learning:
- Unconscious Incompetence – You don’t know what you don’t know.
- Conscious Incompetence – You realize what you don’t know.
- Conscious Competence – You know what to do, but it takes focus and effort.
- Unconscious Competence – You do it automatically and instinctively.
It’s the same process we all go through when learning to do almost anything—like driving a car.
Think back to before you ever got behind the wheel. You probably assumed it would be simple: turn the key, hit the gas, go. That’s unconscious incompetence—you don’t know what you don’t know.
But then comes your first real driving lesson, and suddenly, you’re overwhelmed by mirrors, turn signals, blind spots, and brake pressure.
That’s conscious incompetence—you now know there’s a lot to learn.
Eventually, after practice and maybe a few nerve-wracking drives, you can make a left turn without overthinking every step. It still takes effort, but you’re getting it. That’s conscious competence.
And one day, you’ll drive across town, pull into a parking spot, and realize you barely had to think about it. That’s unconscious competence—the knowledge is now second nature.
How This Applies to Business Coaching
This is definitely how my journey into business coaching unfolded.
In 2020, I felt a deep desire to help others. I had already invested tens of thousands of dollars—and years of my life—into mentoring, healing, and personal growth.
It had changed my life.
I had become a better wife, mother, and human being.
Naturally, I wanted to share that transformation. So, I pursued a mentoring certification, thinking it was the logical next step.
At that point, I was standing at the starting line of my own “business driving lesson,” firmly in unconscious incompetence. I had no idea how much I didn’t know about actually building a business. I thought, “If I have something meaningful to share, people will just find me.” I expected clients to show up because I had heart and purpose—but I had no real plan.
A Lightbulb Moment and a New Direction
Then, in the spring of 2021, a longtime childhood friend invited me to a free, online training. I signed up with curiosity and hope—and it was a turning point. That training was my version of the first driving lesson: it opened my eyes to how much I didn’t know.
That’s when I shifted into conscious incompetence. I finally understood that while I had valuable knowledge to share, I didn’t yet know how to structure, market, or sell to clients. But there was power in that realization.
Once I knew I didn’t know—I could seek support.
I joined the same training again the next month and then enrolled in her coaching program. That opened the door to even more learning.
Over time, I invested in additional business coaching programs from inspiring businesswomen. I learned about strategy, client attraction, automation, content creation, and how to build a business with heart.
Practice Builds Confidence
Like driving, business started to feel less overwhelming and more natural. I moved into conscious competence—I could take consistent action, but it still took intentional thought. The systems didn’t run on autopilot, and I wasn’t immune to doubt, but I knew what to do and had the tools to get back on track when things felt wobbly.
Today, when I’m speaking with another woman about her business, I can clearly see the path forward for her. It’s like muscle memory—I just know what needs to happen next. That’s the beginning of unconscious competence. It doesn’t mean I’m perfect or done learning (I don’t think we ever are), but much of what once felt difficult is now flowing.
A Soulful Partnership
I’m so grateful to co-lead Soulful Business Coaching with my brilliant partner, Sharee. She is a gifted energy healer, anintuitive mentor, and a true genius with technology (she won’t say that, but I will!). While I support the coaching, strategy, and implementation side, she brings incredible depth to energy work and tech systems. Together, we help women build businesses that feel aligned with their purpose and rooted in practical strategy.
We believe that business isn’t just about sales and systems—it’s about healing, confidence, and clarity. And it’s okay if you’re not there yet. We’ve both been at the beginning, not knowing what we didn’t know.
What Stage Are You In?
If you’re finding yourself in one of the early stages of the Learning Model—feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or stuck—we want you to know you’re not alone. We’ve walked that road. And we’d love to help you take the next step.
That’s why we offer complimentary strategy calls. We’ll meet you right where you are, identify your current stage, and explore how you can grow into the business owner you’re meant to be—with confidence, clarity, and connection.
💬 Ready to step into your next stage of business growth?
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