Hillary rests her head in her hands, and sighs.
Whenever she reads the work of her favorite bloggers, she feels down.
Why can they write so well? Why does her own writing suck?
She starts reading her own draft blog post … It doesn’t sing. It isn’t clear. It feels unoriginal. Why?
Hillary wonders whether she lacks talent and whether she should quit blogging.
Sound familiar? Have you ever read other people’s work and felt a spark of envy?
I’ve been there, too …
The day I gave up
I recently joined an online PhotoShop course for illustrators.
But I quickly regretted my purchase.
I discovered the course was for “real” artists. And that’s not me, I thought. I was in awe of the work others had posted, and felt like an amateur.
What had I been thinking?!? Why did I join a course by a lecturer at Central Saint Martins?!?
So I gave up.
I didn’t read the course material. I didn’t try the assignments. I didn’t even start up PhotoShop (which I had never used before).
I told myself I was too tired, and I had more important things to get done.
The difference between modeling and comparing
When we harshly compare our work with others, we confirm the negative ideas we already have about ourselves. We fuel existing insecurities.
Often these insecurities are fed by comments from authority figures in the past. For instance, I struggle with the idea of being an artist. I was never good at creative work at school, and a more recent tutor made me feel that drawing with colored pencils is childish. Don’t real artists use watercolors, pastels, or acrylics? Or … PhotoShop?
When I compare my drawing skills with those of others, I only see what they can do and what I can’t. I ignore my strengths, and feel inadequate.
But that’s no way to improve my skills.
Instead of comparing my work harshly, I should model my work and evaluate what I can learn. What do I like about other people’s work? Is it the colors? The dynamic pen strokes? The idea?
Which techniques can I apply to my own work, too? What can I learn?
Modeling means reviewing how other people do their work, learn from their techniques and apply these to our own work. Modeling doesn’t come with any value judgments. We don’t think about whose work is better or who’s a better artist. We simply want to learn.
Comparing means evaluating our work against others, and judging what’s good and what’s bad. When we compare, we don’t look to learn, but to judge, to criticize. If we think our work is better, we big ourselves up and boost our self-esteem. If we think their work is better, we feed our own securities. We confirm our negative self-image. We think we lack talent.
But talent is overrated
In her book “Mindset. How You Can Fulfil Your Potential,” Carol Dweck describes two different mindsets.
People with a fixed mindset believe they’re born with certain talents. What they can and can’t do is already determined. Success for them is proving how gifted they are.
People with a growth mindset, however, believe skills can be cultivated, stretched, and improved through effort. They thrive on challenges and learn from their failures. Failure isn’t a sign that they lack talent, but an opportunity to learn more.
When people with a growth mindset study other people’s work, they do so to learn. They believe in their ability to grow. They believe hard work and deliberate practice are more important than relying on talent.
So, after two weeks of stagnation on my PhotoShop course, I gave myself a peptalk. I asked myself:
- Do I want to learn and get better? (yes)
- Do I believe I can improve? (yes, of course)
- Why am I so anxious? (not sure, it seems a little silly now)
- How about looking at the work posted and see what I can learn? (let’s try)
How to manage the scary gap
There’s a gap between work we admire and our own work. Ira Glass calls it the gap between our good taste (where we’d like to be) and our skills (where we are now).
And the only way to close this gap is to do a lot of work to get better. Write more. Draw more. Play more.
The gap can make us feel insecure, frustrated, and anxious. What if we can’t bridge the gap?
So when studying the work of our heroes, see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Don’t tell yourself you lack talent.
It’s okay to acknowledge that the work of our heroes is better, but it’s not okay to think we can’t learn and improve.
Be kind to yourself
You may think that to improve you have to beat yourself up. Mistakes are wrong, and imperfections are bad.
But how encouraging is that?
To learn we have to make mistakes. We write crappy drafts. We draw wonky lines. We sing out of tune.
When we evaluate our work with compassionate eyes, our learning experience turns into a magic, enlightening journey.
So, embrace the opportunity to learn. And you’ll be amazed how much you can improve and grow.
PS Thank you to Kathy Keats for inspiring this post.
Recommended reading on improving your writing skills (pain-free!):
The 4 principles of deliberate practice for writers
How to spot 8 common writing weaknesses (and fix them)
How to become a better writer
I wanna believe what your saying. I want to think I’m good. people have told me I was and I think I got a little cocky, but when I see others work it’s a cold splash of reality that hurts and simply brings me to a place of feelings like my work is trash compared. I feel like they are all so far away from me. it’s too much just to take pointers on.
One of the keys to learning (in life as well as writing) is to believe that we’re good enough already but also to acknowledge that we can improve. These two ideas may seem opposite to each other but it is possible to believe them both at the same time. It sounds like for a while you were able to believe that you were good enough already but forgot that all of us always have opportunity to learn. Now, it sounds like you’ve gone the other way, seeing only the need to improve. Try to find a balance. The two ideas may seem opposite but keeping them both in mind will make writing (and life) more joyful. There’s always room to learn.
Thank you so much Henneke.
It is said – the more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.
Your inspiring beautiful words of wisdom encourage us to apply the above saying more enthusiastically. This is real positivity.
Spa for the subconscious mind.
Thank you, Padmaa. I haven’t heard that saying before!
I love this post, Henneke! I’m 14 and I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but I have that habit of comparing myself with other writers (especially those around my age) and feeling bad about my own writing. I used this Writer’s doubt to procrastinate writing my third novel, but your post made me rethink that and want to start writing immediately.
Thank you so much for sharing this post!
Wow, you’re already writing your third novel? That’s impressive. You are a writer already!
Thank you so much! 😄
The writing is so encouraging, I feel I can write more .
That makes me happy. Thank you, Rose.
I really enjoyed this post. We should celebrate our progress more.
Agreed! A little victory dance for each achievement, no matter how tiny 🙂
Henneke,
I’m new, discovered you today, after searching on google for a link to ‘how to be a better writer’. I resonated with this post, it’s a mirror image of myself. I’m in Uni, struggling with my assignments, develop my writing style, get my ‘flow’ with my words. Your post helped ease my anxiety, so thank you.
Warmest regards
I used to hate writing at uni. Now, I wished that someone had explained the writing process to me and how to deal with doubts so I could have enjoyed it more. I was in my 40s before I got back into writing!
Maam you look and are very young, graceful and well maintained. I have seen you in Youtube also.
Thank you for your compliment, Padmaa. I probably need to update my pictures some time soon! 🙂
Well said. I come from a gifted family and while growing up I found it tough to just ordinary. Mom and my older sister were very creative artists. My dad worked in the aero space industry as a copywriter. I could draw but lacked passion. My writings were mood motivated until I discovered advertising. So at age thirty, I decided to go back to school. I found a program that I thought would be a perfect fit-Commercial Art/ Advertising. I learned a few new skills and polished some rusty ones. But the most important thing I learned in school was that I AM JUST AS GOOD AS EVERYONE ELSE WITH MY OWN UNIQUE STYLE.
Thank you for sharing your story, Kara. So powerful! I love your mantra: “I AM JUST AS GOOD AS EVERYONE ELSE WITH MY OWN UNIQUE STYLE.”
Great post, Henneke.
When you love something, it’s easy to spend time doing.
Listening to toxic “low-life” will always kill your dream.
These people almost never have anything positive to contribute.
Just do it! because you want to.
Always study to learn and then apply this in your practice.
The time you spend at your craft is what improves it.
Van Gogh died a poor ridiculed rat, having sold only 1 painting.
Today, He IS “painting”.
Sometimes, people CAN’T understand.
Don’t waste this time.
Spend it on your Craft.
Paul
So, true, Paul. Thank you for your pep talk 🙂
It’s hard to believe, isn’t it, that Van Gogh sold only 1 painting during his entire lifetime. I read about it before but it still feels crazy.
I think comparing to others is unwise and maybe even unfair. I might even think I write better than someone else. Those types of comparisons are, at the very least, futile. I know writers whose work I never want to emulate, but they make a lot of money writing poorly. So what?
When I compare, I want to compare to how I was last year or five years ago. Yes, I want to be better, but not better than you, or anyone else “out there”. Just better than I was, always better than I once was.
Very good subject and well-done!
I love how you put this, Katherine: “When I compare, I want to compare to how I was last year or five years ago. Yes, I want to be better, but not better than you, or anyone else “out there”. Just better than I was, always better than I once was.” This is so true!
Extremely helpful blog post. I can relate to this article. I am from India, and I did all my schooling in the Hindi language, but I always wanted to write in English.
I am writing on motivation niche for 4 months, and sometimes I feel inferior when I read other peoples’ blog. But this article boosted my self-confidence. Writing is an art and one needs to put hard work, dedication, and consistency to become a better writer, if not the best. I am a regular visitor of your blog, and I must say you are doing exceptionally good. Thanks for such a great post.
By the way, can I know what type of font-weight are you using for your blog? Reading experience is really good for your blog posts.
Thank you for your lovely compliment. I’ve been blogging for over 5 years now, so I’ve had a little more time to practice 🙂
The font on my blog is Georgia 20px. The line width also has an influence on readability and for desktop it’s 620px.
Comparing yourself to others is the worst thing one can do, should always be grateful & thankful for all you have.
Yep, that’s true. You’re absolutely right. It’s not always easy to follow that advice if you’ve been brought up to be competitive but I’m practicing gratitude and learning!
Love love love this soooo much! Thank you for writing this, Henneke 🙂
Thank you, Holly. I appreciate your comment. Happy writing! 🙂
One of the other things we tell new photographers: Stop comparing yourself to other photographers! You’re comparing your WORST pictures to their BEST pictures – the ones they show off, the ones they market with. It’s not an apples to apples comparison. Every photographer has taken a bad picture – but he’s NOT sharing it 🙂
Yes, I love that! Perhaps, we should all share more “bloopers?”
Thank you for sharing, Clare.
After making the rounds on Upwork and Problogger I remain in a tough spot. I’m looking to hire freelance writers but I’m having a difficult time finding ones who can:
1 – meet deadlines
2 – provide clean, error-free copy
3 – communicate when something goes wrong.
Though it’s important to write well, may I add that it’s also important to master the basics so clients will hire you more than once or twice.
* end of rant
Upwork and Problogger may not be the best places to find freelance writers. Copyhackers recently posted an article on where to find writing talent.
Thank you, I really needed this.
I’m glad it’s helpful, Yasmine!
Awesome post, as always. Apart from your writing, I still wonder how you draw and emote feelings with clarity. To be honest, I am caught up in the air of competition with my non-drawing background. After reading your post, I realized that I also don’t want to become a top-notch sketch artist. I just want to sketch for adding strengths to my words.
Like you, I have tried pouring my words and sketch on paper. But, I never get the clear output as yours. In my case, the scanner also didn’t work. Which tool do you use to avoid blurry output? Or do you draw digitally?
Did you take any beginner course just to brush your drawing skills?
“I just want to sketch for adding strengths to my words.”
That’s the same for me. I want to draw images that help me communicate my message, and I’d like it when my illustrations make people smile. I draw with colored pencils (Derwent Colorsoft – these are quite vibrant) and I have a relatively cheap Epson scanner. You may want to try using different paper, too. I use Daler & Rowney smooth cartridge paper. I don’t think the brand is important, but it is important to have smooth paper when using colored pencils (you can use colored pencils on watercolor paper but then the scans are awful).
I did various online courses. The main thing is practicing a lot!
Another incredible post, Henneke! Love the reminder to close the scary gap and keep doing the work! Good luck with PhotoShop (I couldn’t get the “hang” of it). I’m currently wrestling with Illustrator and will apply your pep talk but may have to resort to pencil and paper.
Pencil and paper are still the best! I treasure my colored pencils. I’m just curious to see what I could do with PhotoShop, but I’m not planning to go fully digital. The process of hand-coloring images is too meditative 🙂
This was a great article. I think we can all relate to feeling inadequate at times. I love to build blogs and write, but lost my mojo a while back. I let my own inner doubt get the best of me.
I may not be Ernest Hemingway, but I’ve stuff to share. I just started back after too long of a break. I’m excited to share my journey.
Thanks for the inspiration. I do appreciate it.
Sometimes we set the standard way too high for ourselves. To write good blog posts we don’t have to be Ernest Hemingway. The main thing is having good ideas to share, so follow your excitement to share your journey!
I hope you’ll find your mojo back soon, David. Thank you for stopping by.
Hi Henneke,
Just what I needed to read today, thank you! I’ve been in this game for several years now but I still feel insecure about my work at times. I’ll bookmark this and remember to pop back and re-read it when those gremlins rear their ugly heads…
I always enjoy your posts. Thank you.
Sally
Those gremlins keep coming back, don’t they? I know the feeling. I still feel insecure about my work at times, too. Less so about my blog (even though it still happens when I write a more personal post), but definitely every time I start with a new group in my courses!
I appreciate your comment, Sally. Thank you for adding your thoughts.
I just came over from LinkedIn, and I have to say, I’m so glad I did. This was a really nice piece, Henneke.
I’ve been working to overcome the fixed mindset issue ever since I read Carol’s book. It reminded me of something that happened when I was a kid. I won the Achievement Award for my grade, and I was at the award ceremony. My dad was bragging to some other parent about the award I got, and the other parent referred to another kid getting the Most Improved Award. (This was a super fancy school, so these awards MATTERED.) My dad rolls his eyes and says:
“Who gives a **** about improvement? The kid was lousy, and now he’s less lousy. We give awards for that now? You either got it or you don’t.”
When I read Carol’s book, I realized, wow… that’s what I grew up with. I was literally trained to believe that talent was the only thing that mattered. That improvement is to be ridiculed.
It’s been a struggle, learning to deal with that. I don’t feel like I’ve made a lot of progress. (Which is ironic, considering the topic area.) But I keep trying.
Thanks for a great piece, and excellent modeling for a thought process that would be a lot more constructive. <3
That’s such a great example of the fixed vs growth mindset!
I don’t want to upset the feelings of the younger Naomi, but the Most Improved Award might be more important in life than the Achievement Award.
It’s such a pity that many of us grow up with a fixed mindset. I never believed I could do any of the things I’m doing now. Running a business? No entrepreneurial genes! Drawing? No way, I’m not creative. Writing? Don’t make me laugh! We’re all so much more capable than we think. I’m sure you’ve also made way more progress than you think.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your story!
What an inspiring post Henneke!
I am guilty of this myself. Oftentimes I actually get discouraged by it and have to push myself to get back in the saddle.
But what keeps me going is the actual reality that I have really have improved, and continue. I just have to look back at some of my earlier work. In fact, I laugh about it a lot.
What is also true is the reason I have improved is I have read a lot of material by good writers (like yourself) who challenge and inspire me. That is the one reason I can attribute my improvement as a writer.
Again, thank you for this post. I am a big fan of your work.
This is such an interesting point! I’ve learned to laugh about my own insecurities, too. It feels part of the recovery process, as if it puts some space between me and my doubts.
Thank you so much for stopping by to add your thoughts, Patrick. Keep pushing yourself back into the saddle! 🙂
Great article! First, I love your drawings! They’re fresh, original, and a little quirky. They add charm and character to your posts. …And I feel encouraged enough to pick up the colored pencils and doodle from time to time.
Second, thanks for the reminder that we’re all works in process. Perfection isn’t the goal. Continuing to learn and improve are the goals. Successful leaders don’t use the “F” word (failure). Things that don’t work out as expected are viewed, and called, “learning experiences.”
It’s time to tell the inner critic to “zip it!” (I’m having a punctuation crisis here… Is it “zip it”! or “zip it!”?)
Best to you, Henneke!
Oh my, a punctuation crisis. I would “cheat” and write it without quotation marks: It’s time to tell the inner critic to zip it!
I like your point on removing the word failure from our vocabularies. If we can stop getting anxious about failure, we can achieve so much more (and have more fun along the way, too.).
Thank you very much for your compliment on your drawings. What an honor that my drawings encourage you to pick up your colored pencils, too. Happy doodling!
17th century artists openly talked about emulating a favorite master: they would paint in his style and try to be better than him. That was totally accepted. Ha! Try that in 2018!
I guess they also looked at other people’s work to learn, not to tell themselves they sucked 😉
Yes, good point! I guess that’s what the whole idea of apprenticeship was based on.
I read part of Walter Isaacson’s biography of Leonardo da Vinci (I know that’s a little older – 15th century), and it was also interesting that he’d work with several apprentices on a painting. It feels so different from how we view the process of making art these days.
Our thinking about art has been corrupted by the 19th century myth of genius, which persists. Yet successful artists even today often have assistants or even run large studios (Warhol, Koonz).
It always amazes me how much our thinking is influenced by our actual culture. And how little we question it.
This is a fascinating topic, which I don’t know a lot about. Do you think that less individualistic societies have a different view on art?
I think different cultures have different views anyhow. How one appreciates art is very much a result of (art) education and (sub-) culture. I once had a very smart Tanzanian friend who did not recognize a horse in a slightly abstracted painting. He did not grow up near museums 😉
Your writing style is superb and easy to digest. The way you start introductory paragraph with astonishing pitch is quite remarkable.
Thanks for reminding me everyone starts from zero, we don’t need to compare ourselves with others but should remain in constant approach to get better than ourselves.
One step forward is forward. We should stop beating ourselves up against others.
Always look forward for your great work that truly resonates with my needs and expectations. Best wishes 🙂
Thank you for your lovely compliment, Adnan.
I spent quite a lot of effort to get my intro paragraphs right (it doesn’t always work but I try!). You can read more about how I write my intros here: https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/how-to-write-opening-paragraphs/
Happy writing!
Hi Henneke
I really like the points from your pep talk. When I go into a funk it’s all about how I am feeling, but reading how the ‘conversation’ went for you after a couple of weeks of stagnation has given me an idea for being faster to get back in the game: asking those rational questions and then acting on the answers immediately instead of taking time to wallow in self-criticism.
Thanks also for pointing out the important difference between modelling and criticising — if we simply want to learn, judgment has no place.
(You’re learning Photoshop! Wow!
For the record, I *love* your coloured pencil work, it’s so unique and distinctive in a world of digital creations 🙂 )
Don’t worry, I’ll keep treasuring my colored pencils. The course is very much focused on mixing hand-drawing techniques with PhotoShop, so it’s interesting to explore, but I don’t know whether I’d use it yet. (And Henrietta would probably get angry with me if I tried drawing her in PhotoShop! :-D)
I like the point you make about cutting the “conversation” (and wallowing in self-criticism) short. With the PhotoShop course, it took me a while to realize what was going on before I took action. Those excuses seemed perfectly good reasons not to get on with the course!
Thanks so much, Henneke, but you are actually my inspiration. You are a wonderful, real-life model of growth mindset, and how to take action against fears in a practical, applicable way. Love ya! Brilliant post!
You’ve also helped me see more clearly where or why I get stuck, and how to troubleshoot my own stuckness. I’m thankful for that!
Henneke, this is a superb post. And so timely for me.
I am currently starting a new blog venture. And sometimes, I hear that ugly, mean voice in my head telling me lies like:
Who do you think you are? It’s already been done. What do you have to offer that’s new? Who will care? It’s too late. Blah. Blah. Blah.
So I have to keep telling myself every day that it isn’t too late; that I do have something to offer that is unique because it’s from me; that I care; that maybe it has been done before but not by me; that I won’t know until I risk it and put it out there into the world, and so forth.
I will print this post and read it every time those lying demons try to steer me off course. So thank you for the support!
“It’s already been done.”
I had the same doubt when I started my blog, and I’ve heard this from a lot of people.
But the thing is … we’ve not heard “it” from you yet. You have unique experiences and a unique voice. So, your tribe wants to hear what you have to share.
Hi Henneke,
Your posts are always so timely.
Just yesterday I was comparing another writer’s copy to mine, and started to feel down. I actually looked at what they did that I liked but when I went back to mine, I realised that I was already incorporating the same tactics. And I had written it well to reflect me.
Sometimes you just need to give yourself that shake and get going again.
It’s so easy to get down, isn’t? But it sounds like you picked yourself up really quickly (much faster than I did, finding excuses not to start that course for two weeks!)
Thank you so much for adding your story, Yvette. Happy writing!
What an absolutely exhilarating honest review of the human psychological mindset. I’m always comparing myself to others which creates nothing but writer’s block/writer’s paralysis …
I wish you more success than what you already have.
Regards,
Becky
Yes, so true … comparing leads to paralysis. The same thing happened to me with the PhotoShop course. (And I tried to ignore what was happening with my excuse that I was too tired and too busy).
Thank you, Becky!
I’m curious to know how you are getting on with your Photoshop course.
So many people online create digital art – nothing wrong with that. But you are brave enough to hand draw your illustrations. You are way better than you think. x
I’ve only just started the course (a couple of weeks late, and then got delayed for another week by a norovirus), so it’s a little too early to say how I’ll use what I’m learning. What’s interesting about the course is that it’s about combining hand-drawn work and digital work. I’m not planning to give up hand-drawing (I love my colored pencils too much!), but one thing I’m thinking about is doing the hand-lettering digitally because it might be easier and faster.
And thank you for your lovely compliment. That means a lot to me. 🙂
Thanks Henneke. I’m not a particularly talented individual. That may explain why I look forward to reading your stuff. But I believe in putting in the hours. And have managed to get started. So, there is hope for me.
You’ve just confirmed it.
For me, getting started is half the work, perhaps even more. Once I get started on a project, I usually can keep going, step by step.
And I don’t see myself as a talented individual either. Just a hard worker 🙂
Wow, that’s exactly what I needed to read today!!
I was reflecting on this idea this morning. My first instinct is to try to bring my own work down, to use other excellent stuff out there as a whip to beat myself with… But more and more I’ve been thinking of just how pointless that is.
Closing “the gap” goes so much faster when you support yourself, lift yourself up…
Thanks Henneke! Really needed this 🙂
I like how you put this: “Closing “the gap” goes so much faster when you support yourself, lift yourself up…”
It’s so true!
Thank you for leaving a comment, Sophia. I was happy to see your name (and picture) pop up here. Happy writing!
Thanks for writing such an inspiring post! It’s always good to get reminders that we can and should cultivate our talents. Nothing in this world in predetermined. We all should remember that.
Yes, so true: nothing is predetermined, and we can stretch ourselves a lot further than we think.
Thank you for stopping by, Ida!
You are so right! Thanks for pointing it out to me once again. Though I quite often come back again after having entirely talked myself out of a challenging new step, just asking myself those questions (especially nr 1 and 2) will hopefully get me out of that funk quicker. As I was reading it, I just realized I constantly tell my (school age) kids that failing is part of learning but apparently I conveniently forget to tell myself the same. Thanks for another great, thought-invoking blog!
I recognize that. I don’t have children, but I’m sometimes also good at giving advice, and then forgetting to implement it myself.
To some extent, this post was also a reminder to myself to have the right mindset—if I can do that with my writing, why couldn’t I apply it to my drawing?
Thank you for stopping by again, Mariken. I appreciate it!
YES! Rather than compare, I prefer to “see” – see opportunity to learn and grow and improve! Great article Henneke, appreciate the transparency and authenticity you’ve shared.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Marie. Good to “see” you again” 🙂
Henneke thank you so much for this post. I was feeling down recently because I work in an insanely talented marketing agency and I’m the suckiest writer there. I’ve been doubting if I have any talent for it at all and absorbed in overthnking and overediting bc I know my work isn’t as great as the other writers here. This really helped me realign my outlook – where I am is the perfect environment for me to learn, even if I’m learning way slower than I’d like to – now to continue learning and growing in this really talented, wonderful environment!!
Great! I can imagine it feels tough to work in such an insanely talented environment (I’d find that hard, too—there are advantages in working on my own!), but it’s also a great way to learn and let others help you improve your writing.
Thank you for your post. I shared with your insecure and judgmental feelings when I feel challenged as I’m no longer in my comfort zone.
Yes, I also find it hard to get out of my comfort zone. I once read somewhere (I can’t remember where) that we have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. There seems to be a lot of truth in that, because if we want to learn and grow, we have to at least tiptoe outside our comfort zones.
Thank you for stopping by, Cathy.
Hi Henneke,
Another great post. You can’t guess how happy I am feeling because this one is so relatable to be yet in the opposite aspect. ;D
I have this growth mindset and I give it the sole credit for helping me move forward in life. I always take these bigger examples than me like Kristi Hines who writes so many great articles as my inspiration and just like the diagram you drew, I think, where can I add the way she adds those SEO details.
Where in my next blog post can I add such case studies etc. From your blog, I ways love the introduction styles and wonder how can I open my blog posts with such a bang? What type of story I begin with to hook my readers? etc
At one point, one night, I read nearly 50-70 articles of yours (from your blog and on other publications like Copyblogger etc) to learn from you. I incorporated many of your styles in my writing too!
Currently my inspiration is Neil Patel. Look at his blog, it has so high-quality articles with all those case studies, detailed guides, outbound links etc. And as always, I am learning his style and trying to write as in-depth posts as his (I am still far from being there, but I do believe, I’ll be there!).
Life is a journey, success is a journey and we have to keep moving… learning and re-learning.
I don’t know if at all it fits here, but I would conclude with:
…And miles to go before I sleep….and miles to go before I sleep.
Wow, you read over 50 articles of mine in one go? That’s a big compliment. Thank you, Swadhin.
And I totally agree with you that we have to keep moving.
Happy writing!
Haha! I even tweeted out some posts that night (almost a year back!) but then thought you’d think I was spamming and didn’t tweet the rest 😀
Thank you!
Bang on.
I used to feel the same way 2 years back. And sure enough, my writing was bad, dull and horrible.
But today as I look upon my older drafts, I can see the journey I have made. The progress is evident. Hence, I am of firm believer that given time and dedicated effort, improvement is bound to happen.
That’s the way to go. Get inspired from your heroes, accept that it is okay to be lag behind. Because you will grow slowly as you write more.
The basic principles applies – keep pushing
That’s such a good point—to look back on our journey and see the progress we’ve made. That boosts my confidence, too. Especially when I look at my drawings from 4 years ago! Drawing regularly week in week out has made a real difference to my skills.
Thank you for stopping by to add your thoughts, Rohan. I appreciate it.
Hi Henneke:
Yes, thanks Kathy!! for inspiring this one. I love ? it.
Here’s why. I adore your writing, Henneke, but so does EVERYONE! You’re someone who many of us aspire to write as well as.
You’re someone to model from and in all sincerity, I’m sometimes writing away and think to myself, hmm what word would Henneke use here? Or humpf, that sentence reminds me of Henneke.
Then I smile, because I figure when I remind myself of you writing or try to emulate all the super fab tips and tricks you share, I must be getting better:)
I also remember thinking I’m not EVER going to make it as a writer. I was feeling almost desperate and ready to quit. And then, I got a little note from you (in 2015 I think) about one of my articles, saying you thought my star was rising and you liked the post.
I haven’t stopped writing since (grammarly told me 85k+ last week!! Lol) and will be forever grateful for those few sentences of encouragement. I remember thinking to myself then, I can keep getting better at this so I’m not going to stop!
Learning and getting better is truly half the fun—at least for me!! Thanks for everything you do for writers, dear Henneke:)
Happy writing (and drawing) 4ever and longer, Sue-Ann
Yes, yes, thank you to Kathy!
Wow, you wrote 85k+ last week? That’s amazing!
And I agree with you that learning and getting better is half the fun. Perhaps even more than half the fun? When I felt down about my drawing skills, I also reminded myself how far I got in the last few years. It’s so easy to forget that.
I appreciate all your support, Sue-Ann. Thank you.
You spoke to me directly! Thank you for picking me back up, Henneke. I forgot I need to live through the process and I won’t be better without practice. Oh, how easily we forget.
Yes, it’s easy to forget. I also wrote this post as a reminder to myself!
Thank you for stopping by again, Hena. I appreciate it.
Henneke,
I love this post.
I am sure this will resonate with many people out there, including me. Often this comparison and the following fear and excuses are what make many people paralyse from taking action. I love how you explained the solution.
Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that everyone starts at zero. All the leaders were once amateurs like us.
Yes, that’s so true: “Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that everyone starts at zero. All the leaders were once amateurs like us.”
Thank you for adding that point, Waheeda. I’m glad this post resonated with you.