Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Weslie Lechner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Weslie, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I don’t really think imposter syndrome is something you overcome. At least not for me. Instead, it’s something that I’ve just learned to live with, acknowledge, and then do the thing I want to do anyway. Over the last year, I went from writing on the side and working for someone else full-time to quitting my job and taking the plunge into full-time freelance writing. It’s hands down one of the most terrifying leaps I’ve ever taken. I constantly felt like I was failing and flailing. I constantly dreamed of quitting and going to get another job. I constantly worried I couldn’t do it. There were lots of tears and lots of doubts. I realized that the trick when I fantasized about giving up is that I just kept going anyway. It’s probably been the hardest and most rewarding year of my life professionally-speaking. I still have imposter syndrome. However, I’ve now gotten to the point where I’m less interested in what that voice has to say because I’ve proven it wrong so many times.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
One of the trickiest parts of starting my own Freelance Writing business was figuring out how to sell myself to people. I’m a screenwriter and creative writer, but when you work full-time as a writer, you’re not always going to find those kinds of jobs. I knew I needed to also move into copywriting and writing content for companies in order to stay afloat. As I started looking for clients, I realized that the years I’d spent honing my craft as a storyteller and comedy writer really came in handy when I spoke to start ups and businesses that need to upgrade their brand voice. I was able to market myself to clients in a diverse range of industries as a comedy writer that could take complicated topics and make them fun, light, and interesting for potential consumers. Essentially, in really owning my skill as a comedy writer, I’ve been able to find work in creative storytelling AND creative copywriting which has really widened my net for finding work while making what I provide more specific. One of my biggest hurdles in the past has been that I know I do my best work when I’m learning at the same time. With writing, I’m constantly engaged because I’m always learning new things for or about my clients.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Hmm, let’s see. I think to really seriously make it as a freelance writer you need a few things. First of all, you just need to be willing to fail. One of my favorite pieces of advice is to fail fast because the quicker you find out what doesn’t work, the quicker you’ll get to what does. The point at which I finally took the plunge to start my own business was the point at which I decided that maybe failing was better than not even trying. I had that same attitude every time I took on a new project, said yes to a new client, or tried new methods to market myself. Being able to sit in the discomfort and anxiety of “what if this doesn’t work” and push through to the other side was vital to becoming successful. It’s something I still need. I still worry it could fail. The difference between me now and before I was ready to try is that I’m more okay with it. I’ve done so many things wrong the first, second, or third time, but doing them wrong made me realize how to do them right.
The second thing that has been really important for me is not necessarily a specific area of knowledge, but a strong understanding of what I bring to the table. In writing, specificity is everything. Writers are a diverse bunch. We all have different areas of interest and knowledge. Taking time to sit down and figure out what mine were allowed me to better understand what value I brought to the table. In turn, I was able to articulate to others what I could do for them.
Third and maybe most important, the skill I really had to hone was learning how to rest. Writing is so in your head that it can be easy to spend all of your time obsessing over what you’re working on. The secret to me is knowing that it’s vital to walk away sometimes. Go read a book, go for a walk, hike, run, hang with friends. The number of times I’ve solved a writing problem by not looking directly at it is too high to count. Additionally, the physical act of writing is just not great for your body. You’re usually hunched over a screen in an unnatural position for hours at a time and it takes a toll! Recognizing that exercising and moving my body made me better when I actually sat down to work was a huge game changer. I realized that being productive wasn’t about how many hours I spent in front of my computer but about how focused I was during those hours. Shorter work hours and prioritizing my body’s health has produced far better results for me than spending 10 hours obsessing over my screen every day.
My biggest advice for those starting out is to be gentle with yourself and create boundaries between yourself and your work. I have big people pleaser tendencies. I had to spend a lot of time reminding myself that I was doing something new and that messing up was part of the process. In freelance, the line between yourself and your work is bound to get blurry. But viewing taking care of my mental, emotional, and physical needs and strong boundaries as a way to make me better at my job was a game changer. You’re not just a writer, you’re also your own manager if you go freelance. You have to remember to treat your employee (yourself) well, or you’re burn out.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My partner has hands down been the most helpful person as I’ve been building my business. He’s one of the first people that encouraged me to do it. He watched me cry and fret and complain I couldn’t do it on an almost weekly basis for probably the first six months. He comforted me during it all while also telling me I was wrong and I absolutely could. He also was a really great sounding board for me as I moved into freelance. I grew up with parents who had the same 9-5 the entirety of my childhood and into my adulthood. They were incredibly supportive of my transition into freelance, but I had never had an example growing up of what it looked like. My partner, who’s been freelance the entire time I’ve known him, was so helpful in just showing me that it was possible. I think ultimately, the thing I needed most when starting out was a cheerleader who could tell me I could do it when I was doubting myself. He came through every time. I don’t know if I would’ve stuck with it without the incredibly kind and generous support he and others in my life offered. I had friends lend an ear, pay for me sometimes when I was too broke to go to brunch, and just tell me that they knew I could do it. Ironically, in working for myself, I both found independence and realized how vital my community was to me. It’s honestly been one of the most profound leaps of faith I’ve ever taken in my life and I’m so thankful to the people in my life that have provided a safety net along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.weslielechner.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weslielechner/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslie-lechner-writer/
