Imposter syndrome is the condition of feeling anxious and not experiencing success internally, despite being high-performing in external, objective ways.
We are our own worst enemy aren't we? How often are we feeling so good about something we are doing and then all of a sudden that evil little voice inside takes over and makes us feel less than.
I started writing my first novel at the beginning of the month. My goal is to write 50,000 words by July 31st. I got to 9,700 words and imposter syndrome completely took over. "Who do you think you are? You can't write a WHOLE novel." Tuesday, I got stuck on a scene and, being the queen of procrastination, I put the computer down and did everything else other than push through the blockage.
That night while in bed, my husband asleep next time, I woke up with the next scene playing in my head. I grabbed my phone off the bedside table, opened up my Notes app and wrote the scene down. Wednesday morning, I transferred the scene into my Word document and continued writing. I am now at over 12,000 words and should be feeling accomplished, right? Nope.
Self-doubt took over again and I put off writing all day yesterday. So here it is Friday and I know the next scene and just need to write it!!!! I reached out to my writing community and they were super supportive; 'Be kind to yourself' 'Look how much you've got done'. I did a podcast yesterday and even the host was encouraging me by reminding me how much time is still left in the month to get it all done.
Why are we our own worst enemy? Why is that little devil in the red suit, with the horns and pitchfork, standing on our shoulder whispering in our ears so effective?
Imposter
Fake, fraud
Who do you think you are?
Scared, restless, afraid
not good enough today
Keep your day job
there's no talent in you
think you've got something to share
Do you really think people will care?
Inner voice
torments each day
Forget the encouraging words
Friends may say
Get over yourself
stop the uncertainty
antonym for imposter
you are a natural
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