Overcoming Imposter Syndrome to Reach Your True Potential
Five strategies from one struggling writer to help quiet the negative thoughts in your head.
The voices have taunted me since childhood.
Messages appear out of nowhere and from no one else but me. Things like: “You’re not good enough,” “You’re a phony,” and “You’ll never succeed.”
Never mind if I’d studied for hours and could recite the material inside and out. Or, if I’d already earned an A in the class before taking the final exam. Moments after completing a test, I was the girl who usually announced, “I’m sure I failed!”
Anticipating defeat comes naturally. Why expect things to change now that I’ve become a writer? Or at least a wannabe writer who hesitates to officially declare herself as such since I have yet to land an agent or publisher for any of my novels.
But here’s what I’ve learned. Those cynical voices stem from imposter syndrome — persistent self-doubt and the fear of being exposed as a fraud. I clearly suffer from it. No wonder I always talk myself out of celebrating whenever I move the needle in the right direction.
- When I receive positive feedback from my critique partners, I wonder whether they’re being nice to avoid hurting my feelings.
