The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.
14 Aug 2026
On this week's Episode 147 of This Week in Quality, the topic of Impostor Syndrome came up, and I said I'd share something I read recently from the "War of Art" by Steven Pressfield. The quote itself is enough, so I'll leave it here. If you've been struggling with Impostor Syndrome, I'm right there with you, and it means you are probably on the right path.
"Self-doubt can be an ally. This is because it serves as an indicator of aspiration. It reflects love, love of something we dream of doing, and desire, desire to do it. If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends), "Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?" chances are you are.
The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death." [Italics mine]
☕ 🌻
"Self-doubt can be an ally. This is because it serves as an indicator of aspiration. It reflects love, love of something we dream of doing, and desire, desire to do it. If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends), "Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?" chances are you are.
The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death." [Italics mine]
☕ 🌻
Judy Mosley
QA Engineer
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QA Engineer curious about systems and how they work. My experience includes participating in Agile processes, automated testing, and sharing insights. More human than bot. Interests: ☕, 🎧, and 🧶
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