Can you ever lose expert status?

Think you’re an expert? Ponder this…

Most people agree that it takes a long time to really reach expert status, but how long does it take to lose it? Is expert status something that comes and goes, or do you have it forever? After all, being an expert means knowing everything you can about a particular craft, no matter how specific. You could be an expert Apple pie maker, and expert business owner, or a social media expert, but what if you quit?

Can something that takes so long to earn be taken away so quickly?

Two ways to lose expert status

This led me to consider the two types of milestones that can be lost in the blink of an eye:

Someone who has a type of physical achievement. You may work your whole life to get in shape and finish that triathlon, but the minute you give up your superman cardiovascular endurance will quite right along with you.

Someone who has a type of mental achievement. You may work your entire life as an accountant, but if you give it up to live the life of a golfer, how will your math skills hold up? Anything that involves your mind needs to stay sharp and be practiced if it’s going to last.

Not only can you lose knowledge because you have given up, but you can lose knowledge because of age. As people grow older, it’s hard to stay on top of the times and do things that were once easier to a young body and a young mind.

via Can You Ever Lose Expert Status? | Expert Enough.

Go to the source if you’re interested in the topic. What do you think about the author’s position?