Why “I Should Know Better” Shows Up for Consultants
“I should know better.” You might say it to laugh off a mistake or to push yourself to do better in your consulting business. But the truth is, that phrase carries more weight than it seems.
In this episode, Melisa Liberman explores why this common thought shows up so often for independent consultants and how, when left unchecked, it can quietly erode confidence, slow decision-making, and create unnecessary friction in your business. While you may help clients solve these exact problems every day, applying the same thinking to your own business often feels surprisingly difficult.
🔗 Companion Resource: Take the Consultant Mindset Audit
Episode Timestamps:
[03:10] Episode agenda
[04:30] How the thought, “I should know better” can be useful
[08:00] What happens when that thought goes unchecked
[13:12] 2 ways to overcome this thought process
When “I Should Know This By Now” Gets in the Way
Melisa explains that the thought itself is not the problem. In fact, when used intentionally, it can be a valuable signal. The issue arises when the phrase becomes a throwaway joke or a form of self-criticism instead of a prompt for action.
She breaks down the three main ways this mindset can negatively impact your business:
- It creates emotional overhead by subtly undermining how you lead yourself and eroding confidence over time.
- It shuts down real problem identification by personalizing the issue instead of examining it objectively.
- It delays action by either letting yourself off the hook or keeping you stuck in self-doubt.
Turning Insight Into Executive Action
Then, Melisa outlines a simple two-step approach to move past this pattern and operate your business at an executive level.
The first step is a mindset shift. Rather than treating “I should know better” as humor or criticism, recognize that your brain interprets repeated language as evidence. Successful consultants are not those who never struggle, but those who trust their ability to figure things out and apply what they already know.
The second step is creating structure through a weekly executive meeting with yourself, a dedicated time to step out of day-to-day execution and evaluate the business objectively. This creates distance, clarity, and consistency, replacing intuition-driven reactions with intentional leadership.
Use Friction as a Signal, Not a Setback
Melisa also emphasizes the value of external perspective. Whether through a coach, advisor, or peer support, having someone who can help you see blind spots is often the difference between staying stuck and making meaningful progress.
Moments of friction in your business are not signs of failure. They are opportunities. When you stop brushing them off and start treating them as signals, you turn a subtle mindset trap into a powerful asset.
Connect & Resources
- 🔗 Companion Resource: Take the Consultant Mindset Audit
- Coaching for Consultants: Click here to apply for your Coaching Fit Call.
- Book: Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality
- YouTube Podcast Channel
- Melisa’s Free Resources, Books, Planners & Journals: https://linktr.ee/melisaliberman
- Website
- Mentioned in this Episode:
