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I ran across a blog post about "stages of learning", as seen from a bit of academic hoo-ha called the "conscious competence learning model".

http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/get_a_life_blog/2007/06/knowledge...

The blog and post are focused on entrepreneurship issues, but the "stages of learning" model applies to a Drupal student's struggles as well.

Drawing from the post:

STAGE 1: UNCONSCIOUS INCOMPETENCE.
You aren't aware of what you don't know. Otherwise known as blissful ignorance.

Hmm. I think I can comfortably place myself past this level. I'm darned aware of how much further I need to go to become that Ace!

STAGE 2: CONSCIOUS INCOMPETENCE
You become painfully aware of what you don't know.

Oh, I'm there and I'm aware, all right.

STAGE 3: CONSCIOUS COMPETENCE
You are able to do the task with focus and mental effort.

Okay, I'll even allow myself as having one foot in this spot. I can now do many Drupal tasks – including starting new sites, DB creation and backup, site replication and relocation, multilingual setup, crude CSS hacking, and much more – if I focus and pay close attention.

The other foot still dangles precariously without place to stand. Important tasks like meaningful PHP modification, or mid-level .htaccess wrangling, remain outside my stage of learning.

STAGE 4: UNCONSCIOUS COMPETENCE
You do the task effortlessly without even thinking about it.

Nope. Well, sure, for simple little Drupal tasks ("create a menu item"), but not for big picture things ("create a new YouTube-like community site for video sharing, with appealing original graphic theme, within 3 days").

So there I am: straddling Stages 2 and 3 (and no doubt waving my arms wildly, looking ready to fall in). Drupal Acedom is Stage 4.

All right then. At least I have a yardstick now.

And what stage do you call your current home, Reader?