Hey there,

Running a day late, but Shift Notes took the scenic route to your inbox this week, but I hope you'll find it’s worth the wait.



Everywhere I look right now, people are buzzing about micro-credentials. They’re the new “must-have” in the business world, and I’ll admit, the term itself sounds kind of intriguing.

If you haven’t run across the term yet, a micro-credential is just a mini-certificate. A short, focused class that gives you a digital badge or certificate to say you’ve learned a specific skill.

Sounds fancy, right? Like we all need a sash to pin our badges on if we want to be taken seriously.

But here’s the thing I really want you to hear: you don’t need yet another certificate to prove you’re good at what you do.

Let’s take me for a quick example. I’ve been running a business for 18 years, building websites for 17, and experimenting with AI tools since 2020. All of that lived experience tells a much richer story than some digital badge or certificate on my LinkedIn profile. And I have to believe that clients and collaborators care a lot more about the results I’ve achieved than whether I sat through some 12-hour online module.

That’s not to say micro-credentials are bad. They can be useful if you’re pivoting into a new area, trying to pick up a brand-new skill, or applying for jobs where recruiters are scanning for specific boxes to be checked. In those cases, a micro-credential can give you a boost.

But they’re not a replacement for real-world know-how. They don’t outweigh the confidence you’ve built through hard work, problem-solving, and showing up day after day.

Here’s what I’d suggest: before you sign up for the next shiny course, pause and ask yourself:

• Am I genuinely excited to learn what’s being taught?
• Will it add something new to my toolbox?
• Or am I just chasing validation that I don’t actually need?

Because here’s the truth: you’re already more qualified than you’ve been led to believe.

Digital badges and certificates can fade into the background. But the wisdom, grit, and results you’ve earned? That’s the kind of credential no one can take away.

Skip the badges, trust your brilliance,

P.S. Let’s talk about the real culprit here…

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking you need one more credential, one more course, one more “must-have” before you’re good enough, that’s not strategy talking. That’s your inner critic.

It’s infamous for whispering that you’re not ready, not qualified, not “there” yet...so you keep piling on certifications instead of trusting your experience.

If that hits a little too close to home, you’ll love my Banish Your Inner Critic Replay. It’s a replay-only version of the workshop that helps you shut down that nagging voice and start owning your brilliance.

👉 Grab the replay here

💌 Share the Love

If this edition of Shift Notes gave you a little “aha!” moment, pass it along. Forward it to a friend, colleague, or fellow entrepreneur who’s drowning in badge-chasing and needs the reminder that their experience already speaks volumes. The more we spread this message, the fewer people will waste time chasing validation they don’t need.

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