How to Get Rid of Imposter Syndrome & Validate Your Voice

Imposter syndrome means extinction for most modern authors. And it's a shame.

Steal my 3 steps to validate your voice

I'll be honest: I hate the term "imposter syndrome." It’s almost as if you're afflicted with a disease—shunned by society—destined to live out your days in a dark forest. It plagues so many authors.

These 3 steps are the cure:

  • Step 1: Identify Your "Who"
  • Step 2: Create a Pact
  • Step 3: Gather Feedback
Let's regain your self-confidence. I know it's in there...

Step 1: Identify Your "Who."

Engrain this in your mind: You're NOT writing for everyone. When you accept the fact that you can't please every person on the planet, imposter syndrome fades. Normalize selective sharing. You'll also need some accountability. There are 2 types: 1. Professional accountability 2. Peer accountability Professional, you pay for: - Someone from a publisher - A writing consultant - Editors A peer can be a friend.

Step 2: Create a Pact.

The reality is, most writers think in word count. Bad idea. Try thinking in terms of time. But beware of overestimation. Research shows that we often overestimate the amount of work we'll need to do. This overestimation problem manifests as a disappointment problem. Here's an example of a time pact: “I’ve got two hours blocked off to write this week. Can I send you something to read from that?” Here's what you just accomplished:
  • You've limited your feedback loop.
  • You've scoped your deliverable.
  • You've set aside some time.
This loose commitment (pact) will increase your chances of completion. Give it a shot.

Step 3: Gather Feedback.

Here's what you don't want: Accidentally make your imposter syndrome worse. Make sure to ask for feedback in the way you'd like to receive it. Here's how... You probably don't want them to bloody up your book with a rampant red pen.
  • Tell them not to change the text
  • Ask for 1 or 2 things they liked
  • And what you can improve
Then you can go ahead and make changes you think make sense. Bye-bye imposter syndrome!
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Depth Over Frequency for Growing Your Brand

If you're interested in growing your brand or amplifying your voice, here's what we found in the research.

Aim for depth over frequency.

For my latest book, I researched over 6,000 individuals named to the Forbes 30 under 30. I wanted to see what stood out about them. It wasn't the schools they attended, the graduate degrees they help, or the companies they worked at. It wasn't even the companies they started.
Over 85% of them had a "Creation Event" -- a substantial, public project that they used to demonstrate their expertise, credibility, curiosity, and competence.

Nearly all of them 'went deep' on something outside of their job or work.

We found 9 creation events among these individuals, including:
  • hosted an event series or conference
  • hosted a podcast
  • created a video series
  • organized a concert or exhibit
  • published original research
  • wrote a book
  If you're looking for a path to elevate your voice or enhance your personal or business brand, focus on depth over frequency. OR, start with depth, and then add frequency based on the depth. Invest in a Creation Event. The best investment is an investment in your own growth. What's the most impactful creation event in your career/life?
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