"I have written eleven books,but each time I think,'Uh-Oh! they're going to find out now, I've run a game on everybody and they're going to find me out." 

 — Maya Angelou

Big Love Family

Let me ask you a question?

Have you ever found yourself doubting your capabilities after succeeding at something that you know you're exceptional at? I'm not talking about a debilitating fear of not being good enough, which has a name by the way - Atelphobia. That is cause to see a psychiatrist.

I mean those moments of self doubt, that come up especially at periods when you are most successful. There is this niggling feeling that others will discover that you have been bluffing your way to success and soon you'll be caught out. It's especially severe if you truly enjoy producing your art or doing your job.

A lot of this baggage come from the outdated puritanical views about the work ethic but boy did it affect my young mind in the pre-Amazon age. Back then the publishing houses were king and although they will tell you otherwise, they looked disdainfully on writers who insisted on writing about the black experience, so it was very difficult breaking through.

Self publishing then was looked on as the losers way of getting published and for me having a dream of being an author it was painful because I gave myself permission to think I wasn't good enough. I did eventually sign on with a traditional publisher but I remember the frustration in the years before and how I compared myself unfavourable to the 'successful' authors.

How did I overcome my imposter syndrome. Just do the damn thang, as my man Ice Cube recommends. I look at it like I'm building fortification around myself. The more I write, the more value I give to my readers, the more experience I gain, the better the results I obtain. And as a consequence of that the stronger is the structure of confidence around me. I'm thankful for every step forward and recognise my uniqueness. Don't get me wrong, I love you guys -  but my readership levels don't define my worth. My worth is defined by the value I give you. I am who I am and there is no one like me. So what I have to offer  is unique. And that goes for all of us. We have a contribution to make to the world only we can make it. Some will step up to the plate, most will not. 

Don't rob the world of your greatness, by sitting on the sidelines and comparing yourself to others.

Just do the damn thang!

Peace