There are skill levels in games, like LVL 1 Omnislash and whatnot. However, what about real life? Well, if you think about it, they undoubtedly apply as well. Recently, I came up with a level classification for RL skills which should prove useful for evaluating oneself. Basically, there are levels F to A, F being the weakest, A being the strongest. Of course, I came up with names as well.
F: Foundational level
At the foundational level, you are still building up your foundation. You have still yet to learn the basic forms/techniques. What results, therefore, is that you make the most glaring basic mistakes in your form that ‘turn the whole dish sour’. For example, let’s say that you are learning how to fight. One of the basic things in fighting is this – you keep your arms up in a ready position so that you can defend against any sudden attacks. Otherwise, even if your eyes are able to follow the attack, your body will not be able to react to it in time! Learn the philosophy of your stance/aka understand theory to practically apply it!
E: Entry level
At the entry level, you can say that you are already somewhat competent in this skill. However, it still doesn’t come to you so smoothly. You can’t enter the flow state while doing it! I’ll use it again, this example of Japanese. When I’m listening to English or Chinese, it’s like a passive skill! I don’t have to intentionally exert effort to understand what is being said! Half-paying attention is enough. However, for Japanese, if I don’t pay attention, I cannot catch the words! So at the entry level, you still need to pay some attention to what is being done. You have to try out stuff, do trial-and-error, let your brain build more connections with regard to it (accumulate experience and figure out the right synapses?? to fire when facing different circumstances). Try to get all the basics down and just keep at it till it levels up… frustrating though it probably is.
Daily level:
The daily level is where performing the technique is for you as easy as eating rice. For example, speaking your native tongue. You don’t have to think about what you are doing!! You just do it and do it ok, competently, clinically… It’s fine if you haven’t done it in a while. This is nothing your ‘muscle memory’ cannot take care of. As for your level of competency in this area? Er, you’d think at least upper average, wouldn’t you! This is the point where you can start expressing matter-of-factly that this is a strength of yours, something that you’re better at. Well, it’s not something that you’re great at, though, for that’d require actual hard work and dedication on your part. Right now, it’s more like a potential of yours that you could technically tap on if you want in birthing something greater (you put a language native in a language learners group and they’re kamisama).
Competitive level:
Personally, I feel that this level is where you can really be proud of what you’ve achieved. At this point, you have gained the ability to consistently and also confidently perform at a higher level for this task. If nothing else, you are able to say that you are extremely efficient at it. You are able to churn out high quality content smoothly that the layman will readily recognise as skilled. Discussions on your unique style/strengths can start at this point. Ultimately, however, this is still another!! developmental stage. You have yet to intentionally hone your form, bringing it to the next level. For even talent is but a starting point…
Being level:
At this level, the skill is a part of your very being! You have refined your form and thus no longer have to sweat over it… why, it comes just so naturally to you! Now, it’s really all about improving the core efficiency of your processor (in CPU terms). Of course, if someone were to ask you why you do this or that, you need only think to grasp the answer. Why, that’s simply how it is! By doing this, you are… etc etc etc. Yeah, it works, but… could it work better? What is really necessary at this point is for you to innovate a little, try out different innovative approaches to bring your performance to a whole new level/achieve a whole new masterpiece.
Ascension level:
念来法随。You need only think, and it shall be done. You have perfect awareness and control over the situation (you have limits obviously, but you are perfectly aware of the capacities available to you, your prediction flawless!). When people thinks of this domain, they think of you. Whatever you meet in this domain, you respond eloquently, masterfully. Eternal glory is yours, you are supreme. All hail!
And that’s it! Now in writing this post I myself have simultaneously refined my understanding on these skill levels and tired myself out. That’s all for now!
PS: And so I gotta upgrade my skill list from the draft to the actual.