Breaking in your freelance writing jeans - part 3

By far the most powerful way to help yourself fit into your new title: Professional Writer, is to actually get paid to write.

But there are some other things you can do at the same time. Here's one:

Take on the biggest doubter of them all - you.

Chances are, even before you land your first gig, you could go up to complete strangers and introduce yourself as a professional writer. They wouldn't bat an eye. Of course you're a writer. You said you are, and they've got no reason to question you.

Looking in the mirror and making a similar statement is another matter entirely.

So that's what I'm going to suggest. Yes, it's probably going to feel goofy. You may have a hard time keeping a straight face. You may tell yourself it's too goofy even to bother with. The more protesting you hear about this, the more you need to do it.

Do it until you get about as much reaction from your own heart as if you told yourself what color your eyes are.