Writing Tips on How To Conquer Self Doubt: Writing, Self Doubt and Ego Centrism

Are you experiencing self-doubt in relation to your writing? Every writer has to contend with varying degrees of self-doubt, at one time or another. How to conquer self-doubt presents an ongoing challenge that even the best of writers must learn to contend with, in order to succeed.

What is self-doubt?

Self-doubt is insecurity that relates to ego-centrism or one’s view of the self. 

The freedictionary.com suggests that ego-centrism is “holding the view that the ego is the center, object and norm of all experience.”

Self-doubt can be a frightening experience for any writer who sees him or herself as the center, object or norm of all experience. With respect to writing, this perspective is unrealistic; it is rooted in fear.   

Consider the following writing tips regarding how to conquer your self-doubt.

Focus on your writing career rather than on your insecurities, or fears like self-doubt.

Remember that whatever you choose to magnify in your writing life will gradually become larger and larger. Do you really want to magnify your self-doubt to an extent that it will become overwhelming or overpowering?  Be aware that doing so may affect your ability to write.    

Continually develop your writing skills.

As you increase your skills, you will simultaneously expand your writing horizon and increase your ability to write well, which in turn will help to lessen any fears you have related to self-doubt. Expand your worldview continually too, because in doing so you will focus less on your self or ego.

Try to write every day.

Write daily because the more you write, the easier writing will be for you. Thoughts, ideas and words will flow more freely, rather than as fragmented or broken sentences. Save what you write so that you can expand upon it later.  

Write articles for others on the topic of self-doubt.

Doing appropriate research will make you more aware that whatever affects you, affects other writers also. When you do a re-assessment of your self-doubt later, you will see it in a different light. Stay positive and constructive with respect to what and how you write, knowing that by writing you are setting an example for others. When you help others, you help yourself too.

Accept criticism with the right attitude.

Regardless of what you write, others may attempt to dispute or refute it. This can offend you personally, hurt your feelings and affect your writing ability adversely, as well as increase your self-doubt. Deal with criticism realistically knowing that you can benefit from every literary criticism in one way or another, even if only means that you are stronger for it. 

Become a proactive writer who networks with other writers and offer encouragement to them, particularly writers who may be experiencing self-doubt. Keep the doors of communication open at all times. In doing so, you will succeed in overcoming self-doubt as a writer and enhance your writing experience, as well as that of others.