Writing My Way Out of Imposter Syndrome

Did you know that David Bowie was so convinced of the uncommercial viability of his album "Low" that after its release, he toured as Iggy Pop's keyboardist instead of promoting the new record?

In today’s newsletter:

• Proof: How a little bungalow in Silver Lake taught me to silence the imposter and find my true voice.

• Scribe: Instantly turn your processes into step-by-step guides.

• Subscribers: YouTube announces they have more than 100 million subscribers, TikTok’s fallout with UMG is ruining trends, and more.

👨🏻‍💻 DYLAN’S DOWNLOAD

2013 was when I changed my view on writing.

I had never really seen myself as someone who writes. Let alone, send out weekly dispatches to people around the world. I could barely pass English class in school.

At that time, I had just moved into a little bungalow in Silver Lake...which is this artsy part of Los Angeles.

My landlord had told me that there was something magical in the place I was renting.

Previous tenants had written for shows that had become successful. We're talking Emmys, hit TV shows, etc. He said there was good creative energy in the walls.

He wasn't trying to sell me on the place. I had already signed the lease and couldn't really back out. But I went with it.

I fully let myself go with the flow and believe that there was indeed something special about the cottage. Maybe the ghost of some famous screenwriter would start dictating scenes to me in my sleep. Hey, I was optimistic!

In the following year I went on to create a weekly email newsletter that got opened by thousands of people around the world. Can you believe it?

I wrote the first draft of a memoir. 80,000 words in 6 days. I rarely stopped writing. Just typed away on my keyboard while fueled by enough French press coffee and bacon to make Andrew Huberman wince.

My goal was to make that inner voice in my head that said "I'm not a writer" sound silly. I mean, after all, how much more proof could I need? I was putting down the words on the page.

Fast forward to today, I still see how that pops up in everything I do.

"I'm not a talking on camera guy." I've recorded 1,000+ videos anyway, awkwardness and all.

"I've got nothing interesting to say on a podcast." I've published 180+ podcast episodes and at one point literally published an episode a day for the month of May.

"I don't have the skills to run a business." I've been running my business for years now.

I could have tried to convince myself that I was capable of all these things before doing them...but the reality is, just practicing them repeatedly — and giving myself permission to be imperfect made it far easier and gave myself proof that I can't argue with.

If you're doubting yourself, or struggle with imposter syndrome too, you might focus less on yourself and more on the task.

After awhile, it becomes hard to argue with results!

When you're ready, here's how I can help you:

1. Join The Creator Club – Weekly live calls, uplifting community, resources, and a whole lot more.

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