Here's Why You Aren't Getting Paid What You're Worth Yet.
Sophie Ash, BSc (Hons), DipION
Medical Writing Coach | I help driven professionals launch empowering freelance medical writing businesses
Yesterday, I met a spectacular woman and emerging entrepreneur who—frankly—is a cut above the rest. Not only does she live an enviable freedom-focused lifestyle that anyone would kill for, she does it with 100% authenticity.
Why am I sharing this? Because despite being incredibly accomplished and well-respected in all the career paths she'd had thus far, Jen suffers from a severe case of imposter syndrome and it's stopping her from charging good money.
'Imposter syndrome' is a frequently misunderstood concept. So, instead of explaining it to you in textbook terms, I'm going to demonstrate with Jen's story.
It starts with a vicious cycle of continuing education.
Jen and I got to talking because she's in the process of launching her own freelance medical writing business. Her website is built, she has a strong portfolio, her brand is one of the most well thought out I've ever seen, and her writing ability is ON POINT. The problem? She isn't making enough money.
A big reason for this is that Jen has fallen into a vicious cycle of continuing education. When she doesn't feel good enough about herself or her accomplishments, she takes another course or buys another program. She tells herself "This will help me bridge the gap and feel good enough!". But, what happens? She feels no different afterwards, and the cycle repeats.
To put this into perspective, let's look at some of the educational achievements Jen has under her belt:
Unsurprisingly, every time Jen starts another course, the instructor always says "Don't spend any more money on courses! What you have is good enough to get started in business."
But it's easier said than done.
It continues with bigger challenges and major life events.
Now, let's throw all of Jen's other accomplishments into the mix.
This is a person who's spent decades of her life pushing boundaries in her career, and even managed to prioritize family life when the time called for it. Some of Jen's other major accomplishments include:
This is not a woman who needs hand-holding in life.
This is not a women who has had anything handed to her.
This is not a woman who is afraid to do the work.
This is simply a classic case of imposter syndrome.
A tell-tale sign of imposter syndrome is the expression "I know I'll get there eventually on my own". You set your own limits.
It ends with a true recognition of self-worth and value.
If the answer isn't more education, how can Jen get paid what she's worth?
What can she do to reduce the overwhelm and anxiety around finding new clients, putting herself forward for opportunities, and charging in line with her expertise?
As someone who's invested ~$50k on coaching over the years (most of which has been focused around self-worth, self-acceptance, and sales) and built 2 thriving businesses, here's what I think:
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Jen needs to start seriously challenging some of her own limiting beliefs around the value she has to offer clients.
She has to surround herself with like-minded people who:
This will help Jen shift her deep-rooted beliefs and start turning the pages in the stories she can't stop telling herself (e.g. the "I'm not good enough" story, or the "I need to prove myself" story). Nip that sh*t in the bud.
Personally, I've had more luck finding such people in the coaching world because it's full of them.
Where there's a will, there's a way.
A lot of coaches can't find "their people", so they end up building communities of their own. This gives them a safe space to authentically express their thoughts, ideas, progress, setbacks, and so on.
The result? Instant access to everything you need to get unstuck and gain some serious momentum in your business!
Right now, I'm working with 2 coaches and 2 mentors to keep me on track (yes, I've suffered from imposter syndrome my whole life and it needs constant attention):
I also fit into the "I can't find my people so I'll make my own Community" demographic. The Prospologers Community is an incredibly rare and unique mix of physicians, nurses, scientists, therapists, writers, strategists, designers, entrepreneurs, travellers, and all-around movers and shakers.
You know that phrase "You become like the people you spend the most time with?". It's true.
The biggest shifts I've seen in my personal and professional life, and why I'm sitting here right now talking to ~1,500 people about freedom-focused entrepreneurship, have been because I chose to continuously invest in my own personal growth and wellbeing.
I chose to be happy. I chose to succeed. And I chose to do it in a way that felt 100% aligned with who I am at my core.
Investing in yourself doesn't equal instant success.
Now, I want to be very clear on something: By invest, I do not mean that the amount of money you spend is directly proportional to the results you'll get. It's most definitely not. Just because something's expensive doesn't mean it'll help. And just because something's cheap doesn't mean it won't.
The top 5 things to look out for in choosing a coach and/or community to help you boost your self-worth are:
If you follow these checklist items when seeking out a coach (or several!), you won't go far wrong.
Don't rush it. It's a big decision and it has to be the right one. If you aren't 100% aligned and on board with the investment, despite normal fears that come along with taking a big financial risk, you won't get results. But—dive into a coaching program that's perfect for you, head first, and you'll be bringing in the big bucks in no time!
Have you ever hired a coach specifically for self-worth, to boost sales? Recommend them in the comments so that others can check out their vibe!
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The Nurse Shark./Nurse Practitioner/Legal Nurse Consultant/Wellness Coach/Nurse Educator/Business Consultant at The Nurse Shark Academy/Podcast Host/Keynote Speaker
1 年I enjoyed your article.
Medical Writer || Project Manager || Consultant in Medical Writing || Consultant in DGERT certification
1 年Thank you, Sophie! So many reflections and what a boost of confidence!
I help researchers communicate their discoveries better and faster, with the Publicase Method. ? More papers published, more funding secured, more groundbreaking science.
1 年Thanks Sophie, for writing this. I think the imposter syndrome (which we all suffer from at some point) is a challenging and humbling (and at times painful) part of the journey toward self-discovery and growth.?The secret is to move on no matter what, with or without feeling like an imposter.
SEO Content Writer | Homo SERPiens | B2B SaaS, healthcare, lifestyle, sports & fitness
1 年Needed this!