A woman reached out to me last week for advice.

With tears in her voice, she confessed she’d been working on her book for a year.

Well, working on it in name only. Mostly, what she’d been doing was doubting.

Doubting she could write something people would want to read. Doubting everything she said. Doubting her worthiness. Doubting she’d ever finish.

I told her, “Belief costs nothing. Doubts cost everything.”

Doubts never got anything done. In fact, Shakespeare said, “Our doubts are TRAITORS and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.”

Are you fearing to attempt – or to finish – something because you’re afraid your project won’t be perfect?

Spoiler alert, it won’t be… But if what you’re creating resonates with even a few people, it’s worth it.

If what you have to say or share could help someone be a better parent, person, or partner…  Then not only do you have the right to get it out into the world, you have a responsibility to get it out into the world.

Your work doesn’t do anyone any good sitting in your head or on your laptop.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Believe in the beauty of your dream.”

Today, receive, honor, and act on your creativity and agency. Kick those traitorous doubts to the curb.

Believe that what you have to say and share will make a difference, and then get out of your own way and get to work.

You’ll never be sorry you completed and contributed your unique work to the world, you’ll only be sorry you didn’t do it… sooner.