When I first got my Insurance Assessing Certificate, I felt like I could get called out at any time for being a fraud. When I first started writing, I wondered if anyone would tell me that I couldn’t write stories. I felt like a fake, that I wasn’t actually capable of doing my job.
It’s called imposter syndrome, and surprisingly, a lot of people get it. And the best part – if you get it, chances are you are probably capable. It’s a feeling of inadequacy in your skills.
So, why do you get that feeling? Mostly, it’s because you feel insecure, either in yourself, your abilities or your environment. It is a form of anxiety that affects most of us at some stage in our life.
Funnily enough, I’m qualified in gardening and organic gardening, and yet don’t get imposter syndrome about my work. I think this is because I am confident in my abilities, I know what I am doing, and I know the environment that I’m working in.
And slowly, I’m feeling less like a fraud when I’m writing, because with each story I publish, the more I learn about my skills and craft.
And I’m about to embark on starting a new business doing something that I once had a lot of imposter syndrome around, proofreading. I studied it a few years ago, as an opportunity to read some great stories, but I was worried that people would think I wasn’t good enough. The fact is, I’m not perfect, and admitting this has really helped to realise that I can actually proofread and provide the feedback needed, so I’m starting up a side business to proofread, I’m still working out the nuts and bolts, but it will all come together. When, I don’t know, but hopefully soon.
