From Twisties to Triumph: Turning Doubts into Wins

When I saw my book, You Always Have a Choice named a finalist in the Personal Development category of the Australian Business Book Awards last night, I was so surprised, proud and exhilarated, all rolled into a jumble of emotion. I wondered if I was seeing things! I even cried—and I never cry

The moment felt surreal. My book, one of three incredible finalists in such a competitive category? I couldn’t believe it. For me, this wasn’t just a recognition of my work; it was a victory over the doubts and fears I’d carried for years.

The truth is, imposter syndrome was alive and well when I submitted the nomination. Research shows that around 70% of adults will experience at least one episode of imposter syndrome in their lives, and I felt every bit of it.

“What makes you think you belong in this competition?” “Your writing isn’t strong enough.” “You’re not like those ‘real’ authors.”

These voices were loud in my head as I clicked "submit." But in that moment, I chose courage over fear.

Courage isn’t about silencing the doubts—it’s about acting in spite of them.

Submitting my book into the awards wasn’t just a nomination; it was a declaration that I believed in my story, even if part of me still wasn’t sure.

For me, the act of stepping outside my comfort zone was the real win. Growth only happens when you lean into discomfort, and that moment taught me something invaluable: your story matters, even if you’re still learning how to tell it.

The Story Behind the Story

That’s not something I could have imagined back in high school. I wasn’t exactly a model student. My mind was often anywhere but the classroom—certainly not immersed in discussions about Romeo and Juliet. I had more pressing interests, like what team we were playing in the netball comp on the weekend or sneaking twisties into class when I thought no-one was watching.

To say my English teacher didn’t care for me would be an understatement. One day, in front of the whole class, she declared, “You are hopeless at English, and you will fail.” Those words cut deep. Who says that to a student?

Her words lingered for years, becoming one of the voices in my head every time I sat down to write. Though I’ve gotten better at quieting it, the echo remains—a long-ingrained belief that I’ve had to unlearn.

Thankfully, my parents saw something in me that my teacher didn’t. They hired a tutor, and slowly, things began to shift. He believed in me and my confidence grew.

Not only did I pass English, but the same teacher who doubted me asked if she could submit one of my essays to a competition. I declined, not out of defiance, but because I realised I didn’t need her approval to believe in my abilities. The irony!

That early criticism became fuel for my determination. Over time, I’ve learned two powerful lessons:

1. Words have immense power. Choose them wisely, especially if you’re in a position of leadership, personally or professionally. The words we use can lift someone up or cast a shadow that takes years to shake.
2. Don’t let others’ opinions—or your own doubts—define your truth. Writing hasn’t always come easy to me, but I’ve worked hard to improve. I’ve leaned on experts, like my brilliant book coach Kath Walters 📚 , who helped me untangle my jumble of ideas, and the team at Publish Central , who polished my work until it shone.

What This Recognition Means

Seeing my book recognised in such a meaningful way wasn’t just a professional milestone—it was deeply personal. It reminded me that courage and growth live outside our comfort zones. Submitting my book was an act of vulnerability, a way of saying, I believe this story deserves to be told.

So, to anyone battling their own inner critic, remember this: you always have a choice.

Choose to take the leap. Choose to believe in yourself. Because your story matters—and so do you.