The Lie That Keeps Experts Stuck (And How to Break Free Today)

Most experts don’t struggle because they lack skill. They struggle because they’re waiting.

Waiting for permission. Waiting for validation. Waiting for someone else to anoint them as "ready."

But here’s the truth: Authority isn’t given. It’s taken. Not in three years. Not "someday." Now.

The Velvet Cage of Playing It Safe

The whispers always sound reasonable. "Be patient." "Build credibility first." "It takes years to establish yourself."

Safe sounds smart. But safe is a velvet cage, comfortable enough to keep you there, confining enough to keep you from ever truly leading.

I had this moment when I left my corporate job to build my business.

The second the pay cheque stopped, the pressure was real. The mortgage, school fees, the weight of being the breadwinner.

Then, one morning, after dropping my girls at school, a fellow coach walked home with me. She was stuck, debating whether to return to her full-time job.

She sighed, “Everyone knows it takes at least three years to build a stable business.”

Three years?

I stopped in my tracks. Looked her in the eye. And said the only thing I knew to be true:

?? “I don’t have three years. So I’ll make it work in one.”

Not a hope. Not a wish. A decision.

Fear Thrives on Waiting—Success Thrives on Certainty

Fear tells you to hesitate. To gather more proof. To wait until you feel “ready.”

But success? Success bows to certainty.

And within a year, I wasn’t just surviving, I was thriving. Not because I had all the answers. Not because I waited for external validation.

But because I built my Authority Triangle:

The Three Steps to Unshakable Authority

This is how you stop waiting and start leading today.

Step 1: Proof—Claim Your Wins

Authority begins with evidence. The strongest credibility isn’t what others say, it’s what you know to be true about yourself. ? Write down three undeniable pieces of proof that showcase your expertise. (Client results. Hard-earned skills. Personal breakthroughs. They all count.)

Step 2: Perspective—Own Your Opinion

Facts tell, but perspective sells. Your unique take on your industry is what separates you from the noise. ? What’s the industry norm that you reject? (What’s the tired advice you refuse to follow? That’s where your authority begins.)

Step 3: Presence—Show Up Today

You can’t be the best-kept secret and the go-to authority at the same time. Visibility is non-negotiable. ? Post. Go live. Send an email. Pick one and do it today. (Because authority isn’t built in the background, it’s built in motion.)

No More Waiting—Your Authority Starts Now

The world doesn’t need another cautious optimist. It needs leaders. Experts who own their space.

So tell me in the comments:

?? What’s the ONE thing you’ve been waiting for that you’re ready to claim today?

Your audience is watching. It’s time to show them who you are.

Lots of love

Sarah x