5 Myths About Underearning That Keep You Working Harder for Less
You can be driven, smart, and deeply committed to your work—and still find yourself earning less than you know you could.
That doesn’t mean you’re not capable. It means something deeper is happening beneath the surface.
Underearning isn’t about effort. It’s about energy direction—where your time, thoughts, and emotional bandwidth go.
Let’s look at the myths that keep so many high-achieving businesswomen stuck in the overworking-underearning loop.
1️⃣ Myth 1: Underearners Are People Who Underwork
Many underearners are the busiest people you’ll ever meet.
They volunteer, overdeliver, and fill every moment with productivity.
I used to be that woman—the first to raise my hand, the one staying late, believing the busier I was, the more I’d earn.
The truth? Busyness doesn’t equal abundance.
It often hides exhaustion and fear of slowing down long enough to feel our discomfort around money and worth.
2️⃣ Myth 2: Underearners Are Underachievers
Most underearners are overachievers who measure success by output, not outcome.
They check boxes instead of checking bank accounts.
Working smarter means learning to link your achievement to your earning potential, not to your exhaustion level.
3️⃣ Myth 3: Underearners Just Have Low Incomes
Underearning isn’t about numbers; it’s about capacity.
You can make six figures—or even seven—and still earn less than your true potential if you’re constantly emotionally drained, indecisive, or avoiding visibility.
4️⃣ Myth 4: Underearners Have Low Self-Esteem
You can have confidence and charisma—and still give your power away.
Many women know their worth intellectually but don’t embody it financially.
They still defer decisions, discount their rates, or seek permission to rise.
5️⃣ Myth 5: Underearners Don’t Think About Money
In truth, underearners think about money constantly.
They replay money mistakes, fear future shortages, or overwork trying to “get ahead.”
It’s not avoidance—it’s anxiety.
Working smarter means calming that mental noise so money becomes data, not drama.
If any of these myths sound like you, it’s time to uncover what’s really driving your overworking and underearning.
Take my free quiz: “What’s Blocking Your Business and Income?”
It only takes two minutes and reveals the hidden patterns that are draining your energy and profits.
👉 Take the Quiz Here
Awareness Questions
Where do I confuse activity with progress in my business?
When opportunities to earn more appear, what thoughts or emotions stop me from saying yes?
Whose approval am I still trying to earn before allowing myself to earn more?
Quick Wins
Name the pattern. Awareness breaks the cycle—write down where you overgive or undercharge this week.
Pause before volunteering. Ask, “Is this task tied to my revenue or just my reputation?”
Raise one small boundary. Whether it’s your price, your time, or your response time—protect one pocket of your energy today.
You deserve to earn what reflects your true value—not your exhaustion.
Let’s uncover what’s keeping your income capped.
👉 Take the quiz to discover your unique earning pattern and start working smarter, not harder.
