A lot of writers struggle with low self-image because of taking so many rejections on the chin, getting kidney-punched with one-star reviews, low sales numbers, yada yada. But even more humbling is receiving a review like this:

"Finishing this book was like having to say goodbye to a loved one for an indeterminate length of time! I had never heard of Michelle Griep before finding this treasure of a book free on Amazon and now I have added another author to my top 5 (she jumped into 2nd place, bumping a few other authors down a notch or two!) There are simply no words to describe this book! You know that feeling you get when you eat something so delicious that you just have to close your eyes and savour every bite, making the meal last as long as possible? That's what this book does to its readers! The description in it and the turn of phrase is beyond exquisite! Sentences such as "...yet the darkness deepened more. Black crawled in and made a home behind his eyeballs." "...he used up every profanity he owned, then borrowed a few he'd heard down at the wharves;" and "Whispers passed around the sanctuary like an unholy wind" compete to make this reading experience one of the best you've ever had! The characters were well rounded and described uniquely (I'll never forget the hedgehog policeman!) and the story was incredible! It was clearly very well researched and historically accurate. My only complaint (apart from the fact that it didn't last forever!) is that it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger and there doesn't appear to be a sequel - at least not yet. I'm hoping and praying that will change in the near future! If you want a compelling read pick up this book - you won't be sorry! 5 stars are not enough for it - even 20 would be too few!"

Wow. Really? Me--little ol' me--impacted someone enough for them to take the time to write down all those sweet and wonderful words? Amazing.

Yes, of course I basked in the glory of good feelings for a few minutes after reading this, but then my companion self-doubt put his arm around my shoulders and squeezed with this question:

How do I ever live up to that standard in the future?

Writers really are that messed up. I suppose that's what comes of baring one's soul to the world. So I did a little research and found out the
TOP 5 WAYS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DEAL WITH SELF-DOUBT

1. Stop making excuses.
Just because someone loves or hates your work, don't use that as an excuse to quit producing. Painters paint. Writers write. Bankers, umm, bank. Just do what you do no matter what.

2. Don't ask for validation.
Seeking outside counsel on a piece of work, a particular project, or even an issue that you're dealing with can be helpful if you take what you hear with a grain of salt. If you seek for validation from anywhere else but from God, you're going to be disappointed.

3. Shut up and put up.
Don't just talk about what you're going to do because your brain mistakes the talking for the doing, and then when you don't see any real progress, you feel even worse.

4. Choose your companions wisely.
Who you hang around with affects you as a person. Rubbing elbows with upbeat, positive buddies can and will keep you from sliding into a downer of a mood.

5. Self-compassion is key.
When you fail at something important, do you keep things in perspective, or do feelings of inadequacy consume you? If so, cut yourself some slack. Extend yourself grace. No one is perfect. Ever.