Take the Initial Leap

The first move you make in your writing journey often requires a courageous leap of faith. A crucial aspect of this is to steer clear of what I call "rearview mirror syndrome." This term, inspired by Hal Elrod's "The Miracle Morning," refers to the tendency to limit your potential based on past successes or failures. For instance, you might think you can't establish a daily writing habit due to previous unsuccessful attempts.

You must choose to believe that you can accomplish something new. Taking that initial leap can demonstrate to yourself that you are capable of achieving what you once thought impossible. From there, it becomes progressively easier to trust in your abilities.

Start with Small Goals

Building confidence starts with small achievements. It’s daunting to believe you can complete a novel if you’ve never finished any writing project before. When I began my writing journey, I was fixated on writing a novel and disregarded short stories. Eventually, I decided to write one to enhance my writing credentials.

What I failed to realize was that completing a short story provided the confidence boost I needed to return to my novel. For the first time, I had finished something! Moreover, it was good enough to be published!

Acknowledge Your Capabilities

Once you take that first small step, you don’t just rely on faith; you have proof! Whenever you consider tackling something new or intimidating, remind yourself of all the recent accomplishments that once seemed daunting. If you managed to do those, what’s stopping you from trying again?

Keep a record of your achievements to revisit when self-doubt creeps in. I maintain a journal dedicated to my writing milestones. Document every accomplishment, no matter how minor. Additionally, I have a folder on my phone filled with uplifting feedback that I can revisit whenever I need a confidence boost.

Build on Your Achievements

Utilize each success as motivation for your next endeavor. If you can complete a short story, why not aim for a novel? If you submitted a story to a journal, there's no reason not to enter a contest. If you've published a piece, perhaps it's time to start a blog or write on Medium.

Often, fear of the unknown prevents us from trying new things. After accomplishing something once, the process becomes easier to repeat. Typically, once you submit one story, you may find yourself submitting multiple pieces quickly. When faced with new challenges, relate them to past experiences to lessen the fear.

Keep Moving Forward

Maintaining momentum is crucial. You want to avoid giving yourself time to second-guess. Whenever I face a rejection, I immediately submit another piece elsewhere or work on a new story. This approach prevents dwelling on setbacks, allowing you to maintain hope. Celebrate your submissions! Remember, rejection isn’t the end; it’s a learning opportunity. Revisit your accomplishments and keep pushing forward! Don’t let fear of failure hinder your progress; view it as a lesson to grow from.

What Are Your Thoughts?

How do you boost your writing confidence? Do you have any strategies to share? If you found this guide useful, we would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Thank you for reading!

Learn to Write with Confidence: Discover strategies to enhance your writing skills and gain self-assurance in your writing journey.

How to Build Confidence as a Writer: Explore methods to cultivate confidence and overcome self-doubt in your writing endeavors.