The Support Factor

NB. this post was originally published on my old blog, but I have updated it as part of my website redesign.

I want to ask you a personal question. No, it’s not about your sex life. Or how much you earn. I want to ask you something even more personal than that.

Have you told yourself that you’re not good enough today? Have you told yourself that you’re a failure? Have you decided not to do something because you’re scared?

If you have, you’re not alone. I've done it as well.

I once thought about not taking a job because I was worried I wasn’t good enough to do it... after I’d been offered the job.

Even after writing more than twenty books, I still sometimes fear I'm not good enough to be an author. I question the things that I write, whether the ideas are unique enough, whether anyone will want to read my book, whether I’m going to be able to cope when I get a horrible 1-star review. I know now, with time and practise, that I am absolutely doing the right thing with my life and that I can cope with a harsh review or a rejection. But the only reason I have that understanding now is because I kept going.

In talking to other people, I've found this lack of confidence common in women, particularly for sensitive, creative types like writers. I see brilliant women cut themselves down, belittle their talents and generally talk to themselves the way that no one should ever talk to another human being, let alone themselves. Why?

Unfortunately I don’t know exactly why. All I can do is share how I’ve managed to get the confidence to continue writing, submitting, putting myself out there and generally doing other stuff that scares the shit out of me.

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This is a photo from my wedding – my sister (who hated public speaking at the time) gave an impromptu speech about our wonderful friendship and I grabbed her hand because I knew she was putting herself out on a limb for me. I’m so glad the photographer was there to capture this moment, as the photo was completely unplanned.

Want to know my secret? I’ve learned to ask for support.

I have people in my life who are supportive, who don’t think my dreams are crazy and who are willing not only to help, but are also happy to put up with me when I have a meltdown about the impossibility of it all. They’re a shoulder to cry on, they give me a kick up the butt when I need it (I can thank my husband for this one), they tell me the truth about my work, they clap their hands when I achieve and sometimes they just leave me the heck alone (also, a big thanks to my husband for this one.)

But I have had to ask for this support. People aren't mind-readers and they don't know what you need unless you tell them. This hasn't been easy. Asking for things makes me horribly uncomfortable because I question whether or not I deserve what I’m asking for. But if you've got the right support network around you, asking this question will often yield a positive result.

You can ask for help, you do deserve support and success, and most importantly yes, you are good enough.

Don’t hesitate to ask a friend to lend an ear, don’t think that you’re too early (or too late) in your journey to join a writer’s group/attend a conference/submit your work. Don’t let your fear stop you from working towards your dream. You can do it.

I know it’s hard to put yourself out there, it’s hard to believe you’ll get to where you want to be. But you can, and there are always people to help you no matter how alone you feel.