I was on a consultation call late last week with a prospective client when she expressed the concern that so many coaches, teachers and creatives have–“I feel like I need more experience. I need to improve my skills.” I sat and listened knowingly as she went on to share all the fears that I commonly hear from aspiring service-based business owners. Fears around lack of testimonials, fears around charging for her work and the fear that others are more equipped to serve her audience than she is. Much like other women I’ve worked with in recent months what she hadn’t yet learned is that there is one essential trait more important than your skills.
The reality is that your skills and competencies develop only through action. Hiding out in the shadows and withholding your work from the world is a sure-fire way to ensure that you never improve your skills. So for now what is the one trait worth developing above all else?
The one trait more important than your skills is your confidence.
Let me be honest with you…I didn’t always feel this way. I grew up in a society where it was expected that you had many years of education in any given field before stepping up to showcase your skills. I believed that I needed a piece of paper, a certification or a degree in order to have a business and even with those papers I felt unequipped to be teaching or coaching. I truly believed that nobody would want to hire me unless I possessed a list of skills the length of my arm. I was wrong.
A couple of years back when I first entered the coaching industry my beliefs were completely smashed by a coach who possessed what seemed to be few skills but an almost sickening amount of confidence.
I was brand new to the world of digital courses and was curious to learn more about how to create and sell courses online. I’d been following this particular coach for just a short amount of time when she reached out to me about enrolling in her course. I was surprised by the bold approach and curiously decided to enroll. It wasn’t the best course I’ve ever done but I ultimately fell in love with the coach’s work. Why?
Because the confidence she possessed despite her imperfections was refreshing and hugely inspiring.
Today this coach has almost a cult-like following of people who are obsessed with her work despite her constant spelling mistakes, very basic design skills and sometimes obnoxious attitude. But I’m not surprised because I’ve witnessed time and time again the power of attracting clients by simply having a crazy amount of self-confidence and passion.
You were placed on this earth to serve and you will forever be learning, growing and refining your skills.
Falling for the belief that you need to know more information or have more testimonials is not a good move. These beliefs will cripple your progress and stop you from moving forward. Because the truth is that we all started somewhere. We all started with no experience, limited knowledge and an empty client roster. But many of us chose to push past the fear and get the work done anyway. Many of us chose to show up unapologetically and serve the student that were ready for us to answer the call.
I myself have made the choice to ignore the fear and embrace the confidence of knowing that I am here to help people, that I have a wonderful message to share and that I am ready for the work. So what about you? Are you ready to kick your fear to the curb and step confidently into your role?
