4 Beliefs That Quietly Hold Writers Back

As writers, we know how important inspiration can be. It's electric. When the words pour out, we've hit the sweet spot and we feel unstoppable.

We also, unfortunately, know how it feels for the opposite to be true. We hesitate. Experience self doubt. Feel paralyzed. Most of all, we often have to battle ourselves, especially when those negative voices threaten to rush to the top of our minds.

This is what holds us back. In fact, we have four main beliefs that seem to prevent us from living up to our full potential. Here's a look at what they are, as well as what to do about them.

Belief #1 - I'm not ready to take my writing seriously yet.

So many writers postpone their own growth by not taking their writers seriously. It may feel as if waiting also honors our art.

We tell ourselves that we will take our writing seriously once we can spend more time on it, once we get better, as soon as the bills or paid, or in general, whenever we feel ready.

The reality? We'll never feel ready. So, just start, and as soon as you do, that is when we can take our writing seriously.

Belief #2 - Real writers don't struggle like this.

That's absolutely not true. Real writers struggle, in fact the struggles can be part of the process. Some inspiring quotes from some masters that prove that writers often do struggle.

• “The scariest moment is always just before you start.” — Stephen King
• “If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.” — Margaret Atwood
• “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” — Ernest Hemingway
• “A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” — Thomas Mann

All writers struggle, it's just a part of the process.

Belief #3 - I can't share my writing until it's perfect.

Stop. Your writing will never be perfect. There's always going to be something you could do to it that will make it better.

It isn't worth it.

If you wrote it, share it. Someone needs to hear it! Our writing will never feel perfect, but it could touch someone's life. If you refuse to share it, you'll miss out on the joy of someone resonating with your words.

Belief #4 - I'll never be good enough to make it.

Our main, sabotaging thought is that we may believe we'll never be good enough tom make it.

However, the goal here isn't to feel like we are "enough" or "worthwhile". This isn't true, and believing this to be the truth is pretty destructive.

The truth is that good writing grows through practice. Every piece we write makes us better. Every draft teaches us something. The only thing that will make us not good enough is if we quit before we really good going.

These are just some of the negagtive beliefs that creep up now and then, as well as how to beat them. Of course, I've had a lot more than I've listed here, but they're all similar. They're all saboteurs.

Each thought can be addressed and handled on its own. It's also important to understand that these thoughts aren't permandent. We can replace them with better thoughts:

• I am a writer because I write.
• My words have value and meaning and they deserve to be shared.
• I trust my unique voice.
• Consistency, not perfection, is what makes me a successful writer.

It feels good to repeat affirmations like this, and it helps squash any of the negative beliefs that creep in. We are writers simply because we write.

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