Read time: 2 min.

This happens more than I'd like to admit.

Each week I speak with coaches who're incredible at what they do.

They get real results. Have happy clients. And years of experience.

But then, they drop this bomb:

"I'm not really an expert."

My heart breaks a little every time I hear this.

It's like they think expertise means you have to be the world's leading authority on everything. That you need a PhD, a TED talk, and a bestselling book before you can help anyone.

But that's not how it works.

"Expert" is a relative term.

You don't need to know everything.

You just need to be several steps ahead of the people you serve.

Think about it this way: If you're drowning and someone throws you a rope from 10 feet up, do you care that they're not standing on Mount Everest? Of course not. You care that they can pull you to safety.

Your clients aren't looking for the world's foremost authority. They're looking for someone who understands their struggle and has walked the path they're trying to walk.

That someone could be you.

Here's what I mean by that: you know that thing you did two years ago that felt impossible at the time? The framework you built from scratch because nothing else worked? The expensive mistake that made you wiser?

That's gold to someone facing that exact challenge today.

Here's the truth

The market doesn't care if you're the best coach in the world. It cares if you can solve the specific problem your ideal client is losing sleep over.

While you're waiting to feel "qualified enough," someone with half your knowledge is out there serving people and building their business. Not because they know more, but because they understand that expertise is contextual.

So here's what I want you to do this week:

• Step 1: Write down 3 problems you've solved.

• Step 2: Pick the one you're most confident talking about.

• Step 3: Share exactly how you solved it in one post.

That's it.

Don't overthink it. Don't make it perfect. Just help someone avoid the detour you had to take.

Your experience matters. Your perspective is valuable. And yes, people will listen.

They're actually waiting for you to speak up.

Much love,

— Martijn