[Day 14] The Simplest Way To Overcome Imposter Syndrome

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Everyone struggles with Imposter Syndrome.

Personally, I have for years.

"I'm not good enough."

"What if they don't like my content."

"I must come up with something original."

Sound familiar?

The Imposter Syndrome devil on the shoulders of both new and experienced creators will speak at some point.

It screeches a wave of self-doubt that leads to demotivation and procrastination. And I'm sure you've gone through it.

Heck, I experience it multiple times weekly and it still affects me.

But I've stuck to a few strategies that helped me out of this rut each time and back on the right path.

What changed for me was incongruency. And as soon as that clicked, I started to understand that overcoming Imposter Syndrome wasn't that hard—I was just doing the wrong thing.

Here's what I should have done instead:

"Eat My Own Cooking"

What is the meaning of "Eat my own cooking"?

Eat what you cook (or eating what you cook, or eating your own cooking) is a metaphor for “use what you make”, encouraging creators to consume what they create, in particular on their personal website, and a more palatable replacement for the selfdogfood metaphor.

“Eat what you cook” means using your creations on your personal site as an aspect of your primary online identity, day to day.

That's what I read on the site named IndieWeb.

By realizing this, I come up with this ultimate solution:

Treat My Content as Journal Entries

"Document, don't create."

"Teach your past self."

That's why you see me posting my raw long and boring workout challenge video without heavy editing.

You may or may not have heard these before.

Either way, this is how you should be approaching content creation if you feel the onset of Imposter Syndrome.

Why?

Because there's no pressure to be right or perfect.

If someone finds value in it, great.

Else, that's fine as you're just publishing notes to yourself online.

So, this is my full essay about how I overcome imposter syndrome:

The Imposter Within Us All: How Journaling Your Way Can Silence the Doubts

Imposter Syndrome. It's a constant companion for many creators, myself very much included.

That nagging voice whispering, "I'm not good enough," "What if they hate it?" or "I need to be completely original." It doesn't matter if you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, that little devil on your shoulder can throw a bucket of self-doubt and send you spiraling into procrastination.

Let me tell you, I've battled this foe for years. Even now, I can experience it several times a week. It's a real struggle. But through trial and error, I've discovered a few key strategies that consistently pull me out of the rut and get me back on track. Here's the thing, though: it took a shift in perspective for me to make real progress.

The Wrong Turn: The Pressure of "Originality"

For a long time, I fell into the trap of chasing some mythical "originality." This created immense pressure to come up with groundbreaking, never-before-seen content. It was a recipe for creative paralysis!

The turning point came when I stumbled upon the concept of "incongruency." Simply put, it means doing the opposite of what feels "right" based on a flawed assumption. In my case, the assumption was: "Great content equals high production value, perfect execution, and absolute originality."

The A-HA Moment: "Eat Your Own Cooking"

Once I realized this, a lightbulb went off. The answer wasn't about chasing some elusive ideal; it was about a different approach altogether. Enter the IndieWeb principle of "Eat My Own Cooking" (a more palatable alternative to the slightly blunt "eat your own dog food").

Here's the gist: this principle encourages creators to consume their own content. Think about it – wouldn't it be more believable if you actually used the products or services you promote? In the context of content creation, it translates to using your creations on your personal platform, making them a part of your everyday online presence.

The Ultimate Solution: Treat Your Content Like a Journal

This led me to what I believe is the ultimate solution for battling Imposter Syndrome: journaling through content creation. Imagine reframing your creative process with two powerful mantras:

• "Document, don't create."
• "Teach your past self."

Think about it this way. When you keep a journal, you're not aiming for perfection or wide-reaching acclaim. You're capturing your experiences, thoughts, and growth for your own future reference. That's the energy you should bring to content creation when Imposter Syndrome whispers its negativity.

Why Does This Work?

There's a sense of liberation in this approach. You're freed from the pressure to be perfect or impress everyone. Instead, you can focus on the act of creation itself, the exploration, the learning journey. If your content resonates with someone and adds value to their life, that's fantastic! But if not, it's okay too. You're simply publishing your notes to the online world.

A Practical Example: My Raw Workout Challenge Videos

Take my long, unedited workout challenge videos as an example.

You might wonder why I'd put those out there raw and unpolished. This is exactly the "Eat My Own Cooking" and "Journaling Through Content" principle in action. These videos are a record of my own fitness journey, my struggles and triumphs.

Whether someone finds them inspirational, educational, or even boring doesn't change the value they hold for me. They're a testament to my commitment to self-improvement, something I can revisit and learn from in the future.

So Next Time Imposter Syndrome Strikes...

Remember, you're not alone. Virtually every creator battles this self-doubt. But instead of succumbing to the pressure of "originality," try approaching content creation with a journaling mindset. Let go of perfectionism, embrace the messy middle of the creative process, and focus on documenting your journey. This shift in perspective can significantly reduce the influence of Imposter Syndrome and keep you creating with confidence.

Here are some additional tips to support your journaling-through-content journey:

• Start small and be consistent. It's better to create short, regular pieces than to aim for one epic masterpiece that never sees the light of day.
• Choose a format that feels natural to you. Do you love writing? Photography? Video? Explore the medium that excites you most.
• Embrace imperfection. You're documenting your journey, not publishing a polished final product.
• Find your community. Surround yourself with other creators who understand your struggles and can offer encouragement and support.
• Celebrate the small wins. Every piece of content you create is a victory over Imposter Syndrome. Take a moment to be proud of yourself!
• Focus on the impact, not the numbers. Don't get caught up in follower counts and likes. Focus on the positive feedback you receive and the impact your content is having on others.

Remember, content creation is a journey, not a destination.

There will be days when inspiration flows effortlessly, and there will be days when you have to drag yourself to the starting line. Embrace the process, learn from your experiences, and keep showing up!

By adopting a journaling mindset and implementing these additional tips, you can transform Imposter Syndrome from a debilitating force into a gentle nudge that keeps you pushing your boundaries and exploring your creative potential.

Now it's your turn!

Share your experiences with Imposter Syndrome in the comments below.

What strategies have helped you overcome self-doubt and keep creating?

Let's build a supportive community where we can all learn and grow together!