The path to unconsciousness competence

I recently watched an insightful video by Rick Hotton Sensei on his Patreon page. In the video, he discussed the four levels of competence in learning a martial art or, really, any skill. His perspective resonated deeply with me, so I wanted to share my understanding of these levels:

Unconscious Incompetence

This is where we all begin. At this stage, we have no idea what we are doing or even what we should be doing. Despite this lack of awareness, we jump in and try. It’s not a fault, it’s simply the natural starting point when tackling something new without prior experience.

We blindly follow what we see and attempt to follow the instructions we are given. I remember this stage very well; I often felt like a robot with my feet glued to the floor and my hands tied together.

Conscious Incompetence

With some exposure, we start to grasp what we’re trying to do. At this stage, we understand just enough to mimic movements and follow patterns, but our execution is still shaky, and confidence is low. This is a pivotal phase because we recognize what we don’t know and begin to address it.

For example, at this point, we might be able to remember the sequences of a kata, but the movements appear manufactured. The start and end points might look correct, but there’s little fluidity or connection in between.

Conscious Competence

At this level, we achieve a solid understanding of the skill. We can perform techniques correctly, but we need to think carefully before and during each movement. Precision requires effort and focus, as our actions haven’t yet become second nature.

I spend over 80% of my time in this area, constantly adjusting and refining my techniques.

Unconscious Competence

Mastery is reached! After years of training and repetition, movements become automatic. At this stage, we no longer need to consciously think through each technique; instead, we execute them fluidly and instinctively. This level reflects the culmination of dedication and practice.

Rick Sensei often mentions, this is like opening the refrigerator door, an egg falls out, and you catch it without thinking. I would love to say that most of my training is spent in this stage, but honestly, there are few movements or techniques that feel truly automatic. However, I can say with confidence that I see improvement each and every time I practice.