Have Confidence in Your Ability to be Amazing

Feb 2, 2012

I think it's somehow a curse of creative people that we tend to be a bit insecure. Maybe it's part of the creative nature; maybe it's due to the fact that we submit ourselves to constant criticism in the name of improving our craft.

We've probably all experienced those moments when you look at something you've written and thought, "This sucks. I suck. My writing will never go anywhere." While I do think it's important to be aware of our weaknesses so we can improve, that kind of thinking never did anyone any good.

In moments like those-- and in our writing in general-- we need more confidence. We need a firm trust in ourselves and our abilities, a belief that we can actually achieve what we're working for. It can be hard to dig up that confidence, especially when we see our weaknesses and constantly have them pointed out to us. How can we believe in ourselves if we still have so far to go?

We can believe in our ability to improve.
We can believe in our strength to deal with criticism and apply it to our work.
We can believe that, even with mistakes, the fact that we have written anything at all is a triumph.
We can believe that our hard work will pay off-- and is paying off even now.
We can believe in the validations of our work, in addition to the criticisms.
We can believe that our accomplishments, no matter how small, are worthwhile.

So, my friends, have confidence in yourselves as writers. Allow yourself to look back on all the good things you've done and find value in them. We're all works-in-progress, but that doesn't mean we can't acknowledge all we've achieved so far. Go forth and believe in your ability to be amazing.

26 comments:

Tara Martin said...

There's a quote by Bertrand Russell I really like:

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts."

It's very true!

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Very good post! Yay for confidence, because without it we won't finish our work. Onward and upward!

Joe Vasicek said...

Very good point. It makes me think of this TED talk from the author of Eat, Pray, Love.

Elizabeth Gilbert A new way to think about creativity

Jennifer Hoffine said...

Great pep talk! We all need a boost from time to time. The worst is when our doubts keep us from moving forward.

Leigh Covington said...

This is awesome Shallee. Something everyone needs to read. I've read a lot of posts lately where people are getting low - and wondering if they can really do it. It's good to have a pick-me-up reminder that we can! Thanks!

Ruth Josse said...

Yeah, I needed to hear this. I wrote a depressing post yesterday because of dipping self-confidence. But I'm on the upswing now. I'm going to be amazing today! :)

Gwen Gardner said...

Shallee, I have this same picture on my site! The caption says, "what matters most is how you see yourself" - I love it! And thanks for the confidence boost. I just joined the Insecure Writer's Support Group - should be fun:)

Adrienne said...

A great reminder. When I catch myself thinking, "This sucks," I follow it by asking, "How can I improve it?" This usually helps, and if not, I come back to it later and try again.

The Writing Hour. said...

So true! I think everyone feels that their work isn't good enough sometimes, but practice makes perfect! Writing and finishing work at all is already a huge accomplishment.

David P. King said...

You've really come back in full force. This is great. Love this post. Totally made the insecure side of me hide in the corner. Thanks for the pick-me-up! :)

Jolene Perry said...

I think because creativity is SO PERSONAL - that's the part that makes me love a projects one moment, and think it's crap the next.

Iain said...

This is just what I needed today. thanks :o)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

What a wonderfully encouraging post! Thanks for this. It's good timing for me too.

Janet Johnson said...

Loved this! There are so many things we can be confident in. We just have to notice them! :)

DL Hammons said...

I believe...in you...and me! :)

Krispy said...

*Heart* this post! It's so easy to get stuck in a negative feedback loop, and it's just as important to acknowledge the good as it is to recognize the bad in us.

Chantele Sedgwick said...

You always have the most amazing awesome posts. Thanks for sharing Shallee. ;)

Meredith said...

Thank you so much! I needed this. :) And it's so true!

Rachna Chhabria said...

I love the picture and the post Shallee. I needed to read this today of all the days. Thanks and hugs.

Nick Wilford said...

Lovely inspiring post. And I think we need to remember that the only way to get better in our work is to make those mistakes. Embrace and learn from them!

I've given you the Versatile and Kreativ Blogger awards - pick them up at my blog!

Anonymous said...

Hear, hear. We insecure writers have to support each other. And, of course, Ninja writers always have each other's backs.

I'm brand new to the Dojo, nice to meet you!

Michelle said...

I always have to ask myself, "Which am I more afraid of--failure or success?"

Unknown said...

Thank you for this wonderful post! I think every now and then everyone needs some kind of encouragement to keep going with confidence.

Akoss said...

Thank you Shallee.
This writer here had been feeling insecure for quite a while now. (must remedy that)

Sarah Allen said...

Man I needed this today. I'm in the middle of not knowing what to do about lots of things, and writing is going to come with me wherever I go, but it's sometimes good to be reminded that that's enough.

Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)

Angie said...

That's very true. I often remind myself of the good things people have said about my writing whenever I get feeling down about it.

 
Shallee McArthur © 2013 | Designed by Bubble Shooter, in collaboration with Reseller Hosting , Forum Jual Beli and Business Solutions