There’s a curious thing that happens when we set out to teach others: we suddenly forget everything we know.

Or at least, it feels that way.

You could be the go-to person in your field. The woman (or man) people call when they need clarity, strategy, insight, or that uncanny ability you have to simplify the complex. You’ve run a successful business, juggled teams, nailed client transformations, survived a rebrand and figured out how to use Notion without sobbing.

And yet — when it’s time to create a course, your brain whispers:

“But who am I to teach this?”

Let me stop you right there. You are the quiet expert. And it’s time you recognised just how powerful that is.

The Curse of Competence

The tricky thing about being good at what you do is that it starts to feel... normal. You solve problems on autopilot. You forget that others don’t see what you see. And because it comes easily (or because you've worked hard enough that it now feels easy), you undervalue it.

This is classic Quiet Expert behaviour: assuming your genius is just common sense.

Well, guess what: it’s not.

What you’ve learned through your work, your business, your experience — it’s not just valuable, it’s gold. The kind of gold people are actively searching for. But if you’re caught in a loop of self-doubt, it’s incredibly easy to downplay it.

Self-Doubt: The Sneaky Saboteur

Self-doubt doesn’t always kick the door in and announce itself. Sometimes it shows up dressed as perfectionism. Or procrastination. Or "I just need another certification."

It tells you you’re not ready. It tells you there are others more qualified. It tells you your experience “doesn’t count” because you didn’t do it the traditional way.

And all of that? It’s a very sneaky form of self-sabotage.

Why? Because it keeps you playing small. It stops you from packaging up your brilliance and putting it out there to help others. It whispers that you’re not enough — and in doing so, it steals the impact (and income) you could be making with your course.

So, How Do You Recognise Your Expertise?

Let’s dig into some ways to lovingly shake you out of that doubt spiral and remind you that you are the expert — and yes, people do want to learn from you.

1. Write a “Done List” Instead of a To-Do List

Make a list of all the things you’ve accomplished in your business or profession. Big or small. Projects completed, clients helped, systems set up, wins achieved. Seeing it all laid out is like looking in the mirror after a really good haircut — oh hey there, competent queen!

2. Audit Your Inbox

Scroll through old client emails or feedback. Look at the questions people ask you again and again. These are clues. You have knowledge people trust. That’s expertise.

3. Teach Something to a Friend

Pick a friend (preferably one who doesn’t do what you do) and explain one concept you use all the time. Watch their face light up. Their “wait, what?! That’s brilliant!” reaction is a confidence booster and a reminder that what’s obvious to you is not obvious to others.

4. Trace Your Transformation

Where were you 5 or 10 years ago? And where are you now? What skills, knowledge, or tools helped you bridge that gap? That journey holds the map for your course — and proves you’ve already walked the path your students are trying to follow.

Strengthening Your Confidence Muscle

Confidence doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it just needs a nudge. Here are a few gentle, practical ways to build belief in your own brilliance:

Create a Brag File

A digital (or paper) folder of kind words, testimonials, thank-you notes, or even screenshots of nice comments. On days when doubt kicks in, read it like a love letter to yourself.

Start a Tiny Teaching Practice

Try sharing a tip on social media, writing a short email to your list, or recording a 3-minute video. Teaching in small, low-stakes ways helps build confidence in your voice and message.

Get Feedback, Not Validation

Ask a trusted peer or mentor for feedback on your course idea or lesson outline. Don’t look for praise — look for useful insights that help you feel grounded in what you’re creating.

You Don’t Need to Be the Loudest Voice — Just a Clear One

You don’t have to shout to be heard. You don’t need a million followers or a polished TED Talk. What you do need is the willingness to show up with what you know, in a way that’s helpful to the people who need it.

Quiet experts make the best teachers. You listen. You reflect. You’ve done the work, often twice over. You see people — and that makes you powerful.

So if you’ve been waiting for some cosmic permission slip to step into your expertise — here it is:

You know enough. You’ve done enough. You are enough.

The course you’re dreaming of creating? It’s not just possible. It’s needed.

Now go on, expert — the world’s waiting.

Want help pulling your brilliance into a course people can’t wait to join? 

Let’s chat. I offer 1:1 course consultation and mindset support to help you stop second-guessing and start launching. Book your spot here: https://bit.ly/4i0Lxiq