What if I’m not good enough to succeed on my own?

Jan 20

Written By

Let’s start with a simple question: What are you good enough for right now?

If your gut reaction is “Nothing”—that’s a deeper problem, and no amount of business advice will fix it. But I’m willing to bet that’s not the case. You’re probably good enough for something right now. The problem isn’t a lack of ability—it’s uncertainty about whether your skills translate into something sustainable.

So let’s break it down.

Step 1: Get Real About Where You Are

Instead of spiraling into vague self-doubt, get specific.

What skills do you already have?
What problems have you solved in past jobs?
What kind of work do people already ask you for help with?

If you don’t know, ask someone who does. Talk to a friend, a mentor, or someone who’s already freelancing. Say, “Here’s what I can do—does this seem valuable to you?” Sometimes we’re too close to our own abilities to see them clearly.

Step 2: Assess What It Takes to Make It on Your Own

It’s not about “Am I good enough?” It’s about “What does it take, and how close am I?”

Making it as a freelancer requires a mix of:

A skill people will pay for (which you either have or can develop).
A way to market yourself (which can be learned).
The willingness to put yourself out there (which is the hardest part for most people).

If you’re missing any of these pieces, good. Now you know what to work on.

Step 3: Accept That You’re Probably Not “Good Enough” Yet—And That’s Okay

Here’s the truth: you might not be good enough yet.

That doesn’t mean you won’t be. It just means you have work to do. And the good news? Everyone starts there.

No one is magically “good enough” the moment they quit their job.
No freelancer lands their first client feeling 100% ready.
No business owner builds a thriving career without facing doubt.

The difference between the people who make it and the people who don’t? They start anyway. They get better as they go.

If you don’t feel good enough yet, convert that into motivation. Instead of seeing it as a dead end, make it a starting point.

Step 4: Expose Yourself to Possibility

You won’t know what you’re capable of until you put something out into the world.

Share your work—even if it feels unfinished.
Get feedback—real feedback, not just your inner critic.
Watch how people respond. Clients often see value in things you take for granted.

Every successful freelancer has a moment when they realize they’re further along than they thought. You might be closer than you realize—but you won’t know until you try.

Step 5: Redefine What “Success” Even Means

If you think success only looks like six figures and viral recognition, no wonder you feel like you’re not good enough. Success can also mean:

Having control over your time.
Doing work you actually enjoy.
Building something that grows over time instead of staying stuck in the same routine.

The real question isn’t “Am I good enough?” It’s “Do I want this badly enough to work for it?”

Last Thoughts

Feeling like you’re not good enough isn’t a stop sign—it’s a starting point. You are good enough for something right now. Identify it. Build on it. Close the gaps where you need to.

And most importantly—start. Because the only way to become good enough is to do the work.