Category Archives: Self-Doubt

So You Want to Write a Book?

Posted on by under Author Tips, Self-Doubt, Writers Block, Writing Tips

So do millions of people around the world. In fact, according to various studies, more than 80% of Americans want to write a book. That equates to more than 200 MILLION people with goals, dreams, and aspirations of sharing what they believe to be a story, wisdom, or insights interesting enough to endure the pain of writing and publishing a book.

When it comes to dreams—whether yours is to become an author, or wealthy, or debt free, or whatever — intentions are great. The problem is most people don’t know where to start and give up before they are halfway there. Wherever there is. That doesn’t have to be your story.

The stats don’t lie. Of the 80% who say they want to write, only 6 % make it to the halfway point, before giving up, and only 1% actually follow through with all the steps to make their dreams of becoming an author come true.

Why?

There are many reasons. The most common reasons are excuses such as imposter syndrome, writer’s block, doubt, procrastination, or fear of rejection. Ask any writer and they will tell you these are not only normal but quite common. They slowly eat away at our confidence causing us to become immobilized by fear like a bike with a rusty chain.

Doubt isn’t the problem, really. How we react to the inevitable feelings of fear we all face is. All of us second guess our abilities in certain areas especially writers and other artists.

Most artists are introverts or extroverted introverts. We spend more time in our minds thinking about what we want to do and reasons why we can or can’t do something, rather creating a plan to make our dreams become a reality.

There is a solution. And you already have it. You just need a little encouragement and coaching to help you get started and create a plan to write AND PUBLISH your book.

I can help. I know what all that feels like.

I just went through the rollercoaster of fear and doubt to complete my second book, Ten Seconds of Boldness: The Essential Guide to Solving Problems and Building Self Confidence which was released on August 1st. It includes a five-step method to help authors as well as anyone with dreams and aspirations, actually start and complete whatever it is they want.

Think of it as WD-40 for your rusty chains of fear.

It is a time-tested system that I have used and will continue to use for the rest of my life because it works. It addresses the underlying problems of our all-too-often fucked up belief systems which are in desperate need of a reboot. If you are serious about becoming part of the 1% who actually write and publish a book, I encourage you to read Ten Seconds of Boldness, available at bookstores everywhere.

Side note: at some point in the near future, I will create and teach a short primer on the five steps and how you can implement them to fulfill your dream of publishing a book. Sign up for my newsletter here: shawnlangwell.com

For what it’s worth, any feelings of doubt, or insecurity you have about your ability to finish what you started (if you have actually started writing), are 100% normal. Self-doubt is part of the process of personal growth and development, especially for creative people like us.

The interesting thing is that even though I compiled tons of practical suggestions and tips for accomplishing goals in my latest book, a week later, I still have trouble staying focused and deciding what the heck I am going to do next. I know that doesn’t sound like a healthy endorsement for a solution. But it is. You see, just because we learn something new doesn’t make the problems go away instantly. Anything new takes practice; spaced repetition over time, commitment, drive, and willingness to fail. I am no different than you in that regard. But because I spent so much time writing about this stuff it’s a bit fresher on my mind so I know when I’m slacking.

The book has become my own accountability tool and when the critics in my head start barking, I find myself having to follow my own advice.

The point is, that you can write and publish a book and I can help get you over the hump. I’ve already done it twice and will write many more in my lifetime. So can you, if you are willing to ask for a little help and learn a few tips.

Learn more at shawnlangwell.com. Look me up wherever you buy books. If you are serious about wanting to become a published author, do yourself a favor and invest a few bucks and time to read and apply the principles in Ten Seconds of Boldness. It may literally change your life.

If you like this blog, please follow me. Join my growing tribe of dreamers who want to make a difference in the world by sharing their wisdom and experience. The world needs to hear your stories.

I have only begun to scratch the surface of sharing valuable tips to help others become brave and more confident.

Photo by Evi T. on Unsplash

Denial is Not a Solution

Posted on by under Belief, Belief System, Confidence, Courage, Good enough, Imposter Syndrome, Inadequacy, Inspiration, motivation, Problem Solving, Procrastination, Self-Awareness, self-confdence, Self-Confidence, Self-Doubt, Writers Block

“To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.”- Socrates

At this time last year, I wrote about my own shortcomings and how excited I was to finally see the light at the end of a long dark tunnel regarding how long it took to write my next book. I talked about lessons and personal struggles—trying to write a book about confidence while in the midst of one of the biggest slumps in my sales career.

I spoke of promise and hope that my book would be done by the end of 2021. Well, guess what? I’m still not done. But I am many steps closer.

Why do I write this, now? Why am ratting myself out? Because I don’t know of any writer, salesperson, or anyone for that matter, who never struggles with motivation, confidence, with procrastination.

As a writer, speaker, and salesperson I get to face my feelings of inadequacy and insecurity on a daily basis, constantly wondering is this “good enough?” or “am I good enough?”

I know I am not alone.

So, what do I do to overcome that faulty belief system in my head?

I “feel the fear and do it anyway.” I practice Ten Seconds of Boldness.

I show up. I put my butt in a chair and write. I do a little bit every day. I don’t dwell in a carnival house of mirrors where my self-image is distorted and warped. Where the mirrors have names like, worry, doubt, fear, insecurity, and my least favorite, the dreaded “imposter.”

In some small way creating the habit to write on a regular basis alleviates the noise in my head. But like the shadow monster in our closet as kids, these insidious beliefs about my value and worth continue to sneak around, especially in the dark. Probably always will. When I feel them lurking, I flip on the lights and see that they were only shadows. Figments of my imagination and faulty belief system.

Sure, it takes more than flipping on the lights to overcome many of our persistent negative habits and feelings that block us from doing our best. Denial is not a solution. That’s why I chose the quote by Socrates. Our progress is predicated on knowing ourselves and being brave enough to walk across the room and flip on the lights when we think there are monsters sneaking about.

But for now, recognizing and admitting the problem exists—monsters are real when we believe them to be— is the first step toward healing. The first step toward becoming a better, more confident writer.

Like anything in life, things get easier with practice. And our confidence grows when we find the courage to feel what we feel and press on anyway.

Now back to finishing my book, even though I don’t want to write right now.

Here’s to you and your success.

If you want to be one of the first to read my next book, “Ten Seconds of Boldness: The Essential Guide to Solving Problems and Building Self-Confidence.” Sign up here.

I will be giving away some planning tools and one signed copy when it’s published.

Find me at: https://shawnlangwell.com/