How to Overcome Self-Doubt When Writing a Book
This post is a bit different; I’m sharing more about my writing process and the steps I took to overcome self-doubt.
For this blog post in video form, please head to my YouTube channel or check the bottom of this post.
Writing my first book, and now my second, has been one of the most vulnerable and scary things I’ve ever done.
Not only is the writing process overwhelming (and also a great organizing challenge), but I’ve had to learn how to overcome self-doubt and feelings that what I’m sharing isn’t worthwhile.
Today’s post is a bit different; I’m sharing more about my writing process and the steps I took to overcome self-doubt and get two book deals.
Whether you’re in the process of writing a book or have always dreamed about writing one, this video will help you overcome your fears and step into the role of an author.
First, I’m going to share a bit more about my own journey into writing books.
If you write, you’re a writer
Part of the self-doubt that came up when I decided I wanted to write a book was the thought, “I’m not a writer.” To give you a little more background, spelling has never been my strong suit. Let’s be honest, I’m always making spelling mistakes and can have a tough time getting my thoughts down on paper. Once I reframed this thought to “I am a writer,” I started feeling more confident in myself and what I wanted to share.
Know that you’re the expert
Once I realized that very few people are as passionate about organizing as I am, I knew I had something worthwhile to share. It seemed like there was a niche I needed to fill, and I slowly started trusting that I had the expertise to write a book about it.
Know that you are writing your book because you are an expert. No matter what topic interests you, you have the skills, talent and resources you need to get it out into the world.
You’re not writing a book for you, but for others
I believe we are all here to help others, and that’s what my books do. I write about organizing because I know firsthand how organizing can help people live better with less stress. Once I took myself out of the equation, and instead thought of who I was writing for, my self-doubt seemed to matter less and I become more focussed on the task at hand.
I hope these tips helped you feel more confident in your writing. I know how tough it can be to get out of self-doubt and negative thinking, but if you’ve read this to the end, I know how committed you are to getting your thoughts out into the world and stepping into your power.
Next week, I will be giving tips on how to get approached by a publisher.
