"This isn’t a qualification… and it’s not real experience either."

You might not like what I’m about to say.

But if you’ve been feeling stuck, burnt out, or like everyone else has some magic formula to success that you missed, this might be the article you didn’t know you needed.

Let’s get to it:

"Faking it until you make it" isn’t a qualification. It’s not even real experience. It’s survival.

And it will eventually hit a wall.

The Quiet Crisis Behind the Hustle

Over the past few years, I’ve worked with dozens of entrepreneurs—brilliant, creative, and visionary people, many of whom are neurodivergent. And what I see again and again is this:

They found something they’re good at. They carved a niche. They started a business and may have even gained some traction.

But instead of building on solid ground with training, mentorship, and ongoing development, they’re balancing on a rickety tower of half-learned skills, borrowed templates, and YouTube advice.

At first, it feels exciting. Later, it feels exhausting. Eventually, it feels like imposter syndrome, burnout, and anxiety.

Not because they aren’t capable. But because deep down, they know they never laid the proper foundation.

When Education Has Betrayed You

Here’s the hard truth no one wants to say out loud:

Many neurodivergent professionals don’t trust formal education. Why? Because education didn’t trust them first.

They were labelled “disruptive” or “lazy” or “difficult” in school. They weren’t supported. They weren’t believed in. So they developed a different route: survive, perform, adapt. Fake it.

And then… one day, they realise they’ve built a business on the same strategy.

They’re so determined to never be humiliated again that they stop asking for help. They stop learning. They work twice as hard just to stay still. They confuse motion with progress.

And when that doesn’t scale, they think they are the problem.

The Difference Between Confidence and Competence

Confidence can be faked. Competence can’t.

Qualifications aren’t about pieces of paper. They’re about rigour, accountability, and depth of knowledge. Professional development isn’t just a luxury—it’s how you build resilience into your business.

Because when you’re not learning, your business isn’t growing. And when you’re only learning on the fly, your business is surviving, not winning.

A Culture Shift Is Needed

I’m not anti-instinct. I’m not here to say “go back to school” or "you need a certificate for everything."

But I am here to say this:

✨ Professional development is not something you outgrow.

✨ It's not just for people starting.

✨ And it’s not a weakness to admit that you need it.

We need to shift from “I’ll figure it out” to “I’ll invest in learning it properly.”

And that shift has to happen within us before it ever shows up in our marketing, pricing, strategy, or results.

So… what now?

If this resonated, I want to invite you to reflect, not with shame, but with curiosity:

• Where have you stopped learning?
• What are you avoiding because you’re afraid it’ll prove you “aren’t good enough”?
• What would your business look like if you built it from grounded, confident competence?

And if that’s something you want help with...building the kind of learning that sticks, that respects neurodivergent needs, and that actually moves you forward, I’d love to talk. DM me.

Because we all deserve the chance to make it without having to fake it.

Until next time, Marianne