Before You Give Up on Your Book, Try These Confidence-Boosting Habits

Confidence is a muscle

Every time I’ve sat down to work on my new project, I’ve heard that voice in the back of my head: Who am I to be doing this?

Any time I think about the final product, I think, Why did I ever believe I could pull this off?

Even as a published author, I struggle with doubt—because confidence isn’t a permanent state. But in the words of the prolific Stephen King,“Stopping a piece of work just because it’s hard, either emotionally or imaginatively, is a bad idea.”

What I am is determined, so I have to find a way to bypass self-doubt if I’m going to proceed.

If you’re struggling with lack of confidence to write your book, it’s normal, even when you’re published. It doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for it. If you have a strong desire to write a book, instead of letting lack of confidence stop you, there are ways you can push through.

Say out loud what you fear you lack

Write it down: I’ve never done anything of this length and scale. Once you’ve written it down, ask yourself: Is this absolutely true? What would I tell a friend who said this about themselves? Seeing your writing blocks on paper, rather than having them float around in your head, diminishes them and leads you to find solutions.

Remember confidence is about consistency

You build confidence through steady, consistent action. By showing up consistently you soften the sting of your mental blocks. Writing habitually gives you the tools to override fear and doubt. Think of how a musician or athlete improves—not by waiting to feel ready, but by practicing daily. Writing is no different.

Look at your progress

Focus on all your achievements. What are some of the hardest things you’ve done in your life? They don’t have to be writing related. Did you know you could achieve them before you tried? You may not have the writing experience for your project, but you can draw confidence from your other accomplishments.

Break it down

Deconstruct the task. Books are written gradually, so focus on one element at a time – the outline, the structure, the voice, a chapter, a paragraph.

Self-doubt doesn’t mean you’re not cut out to write a book—it means you know what you want to achieve. The best way to silence that voice is to keep writing.

Keeping an open heart and a generous spirit invites the surrender and faith you need to forge ahead.

Before you give up because you think you’re not capable, how about challenging yourself to prove it first.

I’d love to know – what is one way you build your confidence?