Have you heard the news? Most people struggle with imposter syndrome, in a lot of different aspects of life. And most people, it's not warranted, but that doesn't stop us from doubting our own expertise, or experience, or qualification. Heck, I didn't claim to be a published author out loud, without being prompted until my 4th book.
Looking back, that's pretty ridiculous. I'd been publishing children's book, spoken 3X in book festivals, established an LLC for my publishing and I still didn't think I qualified for the title.
I'm not a psychologist, and won't pretend to be. Then I would be an imposter. But I do know some of the things that helped me move beyond that limiting belief about myself.
Call it what it is. It wasn't until my 2nd year at UntitledTown Book Festival, speaking in front of 25 people who'd come to listen to me speak, that someone asked me how I'd overcome imposter syndrome. And it hit me. I hadn't. Owning that in front of a crowd and being honest with myself was step 1.
Research the qualifications. It's called fact-checking yourself. If your emotions are in the way, bring logic in to play. Per the words of Merriam-Webster, an author is someone who writes literary work, one that originates or creates something. So Merriam-Webster called me an author long ago. Published is to produced or release for distribution in book. So if you created an original work and produced it for distribution-- you are a published author.
Say it out loud to people you trust-- I am a published author. You already write and believe in the power of words. Use words on yourself. Say it enough times that you start to believe yourself.
Quit being such a judgmental human. And now you're all, "Me? No. I am not.", as they clutch their pearls in disbelief. I'm hear to be frank with you though. You are judgmental. Yes, in this instance you are very critical of yourself, but that doesn't negate the critical judgement. Quit being so harsh on someone's accomplishments, especially your own.
Recognize that limiting beliefs we place upon ourselves create pain and disconnect for people who look up to us. People are watching you and dreaming of the same accomplishment. By underplaying your own, you belittle what they see as a future success. See, judgy! If I published 4 books and don't think of myself as a published author, what am I making the first-time published author feel about their work?
See, I know first hand it isn't easy, but if you re-read those 5 things, you'll come to the same core understanding that lead me to drop the imposter syndrome and stand up as published author.
Playing humble and doubting yourself doesn't work. It limits your success, discounts your accomplishments, and stifles the dreams of those around you. And us writers, we aren't supposed to be about stifling dreams. We're supposed to be writing them into visions.
I am a published author. I am qualified in the work that I do.
Start today with the process of overcoming such a ridiculous concept with me:
Drop a comment and say the same thing I did!
I am a published author. I am qualified in the work that I do.
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