The Imposter Syndrome Demon And How To Conquer It!

For those struggling with writing confidence

I am a terrible writer! I can’t write, and nobody wants to read my words. Soon someone will expose me for being a fraud! I don’t know what I am talking about, people will get angry at me for being a fake, and on and on that little voice goes.

Whispering as I go to sleep “Give up, you can’t do it”

Do you know that voice? That’s the imposter syndrome demon laughing at your efforts to be somebody. It’s not really a demon. Well, perhaps a demon created by society and life experience.

We Are Not Good Enough

All of our lives many of us have been told that writers, actors, musicians, athletes, and other achievers are special.

The successful and the famous are in some way above us, they have natural talent, are born intelligent, were given a better education, were born into it, and their parents started them off young!

You can’t be like them!

Nonsense!

Artists learn to paint and hone their craft over the years, they discover new techniques and find better ways to express themselves.

Musicians learn how to play musical instruments, constantly practicing, and repeating the same exercise again and again until it’s perfect.

Athletes train daily, control their diet, practice for long hours, and push themselves through pain, injuries, and other setbacks.

What do all these successful people have in common? They didn’t give up and didn’t listen to that voice telling them they would fail. Some are even driven by that voice! The more the voice says “You will fail” the more the person shouts back

NO, I WILL NOT!

Making them work even harder to prove the voice wrong.

It’s luck!

You need to be lucky to get ahead. I’ve heard this so many times! Hard work, dedication, practice, and educating yourself have nothing to do with it! It’s pure luck.

Pro Tip: The harder you work the luckier you become.

The rich or the famous are lucky, nothing more, nothing less

This is another side of the Demon called Imposter Syndrome! And the idea that it’s all about luck rather than hard work usually came from other people that your subconscious listened to.

It takes work to be rich and famous!

Sure some didn’t work for those who were born into either a rich family or whose families were already famous but many people worked to get there, especially those in the arts!

Writing Is Different

We are writers. That’s the most important thing to remember. ANYONE can be a writer! Anyone can become successful with work and dedication!

There’s no right way and wrong way to be a writer! There’s my way and your way, his way, her way, their way, and so on. But no actual wrong way.

And the advantages you think that others have over you are in most cases not there. Just because your father or mother were successful writers doesn’t mean you will be one!

Slaying The Demon

I like to keep one thing in mind when imposter syndrome bites at my soul.

Others have done it!

Here on Medium, writers have built loyal followings and their brands by consistently publishing blogs, engaging with readers, and never letting that pesky imposter syndrome dry their pens. Some now earn a living as full-time writers.

How amazing is that?

If you are struggling with Imposter Syndrome as I have in the past, don’t be afraid to reach out to others. Write a post on slaying the beast!

Thanks for reading.

As usual, give me a clap, follow and comment!

Paul.