Overcoming Impostor Syndrome When Writing Your Book

You are not alone if you struggle with self-doubt as you write your book.

When you are stepping into a new version of yourself as a published book author, it’s almost inevitable that inner fears and insecurities will arise along the journey and stall your progress.

Every book author I know (including me!) has had to reckon with their inner voice of fear at some point while writing their book. It might be quietly whispering to us in the back of our minds, or on some days, it may be loud and outright paralyzing. When we get stuck and doubt our capabilities, I call this our ‘inner impostor.’

Regardless of our training or subject-matter expertise, our inner impostor might create thoughts that sound like:

Who am I to write a book?

Other people have written great books on this topic; mine will never be that good.

Nothing I want to share sounds that original, interesting, or intelligent.

What if I’m just a fraud?

When you find yourself second-guessing your expertise, knowledge, credentials, or the whole idea of writing a book, say hello to ‘impostor syndrome’!

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines impostor syndrome as “a psychological condition characterized by persistent doubt concerning one's abilities or accomplishments accompanied by the fear of being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of one's ongoing success.”

Feeling like a fraud or that we aren’t “good enough” is a common subconscious fear that holds us back from making big changes in our lives, including achieving the dream of becoming a published book author. Impostor syndrome makes us doubt ourselves despite our greatness and threatens to stop even the most accomplished among us.

Literary legend Maya Angelou talked about the impostor feelings she experienced each time she published a book: “I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’”

Angelou was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and won three Grammys for her spoken word albums (plus numerous other awards), yet she still felt that, deep down, she didn’t have a clue what she was doing.

Does knowing that even the most accomplished writers and creators second-guess themselves help ease your self-doubt?

Fear of change is human and is at the root of our self-doubt and impostor syndrome. It’s essential to give ourselves a break when the inner voice of fear shows up. We don’t have to be perfect or have it all figured out to be able to help or inspire others with our book.

Though my inner impostor is much more manageable now that I’m aware of it and have practical tools to move through it, it still shows up. Facing my own limiting beliefs and fears has helped me step out of my comfort zone and ultimately transform my life. From personal experience, I know that facing and moving through these fears as they come up will help me to continue to grow and evolve.

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If you are serious about your commitment to serve by writing a life-changing book, it’s time to examine whatever may be holding you back.

If you’re ready to stop stalling your calling and bust through writer’s block, self-doubt, limiting beliefs, and other obstacles to finishing your book, I wrote my new book just for you! You can find Awaken Into Flow, The Soulful Leader’s Guide to Writing a Transformational Book, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other online booksellers.

For your inspiration and forward momentum, download Chapter One of Awaken Into Flow here:

https://www.modernwisdompress.com/awaken-into-flow