Imposter syndrome preys on our insecurities and attacks our self-belief. It wants to rip apart our achievements and reduce us to our failures. It’s horrible to experience…but so, so normal.

For something that leaves us feeling so alone, it turns out that imposter syndrome is a universal experience. According to Forbes, 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their lives, and I’m willing to bet the percentage of writers with imposter syndrome is even higher.

I’ve felt the fear and anxiety of imposter syndrome at multiple points in my freelance writing career and when you’re in the thick of it, you feel like you’re never going to get out. But you can beat your imposter syndrome. Keep reading to learn how.

1. What is imposter syndrome?
   1. Symptoms of imposter syndrome
2. Why writers get imposter syndrome (all the time)
3. How to beat imposter syndrome as a writer
4. Imposter syndrome coaching
5. Can you really overcome imposter syndrome?

What is imposter syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is the repeated fear that you are in a role or place that you do not deserve – you start to believe you’re literally an imposter.

This typically stems from a lack of self-confidence as you are doubting if you are ‘good enough’ to take on the opportunities around you. The less we believe in ourselves, the more we worry that we’ve gotten this job, client, or contract not because of our skill and talent, but because we lied, tricked, or fell into it by accident.

This is the irrational mind speaking.

There can also be an external factor to feelings of imposter syndrome. If you look around your industry/career and don’t see someone who looks like you, you might subconsciously start wondering if you don’t belong there.

The difficulty with imposter syndrome is that it usually sneaks in without us noticing. Our confidence drops little by little until one day we wake up thinking we don’t deserve the life that we have made for ourselves.

Here’s what to look out for:

Symptoms of imposter syndrome

• Mistake Anxiety: Overwhelming fear of fear or making even a small error
• Perfectionism: A compulsion to reach an impossibly high standard of work
• Burnout: A constant physical and emotional exhaustion
• Comparison: Believing that your skills and achievements are less than those around you
• Scarcity Mindset: Feeling that if you lose this opportunity, you will never find another

Why writers get imposter syndrome (all the time)

Imposter syndrome in writers is SO COMMON. Not only are we creatives and therefore probably more sensitive than some others, but our work is literally made to be judged by others. Writing is subjective. That means what one person loves, another will hate – it’s impossible to reach universal perfection.

Writing is also an act of self-expression. Our words are an interpretation of experiences or information and if you receive negative feedback – it’s going to feel personal.

Working as a freelance writer also means that my work isn’t stable. Some months I have a constant stream of projects, others I’m twiddling my thumbs unsure where my next paycheck is coming from. I have become familiar with rejection as a writer, but in the early stages of my career, it really made me question if I was even capable of becoming a full-time writer.

Here’s the truth: writers need a thick skin. We ALL feel imposter syndrome at various points in our writing career, it’s unfortunately inevitable. But you cannot give in to those irrational voices of self-doubt. You have worked at your craft and hustled to get where you are.

You deserve every opportunity you have, and there are countless still to come.

How to beat imposter syndrome as a writer

Just because you know imposter syndrome is normal, doesn’t mean it’s easy to deal with. As a writing coach, I work with clients facing imposter syndrome on a regular basis. Here are the steps I coach them through to resurface on the other side…

Step 1: Look at the Facts

When dealing with the irrational mind, the best way to fight it is with the rational. Take out subjectivity and write a list of your qualifications, experience, and accomplishments. Ask yourself why you have this opportunity and write down as many answers as possible.

People don’t hire writers for no reason.

Step 2: Focus on Your Strengths

List three things that you KNOW you’re good at. Be specific and give yourself permission to show off. Lean into the areas you’re most confident in and particularly consider what makes you different from the writers around you.

Being unique is a gift in this industry. You have a perspective or style that no one else can emulate – that’s something worth sharing with the world.

Step 3: Identify Your Weaknesses

Ever heard the phrase keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Don’t ignore your weaknesses out of fear that they define you – they don’t! By embracing these things, you can start to improve them and become an all-around stronger writer.

We should all be trying to be constantly getting better at our craft, so why not start by bringing up your weaknesses?

Step 4: Define Your Own Value

This point is crucial: you are not defined by your writing. Or how many pieces you have published. Or what the reviews or feedback say. You are defined by so much more than your work, and the best part? You get to decide what defines you.

What are the things you love about yourself? It might be your personality, your hobbies, or your role as a friend or family member. Your value is an accumulation of ALL of these things and I guarantee you’re a person of extreme and infinite value.

Step 5: Set Goals for the Future

Imposter syndrome thrives in fear. It makes us believe that if we make a single mistake, those around us will realise we shouldn’t be there and we will be cast out without another opportunity.

This is not the truth!

Instead of hiding in fear of the future, you deserve to embrace it. Plan for what you want to do next and lean into an abundance and growth mindset. Intentionally create short, medium, and long-term goals by considering what you could do without limitation.

With hard work and commitment, there is no reason you cannot achieve all your writing dreams. The only thing standing in your way is yourself.

Imposter syndrome coaching

It is absolutely possible to overcome imposter syndrome on your own, especially using the advice in the steps above. However, there is no shame in also asking for help. Writing coaching can be a great resource to support you through the process of imposter syndrome by directly tackling self-doubt, writer’s block, and compulsive comparison.

As a writing coach, I will act as your accountability partner and editor, offering an external reminder of your achievements and skills. The journey to identifying our own strengths can be long, so having a coach remind you of subjective truths can hugely benefit your fight against imposter syndrome.

To learn more, book a free consultation or get in touch.

Can you really overcome imposter syndrome?

Without a doubt. Imposter syndrome is a state of mind, it isn’t a reality. At the end of the day, overcoming imposter syndrome is only possible when you start to believe that you deserve to be in the role or situation you have created for yourself.

You didn’t get this opportunity by accident. Remember that your energy is better spent investing in the future, than worrying about the now.

I still occasionally experience moments of imposter syndrome, but I don’t push them away. Instead, I try and sit with the negative thoughts and work through them one by one to rationalise the irrational. What I’ve learnt is that self-doubt is usually triggered by something completely unrelated to my work or writing. To fight this, I remind myself of all the amazing things I’ve done, am doing, and will do in the future.