Imposter syndrome.

Last week I had three separate conversations with friends of mine who told me they are suffering from imposter syndrome and the sense that they don’t belong in the room with people who they see as more qualified, more talented, more everything. This is despite the fact that they were invited into the room  because someone else saw qualities and skills in them that they needed.  This is something I’m also grappling with in my new job and something I have struggled with on this writing journey. 

Yet when I look at my friends it’s clear how this insecurity and lack of confidence  that they don’t belong is stopping them from even getting going. How it’s stifling their creativity and ability to move beyond their mental and emotional limits.  But like with anything it’s not so easy to see that when you are the one experiencing it. This is why I wanted to write about it this week because I wonder how many of us suffer from imposter syndrome and how many of us are just stuck on the same spot because of it.

How imposter syndrome keeps you stuck;

• It stops you from pursuing goals by creating self-doubt and a fear of failure

• It can lead to you avoiding new challenges or opportunities because you think you aren’t capable, even when evidence says otherwise

• The fear of being uncovered as a fraud can lead to procrastination

To overcome imposter syndrome it’s important to recognise the negative thought patterns controlling you and challenge it. This will help build your confidence step by step, so you can go after your goals more freely.

If you are a first-time writer and especially if you’ve started later in life, it’s vital you overcome imposter syndrome so you can have a fulfilling writing journey. Below are some of the strategies you can use to overcome the big shouty voices when they take over;

• Acknowledge your achievements - have you finished your first chapter, first draft, third draft? Then well done.

• Recognise your unique journey - this will bring invaluable perspectives to your writing.

• Set realistic goals - I talked about this in my last post Social Media Strategies but it applies here as well. Break down your writing goals into smaller, achievable tasks and celebrate each milestone

• Remind yourself of successes - think about all the times you've overcome challenges and achieved succes in any area of your life

• Seek support - share your writing aspirations with supportive friends, family, or writing groups. Surround yourself with encouragement

• Accept imperfection - understand that initial drafts are not meant to be perfect especially the first draft, which is why it’s called the vomit draft. Embrace the writing process and see imperfections as opportunities for growth

• Keep learning - know that every writer, whatever age, is on a learning journey. Invest time in improving your writing skills and knowledge

• Know that imposter syndrome is common - many writers, even really the gargantuanly successful ones, experience imposter syndrome; Maya Angelou; J.K. Rowling; Stephen King. You aren’t alone in this struggle.

• Positive affirmations - counter negative thoughts with positive ones. Remind yourself of your worth and the value your unique perspective brings to your writing.

In the end, remember that being a first-time writer is a brilliant achievement in itself. Embrace your passion for writing, follow your heart and with time, your confidence will grow. Until next time.

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