One of the most common fears that I talk about with clients who are about to step into the spotlight and be more visible online, is the big old faithful: What will everyone who knows me think about me?

When I start putting my photos up are they going to think I’m full of myself? Will they laugh? Will my peers think that I shouldn’t be doing it because I may or may not be as ‘qualified’ or as ‘experienced’ as them?

Self doubt is insidious and we have all experienced it at one point or another.

I remember when I first started in 2010 I was worried about all of the above. It was around the time when coaching was really starting to boom and there were new people like me coming into the scene all the time.

I remember talking to a friend of mine, Margaret, who would tell me stories about some of the types of people who were coming through the program that she was in. She was talking about CEO’s and well seasoned business owners. Yes, there were others, but the ones that stuck in my mind, were people who I believed were more ‘qualified’. I felt like I was a very very small, new, tender little fish in a very big pond of people who knew how to survive in business.

But I sucked it up and just did what I could do. Reminding myself that everyone starts somewhere, and I’ve just got to keep on going. I used to remind myself nearly every single day that one more day in the ‘business bank’ is one more day in the business bank!!! Just keep banking the days and it will all work out.

Then, in 2015 when I really wanted to pivot my business because I’d grown tired of doing things that I felt like I HAD to do (which was destroying my soul), I remember thinking again about what my peers would think about the change. I was worried about what my audience would think about the change. I was worried the changes wouldn’t work.

Somehow, with 5+ years in the ‘business bank’ how come I was still worried about other people being more ‘qualified’ than me to do what I do!?!?!?!? It was crazy! I found myself again in self doubt land, which is not a great place to live! It’s not even a nice place to visit.

The thing that really changed things for me, after pretty much burning my business to the ground, was that I found ME. I found my voice. I found my way of doing things. I found the way that worked for ME.

Some things that it’s important to remember when you’re growing visibility and stepping into the spotlight, is that even if there are people out there who have more experience than you or who are more qualified than you, it doesn’t take away from you.

You know the quote ‘the stars don’t shine any less bright just because there’s another star in the sky’… same goes for you in your industry. You just have to start, baby.

Remember who you are.

Remember that what you bring to the world, the VALUE you bring to the world is not based on how many qualifications you have or certifications or whatever widget you’re measuring yourself against. YOU are the value.

So get out there, go help some people. Have fun doing it and remember the world is ready for your brand of awesome.

Nic

Want some help getting your amazingness out of your head? Want to create a solid content plan for the next financial year? OOH YYYYEAAAAH!! Join me for VISIBLE LIVE : The Not The National Tour happening 16 & 17^th of May https://bit.ly/nmvisiblelive2020