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Nancy Hall's avatar

I understand completely! What we are told is usually the other person’s reality, not yours. Also, there are people that tell you not to put yourself forward, but let others shine. Great articles. Thanks for letting us know we are not alone.

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Tracey S. Phillips's avatar

Thank you Nancy. It helps me to know that so many great writers have self doubting moments too. It helps me move through it and I'm glad this helps you.

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Carl Vonderau's avatar

A nice and honest piece, Tracey. You're not afraid to be vulnerable. I don't know your work, but what I've noticed about you is you have great tenacity and self-discipline. Those are what make a creative person successful.

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Tracey S. Phillips's avatar

Thank you so much, Carl.

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John DeDakis's avatar

Tracey........For years, people have told me about their imposter syndrome, but I've never understood its depths, origins, attributes, and how to beat it until now. Thank you for being so vulnerable, explicit, and constructive. Here's hoping this piece will help many.

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Tracey S. Phillips's avatar

Aww, Thanks you so much, John.

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Luella Schmidt's avatar

I love this Tracey. I wrote about my own issues with imposter syndrome a while back. It's such an easy trap to fall into. I've been working hard with the voice in my head to turn it into a cheerleader instead of the insecure victim it seems to lean toward sometimes. Some days I totally feel like I've slayed the dragon once and for all. Some days, not even close. But I keep on trying baby! A small physical thing to try with this is to high five yourself in the mirror each morning, hahaha, sounds silly, but there's something about it that reminds us to be our own best friend and guide. Thanks for this post.

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Tracey S. Phillips's avatar

Thanks Luella, That's great advice!

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Sherrill Joseph's avatar

I can relate to this so much. Thanks for sharing your issues and solutions. Society plays against us by saying to act humble. We can get to the point where we can't discern when it's okay to take a bow and enjoy it. So, after working hard, we've earned the right to pat ourselves on the back and say, "I deserved that (insert award or recognition)!"

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Tracey S. Phillips's avatar

Thank you, Sherrill! You're right, Society does play a role. But it's important to know it's okay to be proud of yourself.

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Valerie Biel's avatar

Yes!! Great advice on Imposter Syndrome. Every creator out there needs to read this post! It's hard not to look around at so many successful authors with scads of books out and compare! I love the idea of keeping a proof folder for those low times when we're thinking we're not good enough. It's crazy -- I mean we KNOW we know how to write a good book, we know people have said they love them -- and I LOVE YOUR WRITING (by the way), but sometimes there's this cognitive / emotional disconnect that knocks us off our game.

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Tracey S. Phillips's avatar

So true, Valerie. Especially for those in the query trenches where rejections are more common that praise. Thanks so much for reading!

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