Dreyfus Skill Acquisition Model: Mastering Expertise Step by Step

Posted on: 2025-04-25 13:00:00

The Dreyfus brothers—Stuart and Hubert—developed a skill acquisition model in the 1980s, outlining five stages from novice to expert. As a full-stack developer and marketer, I’ve applied this framework to coding, fitness, and business. It’s a roadmap to mastery.

Stage 1: Novice

Novices follow rigid rules without context. When I started coding HTML in 2015, I memorized tags—

for paragraphs,

for headers—blindly applying tutorials. It’s like my first gym day: 'lift this, rest that,' no intuition, just steps.

Stage 2: Advanced Beginner

With experience, you spot patterns. By 2016, I tweaked CSS beyond tutorials, adjusting margins by feel. In fitness, I paired exercises (push/pull) based on trial, not just plans. Context emerges, but rules still dominate.

Stage 3: Competent

Competence brings planning. By 2018, I built full websites—HTML, CSS, JS—choosing frameworks like Flask for purpose, not habit. In the gym, I designed A/B splits, competent but not fluid. Decisions weigh options, not just instructions.

Stage 4: Proficient

Proficiency blends intuition with analysis. In 2022, I launched Segnals’ bots, tweaking algorithms instinctively after years of coding. My 5-day workouts became seamless—adjusting reps mid-set by feel. Dreyfus notes this stage prioritizes outcomes over process.

Stage 5: Expert

Experts transcend rules. In 2025, I debug complex fintech systems instantly, like Clonevest’s signals, seeing solutions others miss. My gym routine’s second nature—full-body mastery. Per Dreyfus, only 1-5% reach this, acting holistically.

Applications in 2025

This model guides my ventures. Novices need rules (Cleanesty’s cleaning scripts), while I push for expertise (Segnals’ AI). It’s not linear—setbacks refine intuition. Whether coding or lifting, mastery demands time, failure, and reflection.

Back to Blog