The #1 Obstacle Doctors Face When Creating Extra Income

The first time I experienced impostor syndrome, it was a complete surprise.

I remember it clearly.

It was during my Intercalated Degree

(This is the year where you step out of medical school and join the final year of an undergraduate science degree. No differentiation or adjustment period. You're simply expected to perform at the same level as the biomed students who'd been on the degree for 2 years).

I had just finished presenting a poster on Nitric Oxide and Vascular Permeability.

I never saw myself as "the academic type," so when they told me I'd scored a strong First, (88%) I was stunned.

Then things got even more crazy

There was a prize, and the judges were split. So two of us had a sudden death type

Final round: To defend our subject knowledge under pressure.

I didn’t feel proud, I felt afraid.

Afraid everyone could read my thoughts which were..

"This is where they find out I don't actually deserve this."
"I only pulled this poster together the night before."
"The other person must be better than me."

But somehow… I won.

Me? the person who didn't see herself as academic, who rushed the poster after spending the weekend celebrating a friend's 21st.

That moment and many since, have taught me something.

Impostor syndrome doesn't care about evidence

It doesn't care whether you performed at a high level or that professors chose you for a Prize

It only cares that your identity hasn't caught up with your capability yet.

If you have ever done anything meaningful.. then I can bet my house, you can relate and you’ve come across Impostor Syndrome, and if you’re planning on creating extra income, you WILL meet it again.

I wish I could tell you exactly when, but it’s so random, that sadly I can’t,

But I can tell you where it comes from and how to deal with it so it doesn’t ever have to slow you down.

Trust me, if you're a doctor exploring options outside of traditional medicine, you need to be prepared for the mental and emotional rollercoaster ahead.

So here are 9 key things you should know about Impostor Syndrome:

📺 Prefer to watch? Here's the Video breakdown

PART 1: WHERE IT COMES FROM (Understanding the Enemy)

1.Impostor Syndrome hits everyone

It’s not a condition or abnormality, it originates from childhood.

As children we compare our inner environment with others outward environment. In most cases, this was our parents or people more “mature’ and advanced. We had no access to their inner thoughts and so their confidence and capabilities seemed so foreign.

So when we then grow up and don’t feel as confident as they looked, we think “I don’t deserve this” or “I’m a fraud”.

The gap isn't real, but the feeling is.

2. It affects high-achievers the most

It’s a paradox. High-achievers tend to set higher standards. You’re more aware of what you don't know, you’re likely surrounded by people who are impressive to you

So the comparison trap gets stronger

Then when things come easily to you, you dismiss them as "not special." 

But If someone else did the same thing, you'd be impressed.

The irony is that it appears because you're doing things that matter. This is why the most accomplished people often feel like frauds.

And if you're a doctor? This gets even worse

3. Doctors have some of the highest rates of impostor syndrome

Medical training is designed for you to second guess yourself, (with good reason). However this means, you're constantly tested, compared, reminded of what you don't know.

The same thing that makes you valuable, blinds you to your value

PART 2: WHEN IT SHOWS UP (Recognizing the Pattern)

4.It shows up strongest in transitions

When you're building something new. If you’re changing jobs, stepping out of your comfort zone, or unsure of the outcome.

So when you choose yourself and an alternative option..

"Who am I to charge for this?"
"I'm just a doctor. I don't know business" or "What if my colleagues see this?Posting content, charging for non-clinical work the voice can seem louder because you FEEL you don’t have the right to.

5. It doesn't disappear when you get more qualified

Your achievements and qualifications are why it shows up in the first place, so getting more of them, won’t necessarily solve it.

So I stopped trying to eliminate it. Instead, I learned to recognise it, process it, and act anyway.

That's how I started this newsletter. How I built the workshop I'm hosting this week.

Stop waiting for it to go away before you start it likely won’t

This is why so many doctors analyse to paralysis when they trying to build income outside medicine

6. You never know when it will show up

I know I just said it shows up in transitions, but it also shows up in weird circumstances. I could speak at The Royal College of Anaesthetists and feel fine, but feel like an impostor speaking to Secondary School children.

It showing up is inevitable, whats more important is what you do about it

PART 3: HOW TO HANDLE IT (Taking Action)

7. It makes you underestimate your past and overestimate other people

You look at your achievements and think: "Anyone could have done that." You look at someone else's work and think: "They have it all figured out." But they're looking at you the same way.

You're comparing your internal doubts and vetting system to everyone else's polished outside.

8. Evidence rarely "solves" impostor syndrome, but Identity does

You can collect all the proof in the world. Awards, testimonials, results Because impostor syndrome isn't about what you've done. It's about who you think you are.

The doctors who succeed aren't the ones who wait to feel ready they're the ones who claim the identity before they have all the evidence.

9. Impostor syndrome makes people work harder, not less

Impostor syndrome makes people work harder, not less

It makes you overcompensate... which leads to burnout.

The way forward?

Stop trying to prove yourself and start building anyway.

That's exactly what I had to do.

Impostor syndrome could've stopped me from building Portfolio Launch™.

I'm glad it didn't.

Because I've now helped doctors at every stage, from exploring ideas to building real, aligned income streams that feel meaningful and pay well.

With Black Friday coming up, this is your chance to get clear on your first or next income stream inside our Accelerator with extra time and support to make real progress

Black Friday bonus:
🟩 + 1 extra month of support
🟩 + A bonus 1:1 session

If you want to take advantage of this and start 2026 with a clear, confident income plan, here’s the Black Friday link