In a recent LinkedIn post, Janet Kim explores the common tendency for individuals, particularly leaders, to hesitate in investing in themselves, even while readily investing in others. She highlights the internal contradictions and self-imposed standards that can hinder personal and professional growth.
Kim shares a personal anecdote about spending over two months resisting something she desired, citing reasons like cost, time, and not feeling ready. She describes these justifications as feeling “responsible. Measured. Adult.” However, she identifies a critical contradiction when comparing this self-applied hesitancy with her unquestioning investment in her children’s education, growth, and future.
“I invest in my kids without hesitation. In their education. Their growth. Their future. I invest in my family because I believe in who they’re becoming. And there I was, telling myself that investing in me was out of the question.”
The Double Standard of Self-Investment
Janet Kim argues that this disparity reveals a “different standard” applied to oneself compared to loved ones. She points out that the same cognitive capacity used to construct elaborate reasons for self-doubt can be redirected towards building a case for self-worth and potential.
Reframing Self-Investment as Responsibility
According to Kim, the core issue isn’t a lack of confidence but a matter of self-permission and perceived indulgence. She contends that leaders often model not just outcomes, but also the willingness to invest in themselves. This involves actively challenging self-doubt, applying the same generosity to oneself as to others, and reframing self-investment as a responsible act rather than a selfish one.
“If I can build a detailed case for why I’m not good enough, I can build one for why I am. If I can list ten reasons to say no, I can find ten reasons to say yes.”
Kim emphasizes that the problem is not overthinking itself, but rather the object of that overthinking – often, it’s about protecting others at the expense of oneself. She suggests that once the misconception of self-investment being selfish is shed, the decision becomes clearer and more manageable.
Practical Steps for Leaders
Janet Kim outlines actionable strategies for leaders to overcome this internal hurdle:
- Acknowledge doubt but refuse to let it be the sole voice in decision-making.
- Practice the same level of generosity towards oneself as one extends to loved ones.
- Reframe personal investment as a responsible and necessary action, not an indulgence.
- Consciously stop applying a harsher standard to oneself than to others.
“Leaders don’t just model outcomes. They model what they’re willing to invest in.”
By recognizing that investing in oneself is simply “overdue,” individuals can move past the internal resistance. Kim concludes by prompting readers to consider areas where they freely invest in others but hesitate to do so for themselves.
“Overthinking was never my problem. It was who I was protecting.”
Kim’s insights, drawn from her extensive experience in tech and leadership development, encourage a more balanced and self-supportive approach to career and personal growth, urging leaders to model the very self-investment they champion.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Janet Kim on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on October 2, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →