I Always Thought: They Should Already Know It. I Was Wrong.
Why Your ‘Obvious’ Ideas Still Matter Deeply to Others
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TL;DR
Many creators hold back on sharing ideas because they seem “too basic”, but what’s obvious to you might be life-changing to someone else.
This post unpacks the mindset behind that hesitation, explains why it’s flawed, and shows how even simple insights can deeply impact others.
Whether you’re a step ahead or ten, your voice matters and your unique way of explaining things might be the key that unlocks someone’s next big breakthrough.
So don’t overthink it and share what you know!
The Mindset That Held Me Back
You know that moment when you’re staring at a blank screen, idea in hand, but you just can’t bring yourself to hit “post”?
Yeah, that was me.
For months, I’d jot down ideas for courses, blogs, and ebooks… then file them away.
Why?
Because I thought, “They probably already know this.”
I had this quiet, gnawing fear that if I shared something too “basic,” people would roll their eyes.
Or worse, judge me for not knowing “enough.”
I mean, in a world full of experts, thought leaders, and hot takes, who wants to hear the beginner stuff, right?
Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Where This Thought Comes From
So, what causes us to second-guess our most helpful ideas?
Well, it’s a little thing called the curse of knowledge.
Once you’ve mastered a concept, it becomes second nature.
You forget what it felt like not to know it.
It’s like trying to remember life before learning how to ride a bike, it’s fuzzy at best.
Then there’s the comparison trap.
Social media makes it easy to feel like everyone else is three steps ahead.
We scroll past polished content, jargon-filled posts, and think, “OMG, I’m clearly behind.”
Lastly, there’s fear, that good ol’ voice whispering, “If I share this, I’ll look like I don’t know enough.”
We start associating simplicity with inadequacy.
But here’s the twist.
Simplicity is often what people crave most.
A simple answer to a question.
A simple solution to a problem.
Why This Thinking is Flawed
Let’s get this straight — what’s obvious to you might be a game-changer to someone else.
Think about it:
Not everyone is at your level. Some folks are just getting started and they need those foundational steps.
Learning isn’t always about discovering new information. Sometimes, it’s about hearing something at the right time from the right person in the right way.
And truthfully? Your voice — your unique way of explaining things — might be the only one that finally makes it click for someone.
So no, it’s not about being the most advanced. It’s about being available for the people who are one or two steps behind you.
The Moment I Finally Put Something ‘Basic’ Out There
Let me tell you about the time I finally bit the bullet and launched something I thought was “too basic”.
How Solopreneurs Win with AI: A Creator’s Playbook for the Human-Centered Business
I almost didn’t publish it.
My inner critic was on full blast:
“This is stuff people can Google.”
“Who would actually need this?”
“Isn’t this too simple?”
But guess what happened?
I got emails like: “Oh wow, this made everything finally make sense for me.”
People messaged me on Threads saying they’d saved the post to come back to later.
Some even said, “I wish someone had told me this when I started.”
Check out all the amazing testimonies:
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“Finally, a book that treats AI as a creative co-pilot instead of a gimmick. The chapter on voice and POV helped me write my best-performing post ever.”
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“I finished the last page and immediately recommended it to five friends. It’s empowering, practical, and just the right amount of kick-in-the-pants.”
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I was floored.
Something I nearly deleted turned out to be exactly what people needed.
I’ve also received this amazing note from a fellow solopreneur:
What I Learned From That
A few big truths hit me like a train:
You don’t need to be groundbreaking to be helpful. Clarity beats complexity every time.
Repetition is part of learning. People need reminders, not just new info.
You don’t have to be miles ahead to teach. If you’re one step ahead, you can still reach back and help someone else across.
It shifted how I approached content.
I stopped aiming for brilliance and started aiming for usefulness.
The Real Truth: There’s Always Someone to Teach
It’s easy to forget, but the internet is full of people at every possible stage of learning.
There are:
Beginners looking for their first “aha” moment
Intermediate learners searching for clarity
Experienced folks who just want a refresher
And guess what?
Someone out there needs to hear your exact message, in your exact words, from your exact perspective.
It doesn’t matter if 100 other people have said it.
Your version might be the one that sticks.
Advice for Creators Holding Back
If you’ve been sitting on an idea that feels “too basic,” here’s what I want you to know:
Test it before you trash it - you might be surprised by the response.
Start with what you wish you had known earlier - that’s often where your gold is.
Create for your past self - that confused, curious, or overwhelmed version of you? They still exist in someone else.
And hey, what’s basic to you now was once brand new. Right?
Before You Go: A Simple Reminder
If you’re second-guessing your next post, course, or message because it feels too simple… stop.
That idea you’re sitting on? It might be exactly what someone needs today.
You’re not “too basic.”
You’re the right person, saying it in the right way, at the right time.
Over to You:
What’s one idea you’ve been holding back because it felt “too basic”?
Hit publish.
Share it.
Someone out there is waiting.
You don’t need to be on Step 5 to help.
If you’re on Step 3, you can guide Step 2.
Teach your past self. That’s your audience.
Interesting Substack Posts I Read This Week:
The 5 Ways I Earn Money on Substack (And You Can Too) by
21 Thinking Tools for Making Better Decisions by
Infinite Prompting: Get AI To Think 60x Longer And 5x Better With One Prompt by
From Books to Memes to Multiplayer Pitches: 12 Games I Built With AI by
I Asked 30+ AI Experts to Reveal What They Wish Someone Had Told Them When Using AI by
4 Things to Stop Being Invisible on Substack by
The unexpected therapeutic value of NotebookLM by
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Anfernee
You’re very spot on about the knowledge curse. I’d also add that the more you know, the more you realize how much you don’t know and that can also freeze you up sometimes (from sharing it with others). But I fully agree, sharing what you already know is super valuable. And when you’re still close to learning something yourself, it’s often easier to explain it to people just starting out, because you remember exactly what tripped you up.
Thanks for sparking this conversation & and really appreciate the mention!