Finding Your True North: How to Claim Your Expertise

I was recently working with one of my dream clients, and I asked her to write down a few things she was an expert at in personal life or business. She answered, “I’m sorry, I can’t answer that. I’m not an expert at anything.”

If you would say the same, I’d bet you also struggle with self-promotion and how to sell your products or services. Know why? It’s because somewhere, deep inside, you believe that you’re not offering anything of true value to the world.

From Wikipedia, an expert is a person “believed to have special knowledge of a subject beyond that of the average person, sufficient that others may officially rely upon the individual’s opinion.”

If you’re in an entrepreneurial creative business, identifying your unique areas of expertise is a game-changer. Half of your success online is based on how you present yourself, your ideas and your brand to the world.

When I first started out in business, I thought “God-given talent” was extremely rare. I used to think only a select few had it, such as an amazing singer who was born with a beautiful voice. I’ve always admired talented singers because, no matter what I do, my voice will never sing like theirs.

After I found some success as a creative entrepreneur, I realized that while singing is not my talent, I am just as amazing at my own thing as great singers are at singing. I’ve come to understand that we’re each made to be brilliant at something, and it’s too often a greatness most of us never realize we’re living.

Sadly, many people don’t hear their calling. We’re often steered in another direction, or we stubbornly try to do what we think we should be doing, and we ignore our innate talents. People don’t always go inward to find their true north. Instead, we try to think about what would be right, rather than do what feels good. And more often than not, thinking too much and trying too hard are the main ingredients of an unhappy life.

I’m an expert at inner-expression. Wherever I go, I imagine how everyone else is feeling. I’m very tuned into how I’m feeling. I mirror moods. I cry easily: I shed tears through arguments, songs I love, football games (or, winning moments in general), prayer, laughter, and when I see babies being born on TV. Events, people, and nature move me; I care very deeply about the the things I care about. And I can’t not process my feelings.

You’re an expert at something, too, and I can help you name it. Why? Because it’s time for you to claim it!

Grab a piece of paper and write across the top: “I’m SO good at this!”

Then, create four columns:

I do this very well (I’m an expert + others value my opinion on the subject):
I do this rather well (I’m know more than most):
I do this pretty well (I’m better at it than some):
Things I’d like to do well in the future:

Keep this list with you every day for an entire week. You will probably enjoy many of the things you do very well, so train yourself to be conscious of all that you’re doing and how good you are at it. Some activities to consider: dancing, cleaning, writing, planning, budgeting, crafting, connecting, collaborating, organizing, cooking or baking, packaging, decorating, etc.

You’re going to be surprised at how many items you have to add to the list! Next time, I’ll tell you how to shine your light of expertise and become a beacon for success. Until then if you feel like sharing post your list of things you are so good at here in the comments or let us know where you struggled the most when you made your list!