Overcome Fear of Failure
Learn the steps I take when I find I am fearful to move towards my goals, because I think I will be a failure.
Acknowledge the Fear
When you recognize you are not moving toward your desired goal due to fear. Acknowledge the fear. Do not avoid it and do something you enjoy more. By acknowledging it, you can start the process of dealing with it. Also, you need to say it aloud. I am fearful of failing at XYZ
Breathe
Now that you acknowledge it, you most likely will feel it strong in your body. So, center yourself by breathing. Not the shallow breath. But deep breathes. Take 3-5 deep breathes. Breathe in through your nose to fill expand your stomach. Hold the breath slightly for a second. Then slowly breath through your mouth. At the end, you should feel your body relax. If you have to do more than 5 deep breathes do it. Don’t rush pass this step.
Identify What You Really Want
When you are overcome with fear cause you think you will fail, this is the time to pause. Sometimes, fear can overpower your ability to see your goal clearly. You get lost in the emotion and lose sight of your vision. Reflect on what it is that you want. Is your goal to start your business? Or is your goal to speak at a conference, get on a board or be a contributing writer for a media platform? Focus on your end goal to stabilize yourself. When you can see your goal, you are in a better position to tackle it. Don’t let fear cloud your vision.
Identify The Obstacle
Once you regain your footing and clarity on what you want, own up to what is making you fearful of failure. Afraid of criticism for not knowing something? Are you afraid of failing to be yourself? Are you afraid of competition? What specific part are you afraid at failing at?
Understand what is stopping you so that you can overcome it. If you don’t see the hurdle, you can’t jump over it. Embrace the barrier to break free from it.
Recognize The Benefit Of Fear
Fear in any form means you are outside of your comfort zone. So, ask yourself these two questions
- Do you want to retreat to your comfort zone?
- Or, do you want to move forward to your growth?
So, if you are deciding to stay in your comfort zone at least 51% of the time, then do not get mad when you see others passing you by. Even that person you think you are just as smart as or could do a better job. The difference could be they chose to move towards growth at least 51% of the time.
Conclusion
See, with growth comes new skills. With new skills, you can leverage into capital. Intellectual capital (mean becoming an authority figure on a specific subject matter) and/or Monetary capital, packaging your skills into a product or program to be sold.
Next Steps
How about learning what is your entrepreneur superpower is? When you stand in your strength, your fear must take all the seats. Below this post click the button to take the Entrepreneur Superpower quiz.
I always find myself wanting to retreat back to my comfort zone when I’m confronted with fear. I’m hoping your tips will help me to finally overcome my fears and learn new skills.
Terri – try them out and see what works. Feel free to tweak to fit you. The most important thing is to recognize and then work on it. Congrats to you.
The fear of failure is a real and present thing that most don’t or won’t acknowledge the existence and presence of.
Unfortunately you are correct. That is why I am speaking about it.
This is amazing especially the part where you mentioned recognizing the benefits of fear, this is amazing. Thanks a lot.
I am glad you enjoyed it. We forget that fear does serve a purpose. But it is always how you look at things, that can make a difference.
These are great tips to live by for sure. I will be passing these along to a few friends I know who could benefit.
Thanks Alicia, appreciate you sharing. As I say, “Sharing is caring.”
I need to do this – the fear of failure often stops me doing things I really want to do! Thanks for the tips!
Hi Kate,
Start out taking one baby step and do that consistently. Before moving on to the next thing.
we all have fears! we wish to be free of it. it can be overcome by recognising the root causes 🙂
Exactly Nina. Once you get to the root cause, then you can find a solution to that specific problem. That is a more lasting change.
Fear is one part of many senses of our lives that exists and many don’t understand it for we don’t know how to deal with it. You have given the great tips/steps to help . Love the breathing steps and I find I use them consistently in many different cases.
I find sometimes the most simple things are the most effective. Breathing intentionally can calm you down almost instantly.
Awesome post. I think the fear of failure is something everyone has to a degree.
Neely,
We wouldn’t be human if we did not. But in the process of overcoming it, is where we find our strengths and gifts we did not know we had. So it does serve a purpose.
It can be so hard to overcome a fear, but worth the effort it takes! I am afriad of heights and have to give myself a pep talk before going out on a rooftop. I still venture up to high places though and it is worth the anxiety. Conquered fears are the best kind!
Chris,
You are so correct. I did that with horseback riding. When I was young I had a horrible experience. But as an adult, I forced myself to try it again. Now I am no one’s professional rider, but I know I won’t run away from it.
Oh, this fear of failure. So many times it made to procrastinate and lowered my productivity levels. Thank you for these tips. Very useful.
Andrea,
I am glad you like the tips.
Facing fears can be so hard, but as you said it can be the only way to grow! And you never know what may happen if you don’t take the leap.
Right Stephanie, you never know until you take the leap. We forget that things we find easy now, at one time was scary and new to us. But we got over that fear. Thanks for your comment
I’m currently struggling with my obstacle. I know exactly what it is and what to do with moving past it, but it’s definitely not easy!
Angela,
Give yourself grace. Based on what you said, you are on third base. Relish in that huge accomplishment. You got it and I will see you at the home plate.
Excellent post! this guide will be very helpful when I find myself in those difficult situations! Thank you!
Nati,
I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Please do come back and refer to it as you need it.
This is such a wonderful way to break down how to overcome fears. Identifying obstacles is so important in moving forward.
Christa, I truly believe that if you do not get to the root cause, it will resurface over and over again. And No one got time for that.
Oooo such a helpful guide on how to handle fear!! I’m usually not someone who gets scared of things, but every once in awhile….
Oooo such a helpful guide on how to handle fear!! I’m usually not someone who gets scared of things, but every once in awhile….
Courtney, I know exactly what you mean. That every once in awhile, gets you every time.