I recently read Sharon A. Davidson’s book, You Go Girl: Start. Build. Sell. In the book, Davidson describes a psychological pattern known as the Impostor Syndrome. A person with this syndrome is not convinced that they are competent enough and suffers from a lingering fear of being exposed as a fraud. Individuals suffering from this syndrome mostly attribute their success to luck and fail to acknowledge their competence.

As I read this book, I soon realized that every person, regardless of the level of success they have attained, suffers from moments of self-doubt. For some, it is an occasional fear while for others the fears continue to resurface time and time again and they simply do not know how to overcome it. The tips included in this article could work for any writer experiencing self-doubt, regardless of the point they are at in their career.

Know the source

One of the most important ways to conquer any type of fear is to establish its source. Are you afraid of success and the change it brings along? Are you afraid of embarrassment or losing time on a venture that may turn out not to have been worthwhile? The source of fear is different for every writer.

Come up with solutions for the worst case scenario

Depending on what you perceive as the worst case scenario, create a list of how you can mitigate the losses that come with this scenario. For instance, if you are afraid of success, learn how you can still maintain your current lifestyle and not give up too much for the sake of success. If you are afraid of embarrassment, read stories about many successful people who failed before succeeding. As you develop alternative thought patterns regarding fear, you gain courage in knowing that even when the worst happens, you will be okay.

Do not think too much about it

One way fear grows is through constant attention. When you continuously think of what could go wrong, the worst is more likely to happen. In tuning your mind to more optimistic thoughts and giving fear little room in your mind, you allow yourself to focus on success which builds your confidence. You do not have always to accept every thought that comes into your mind like yours. Learning to sift through different thoughts and knowing which ones to act on and which ones to ignore is crucial.

Have a positive mantra and read inspirational articles and books

Not everything out there is meant for you to absorb. There are many negative articles and news that could definitely fill anyone with panic and doubt. As human beings, we tend to have a higher affinity for bad news as opposed to good reports. Learning to be very specific and selective of who and what I listen to has helped me change my mentality on success as a writer. I have learned to pick and choose what will feed my life. This is not to mean that I only select what I agree with. I am also open to articles and books that challenge my way of thinking in a positive way that helps me grow.