The truth about book 5.

I'm writing my 5th book. And I'm drowning in self-doubt.

You'd think after 4 bestsellers (I know, disgusting #humblebrag), I'd have this figured out. That imposter syndrome would have packed its bags and moved on to torment someone else.

Nope.

If anything, it's worse this time. And I suspect that my husband is really sick of hearing me complain.

But here's what I'm learning:

The doubt means I care. If I wasn't terrified, I'd be phoning it in. The fear is evidence that I'm pushing into new territory, not recycling old ideas.

My worst writing is still better than no writing. When I re-read Part 1 of my book yesterday morning, it wasn't half as bad as I remembered when I was editing it last week.

Every creator feels this way. I've interviewed many bestselling authors on How I Work. Every. Single. One. talked about self-doubt. Even the ones with 20+ books under their belt.

The process is the teacher. Maybe the lesson isn't about writing at all. Maybe it's about sitting with discomfort and creating anyway.

So I'm writing. Badly some days. Better on others. Doubting myself constantly (as in: daily).

And somehow, something meaningful emerges (or at least it has to because I am DEADLINE!).

To everyone wrestling with their own version of Book 5 – whether it's a project, a promotion, or a life change – your doubt doesn't disqualify you. It might just mean you're doing something that matters.