Impostor Syndrome: Time to Stop Doubting and Start Earning

Every man who has ever tried to succeed has likely faced this feeling: "What if I'm not as professional as I think?" Impostor syndrome is the curse of the modern man, especially for those who truly have something to offer. Surprisingly, it’s often the most experienced and skilled guys who doubt their competence, while rookies with minimal knowledge confidently race to the top.

Every man who has ever tried to succeed has likely faced this feeling: "What if I'm not as professional as I think?" Impostor syndrome is the curse of the modern man, especially for those who truly have something to offer. Surprisingly, it’s often the most experienced and skilled guys who doubt their competence, while rookies with minimal knowledge confidently race to the top.

Let's be honest: if you've been in the market for 10 years, worked on tons of projects, and still think there are "real professionals" around the corner doing everything perfectly—congratulations, you've fallen into a trap. Yes, you made mistakes back in the day, but now you probably do things way better than many others around you. Yet, instead of appreciating your achievements, you prefer to lower your expectations and, consequently, the cost of your services.

Why Does This Happen?

One of the main sources of doubt is memories of the past. "When I was younger, I thought I knew everything but turned out to be wrong," you think. But here’s the key: any experienced person makes mistakes. It's normal. You learn from your failures, and that makes you stronger. But instead of admitting that you’ve improved and gotten smarter, you're still trying to shield yourself from new mistakes by charging pennies for your work. The logic is simple: "Well, if I charge less, expectations will be lower, and there will be fewer disappointments." But where’s the win in that?

The Million-Dollar Question

And here’s the big question: "When are you planning to start making serious money?" Okay, at 20, you're still learning and gaining experience. But at 30 — time to reap the rewards. Start earning big? Still no? Fine, at 40 — surely it’s time. But what if you're 50, and the industry is full of 35-year-olds who are ready to work for less? If you keep postponing the start of "serious earnings," you risk being left with nothing. When are you planning to enjoy life—on retirement?

Time to Take What's Yours

Impostor syndrome is not about reality; it's about our internal fears. The truth is, there are no "100% professionals." Tomorrow, you'll know more than you did yesterday, and that’s natural. But stop undervaluing yourself! While you're worrying about what clients or society will think, someone less qualified is charging three times more for mediocre services.

Remember: you can start earning at any age. The sooner you start valuing your skills, the more time you’ll have to enjoy the rewards. Don't wait until you're 50 to realize that you should have acted much earlier. Yes, there will be mistakes, but so will those who are charging triple for mediocre services. So why wait?

It’s time to stop doubting and start earning. Success isn't about the absence of mistakes, but the ability to move forward despite them.