This informal CPD article, ‘Impostor Syndrome Isn’t About Lack of Skills — It’s About Lack of Clarity’, was provided by OBM School, an online training academy that teaches you how to start & scale a thriving business as an Online Business Manager.
For many new (and even experienced) online service professionals, like Online Business Managers (OBMs), impostor syndrome isn’t a fleeting feeling — it’s a recurring internal dialogue that whispers: “You don’t know enough.” “You’re not ready.” “Who do you think you are?”
And here’s the kicker: it often gets louder the more you grow.
You land better clients. You raise your rates. You step into a leadership role. But somehow, the voice of self-doubt doesn’t quiet down. Instead, it escalates.
So, let’s set the record straight: impostor syndrome has very little to do with your skills or capabilities. In fact, most OBMs already have more than enough experience (even if they’re new to the role). What they lack is clarity.
The Real Reason Impostor Syndrome Takes Hold
Impostor syndrome is a conditioned response rooted in outdated survival instincts. When we step outside our comfort zones, our brains treat this expansion as a threat. This is why a simple task like raising your rates or calling yourself an “online professional” can trigger a full-on fight-or-flight reaction.
But here’s where it gets even more interesting: what most aspiring freelancers are truly battling isn’t a lack of skill. It’s the ambiguity around what being a service support professional (ie. virtual assistant, OBM) actually entails.
Without that clarity, it’s easy to spiral into self-doubt, undervalue your services, and even work for free just to "prove" yourself. It happens time and again.
5 Strategies to Break Free from Impostor Syndrome
1. Own Your Expertise (Without Waiting for More Credentials)
An alumni student, Emily, completed a business program and had 10+ years managing million-dollar marketing budgets and leading operations. Still, she lacked self-confidence and thought she needed another certification. But what she really needed was to recognize her transferable skills and understand what kind of business manager she wanted to be!
2. Create a “Win File”
Your brain craves PROOF. When left unchecked, it defaults to failure. That’s why documenting your wins — praise from clients, successful project outcomes, even your own proud moments — can be a powerful antidote to doubt. Screenshot testimonials, jot down results, and review them whenever doubt creeps in.
3. Stop Using Free Work as a Confidence Crutch
Working for free may seem like a strategic way to gain testimonials, but it often leads to resentment, blurred expectations, and undervaluation. Even a discounted rate is better than nothing. You are already worthy of being paid for your time and expertise (even if you’re just starting out).
4. Take Action Before You Feel Ready
Confidence isn’t a prerequisite for action — it’s the result of it. That first cold email, discovery call, or client onboarding may be terrifying, but it’s how confidence is built. Fear doesn’t mean stop; it means GROW.
5. Surround Yourself with People Who See Your Strength
Impostor syndrome thrives in isolation. But in the right community, it loses power. Join masterminds, seek out mentors, and place yourself in rooms where people reflect back your value until you believe it yourself.
What You Need Isn’t More Experience — it’s Definition
Most freelancers, like OBMs, don’t struggle because they lack ability. They struggle because they haven’t been shown the clear definition of what the OBM role entails, what clients actually expect, and how to translate their past experience into high-value offers.
Once that fog lifts, the confidence follows naturally. Because when you understand the core functions of an OBM — from systems building to team management and metrics tracking — you can finally connect the dots.
Take Control of Your Confidence
There’s no denying that confidence doesn’t come easily. It comes from clarity, community, and the courage to take the next step — even when you feel uncertain. The more you understand the expectations of your role, the easier it becomes to trust your path.
So if that inner voice is creeping in again, remember: it's not a sign that you're not ready — it's a sign you're expanding. Stay curious. Stay connected. And keep showing up.
You’ve already got what it takes.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from OBM School, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
