Creator of Succession Suffers from Impostor Syndrome, Despite Golden Accolades
Jesse Armstrong, the acclaimed screenwriter behind hit HBO drama Succession, has admitted to struggling with impostor syndrome despite his numerous awards and accolades. When asked about a writers' room in top form on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Armstrong likened it to "walking on the moon," describing the feeling of effortless creativity and collaboration.
In contrast, he confessed that when things aren't going well, he struggles with self-doubt and uncertainty about his work. Despite having written critically acclaimed shows like Peep Show and In The Loop, Armstrong admitted that he still experiences a nagging fear of not being good enough.
He shared that the key to overcoming this feeling lies in identifying that 10-20% of confidence he has in his abilities. "If I could do the version of this which I think it should be, it could be really great," he said. This spark of self-assurance can help him push through moments of creative paralysis and believe in himself.
Armstrong's words serve as a reminder that even the most accomplished creatives struggle with feelings of inadequacy. By acknowledging these insecurities and cultivating confidence, writers like Armstrong can produce their best work and overcome the crippling doubt that often accompanies success.
In an industry where originality and talent are constantly scrutinized, it's refreshing to hear from someone who has achieved immense success while still grappling with self-doubt. Armstrong's openness about his struggles offers a valuable lesson for aspiring writers: even when it feels like you're on top of the world, the fear of failure is always lurking in the shadows.
Jesse Armstrong, the acclaimed screenwriter behind hit HBO drama Succession, has admitted to struggling with impostor syndrome despite his numerous awards and accolades. When asked about a writers' room in top form on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Armstrong likened it to "walking on the moon," describing the feeling of effortless creativity and collaboration.
In contrast, he confessed that when things aren't going well, he struggles with self-doubt and uncertainty about his work. Despite having written critically acclaimed shows like Peep Show and In The Loop, Armstrong admitted that he still experiences a nagging fear of not being good enough.
He shared that the key to overcoming this feeling lies in identifying that 10-20% of confidence he has in his abilities. "If I could do the version of this which I think it should be, it could be really great," he said. This spark of self-assurance can help him push through moments of creative paralysis and believe in himself.
Armstrong's words serve as a reminder that even the most accomplished creatives struggle with feelings of inadequacy. By acknowledging these insecurities and cultivating confidence, writers like Armstrong can produce their best work and overcome the crippling doubt that often accompanies success.
In an industry where originality and talent are constantly scrutinized, it's refreshing to hear from someone who has achieved immense success while still grappling with self-doubt. Armstrong's openness about his struggles offers a valuable lesson for aspiring writers: even when it feels like you're on top of the world, the fear of failure is always lurking in the shadows.
. Like, I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it's crazy how it affects him when things aren't going well. He says 10-20% of confidence is the key to overcoming self-doubt... like, isn't that just a tiny bit? 
And the fact that he still feels like he's not good enough even after all his awards is wild. It's like, dude, you've won Emmys and Oscars! You must be doing something right 
. But for real, it's great that he's opening up about this stuff. I think a lot of us creatives can relate to feeling like we're just faking it till we make it 
.
His 10-20% confidence boost sounds like a superpower right now 
, especially for writers who are already feeling overwhelmed with pressure to perform. It's awesome that he's sharing this secret to overcoming self-doubt so we can all take a page from his book and be a bit more kinder to ourselves when we're not on our A-game 
You know, I was reading this and it got me thinking - we all think we've made it, but really, we're just starting to walk on our own personal moon 
. Armstrong's confession is a reminder that success isn't about feeling like you're flying high all the time, it's about learning to trust yourself in those quiet moments when things get tough. I mean, we can't expect everyone to be as carefree and creative all the time (let's face it, even superstars have bad days 
). The key is to find that spark of confidence that makes you want to push through, even when everything else is telling you to give up. It's like Armstrong said - 10-20% of confidence can make all the difference 
!
Armstrong's humility is really inspiring, especially given his massive success. It's crazy how impostor syndrome can creep up on anyone, even someone with his credentials. I'm sure it's a relief for him to be able to share this with others. I mean, who hasn't felt like they're just winging it sometimes? 
.
its like, we've all been there right? i mean, i'm a diy enthusiast and sometimes my projects just don't turn out as planned 
that tiny spark of confidence can make all the difference. and its so true, even the most successful people struggle with self-doubt. i think thats what makes him relatable 
. It's actually really inspiring that he's willing to share his struggles with impostor syndrome because it makes him seem even more human, you know? I guess the key takeaway here is that confidence isn't about being perfect – it's about taking that 10-20% spark and using it to fuel your creativity 
.
I feel you Jesse... we've all been there, right? It's like, no matter how good we think we are, that little voice in our head still tries to bring us down. But what's really brave about Armstrong talking about this is that he's not hiding it - he's owning up to it and sharing his solution with others. 10-20% of confidence can be a huge lifeline for creatives like him (and all of us, tbh). It's a reminder that even when we feel like we're on top of the world, those doubts are still lurking. So yeah, Armstrong's openness is super refreshing and I'm sure it'll help loads of people who are struggling with impostor syndrome 
. I mean, have you seen some of those Succession episodes? It's like they're speaking directly to my inner me, a.k.a. a 30-something-year-old adult with existential dread 
. I guess that's one way to overcome self-doubt, though? Maybe he should write a script about a guy who calculates his way to success 
.
. But here's the thing: even though we might feel like impostors, it doesn't mean we're not good enough 
!
But it's also kinda amazing that he's able to recognize when his confidence kicks in and he knows he's on the right track. That 10-20% of confidence thing... yeah, I can get behind that 
. I mean, who needs actual talent when you can just talk about having "10-20%" confidence in yourself? Sounds like a bunch of hooey to me 
I mean, if he's struggling with self-doubt even after all his success, how can we expect the rest of us to be confident in our own work? 
