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How to Deal with Your Doubts

March 22, 2019 by kirstenoliphant@gmail.com Leave a Comment

All writers struggle with insecurities. I heard from a few writers this week feeling like failures. These were writers who are at various stages of their writing and publishing careers all with the same struggle.

We have all been there! I hope this post can be an encouragement to you if and when you’re feeling insecure about your writing or creative work.


LISTEN TO EPISODE 155 – HOW TO DEAL WITH YOUR DOUBTS


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Learn how to demolish doubt that you encounter in your creative life!


HOW TO DEAL WITH YOUR DOUBTS

Identify the trigger

Can you find out what is causing those feelings of doubt? I’ve struggled with and still struggle with depression. When I’m having a low day, I put it on the calendar. It helps me identify if something happened to trigger it. There isn’t always something, but for you maybe it’s reviews or a particular Facebook group that makes you feel unhealthy. Try to find the cause.

Remove or adjust

If you are able to avoid or remove that thing from your life, even temporarily, do it! If not, see if you can find a way to adjust. I’ve left groups that made me doubt myself, disconnected from Facebook friends who weren’t positive, and I’ve taken breaks from writing altogether as needed.

Find support

We all need other creatives and to know that they are right there with us. Look for a group that makes you feel your worth. I don’t mean a group of people who tell you what you want to hear. But find a group that will speak the truth to you kindly and that will share in your struggles.

Remind yourself of truths

Focus on what you KNOW to be true, not how you FEEL. In January I had my best month ever. Then in February…I didn’t. I was really low. When I talked to my husband about my income that month, he reminded me that though my income was lower than January, it was still my third-highest-grossing month. I got caught up in feelings, not facts.

Take an action to move you forward

I’ve learned that I hit a low point at the time I finish a book. I am filled with self-doubt and even self-loathing. I think my book is the worst thing I’ve ever written. I want to quit. Once I identified that as a trigger, I learned to take an action: I start a new book. As soon as the finished book is with my proofreader, I open the next Word doc and start typing.


You are not alone in your doubt! 

Every so often I’ve heard someone try to say that if you have doubts that it’s just imposter syndrome or a sign of immaturity in your career. Just say NO to that nonsense.

At some point, you DO have to get out of your head and take action. You can’t allow these doubts and hardships to hold you back. But having them is NOT a sign that you don’t know what you’re doing or that you have a lot to learn.

I’ve experienced doubt every single month for the last year, even though on paper I’ve gone from making under $100 a month to a healthy four-figure income.

You’re in good company!

You might also like: 

Joanna Penn on Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome

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An epic course for fiction authors with practical strategies to create a six-figure income.

Hey, I'm Kirsten!

(Rhymes with BEER-sten.) I am the author of Email Lists Made Easy for Writers and Bloggers and the host of the Create If Writing podcast. My goal is to help writers, bloggers, and creatives like YOU turn readers into raving fans and learn to make a living doing what you love...without being smarmy. Questions? kirsten at kirstenoliphant.com

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