Fear of failure is something everyone experiences at some point in life, but fear does not exist. What do I mean by saying this? Fear comes from our subconscious minds from past experiences that we have encountered. We worry about what will happen if we fail, and our failure does not even exist yet, so why do we fear it?
Symptoms of Fear of Failure
Fear of failure involves extreme worry, negative thoughts, and hesitation or unwillingness to work toward a task or goal.
- Procrastination
- Feeling stuck
- Chronic worry
- Self-sabotage
- Low self-confidence
- High distractibility, being pulled away from what you should be working on to irrelevant and unimportant things.
- Avoidance of tasks and the people involved in the project or work goal.
Physical Symptoms
- Headaches
- Stomach issues
- Muscle and joint pain are severe enough to keep you from working towards your goals.
- Sleep issues, too much or too little.
Emotional Symptoms
Emotional symptoms may include:
- An intense feeling of panic or anxiety.
- The overwhelming need to escape a situation that produces fear.
- Feeling detached from yourself.
- Feeling like you’ve lost control over a situation.
- Feeling or thinking that you may die or pass out.
- Feeling powerless over your fear.
What Causes Fear of Failure?
Fear of failure is a constant, overwhelming feeling of dread accompanying undertaking projects or pursuing life goals. People with atychiphobia often feel sure they will fail, even if the feelings are baseless. This insecurity can interfere with their thoughts, emotions, and actions.
Fear of failure can follow a pattern of contributors, including biological and environmental conditions, like experiencing a traumatic event or having parents who pressure you to be a high achiever.
- Patterns Learned From Parents
- Traumatic Life Experiences and High Stress
- Genetic & Biological Issues
- Perfectionism
When kept in check, a healthy fear of failure can be positive and lead us to better plan, focus, and prepare. But when fear of failure grows out of control, it can become paralyzing and isolating.
Taking Failure Personally
When we take failure very personally, we always associate failure with a bigger story about ourselves. We are taking failure to mean “I am not good enough,” “I will never be successful,” “What will my family and friends think of me if I fail,” “I don’t have the resources I need,” etc.
When you feel very upset about a specific failure, ask yourself, what is the belief I have about this situation?” Then, see if you can uncover the exaggerated story you are telling yourself about this failure.
Try to separate the story from the facts.
Facts: The product launch generated $20,000 of revenue compared to the goal of $80,000.
Story: My parents were right; my business idea sucks. I’ll never be successful and make it on my own. I’m a loser.
Once you uncover the story, notice that it is just that. A story, and see if you can re-write it by creating a more positive response such as “I’m willing to take risks, and I learn from my mistakes and move on.”
Affirmations to Overcome Fear:
I fearlessly pursue the life I desire. I am capable of working through life’s challenges, and I am strong and equipped with the tools to endure difficult circumstances.
Stop fear by being aware of it; ask yourself where does this fear stem. I ask myself questions to get to the root cause of my fear and anxiety. I no longer let fear prevent me from living my life to the fullest. Acknowledging that I can be apprehensive in certain situations, I take the time to compose myself. I remind myself that nothing beats effort, except for a failure to try. I rather fail than not try at all for not trying to reach my goals in life; isn’t that already failure?
Instead of being doubtful about what the future holds, I look ahead in anticipation. I believe this mindset fills me with hope and attracts more positive thoughts and outcomes. When faced with challenges, I focus on discovering a positive solution—focusing my mind on moving forward despite challenges. Looking forward prevents me from worrying about the adverse outcomes of things I cannot control.
Today, I look at fear as a four-letter word that is meaningless in my life. Instead, I use it as a tool to show others how to overcome fear through bravery and strength. My mission is to dive headfirst into everything without holding back, so I can achieve my goals.
The above affirmation is how I have chosen to live my life to the fullest—going for what I genuinely want to do with the rest of my life without fear. I no longer let limiting beliefs of not being good enough hold me back. Doubt and worry about being judged no longer fear me.
Fearless from expressing who I am. Changing into someone truly happy by doing what I love. Helping others to reach their potential, to grow, and expand in any area of life. As a result, others become and do what they love, helping them become successful and happy, no matter what. Do not let fear block your happiness. If it makes you smile from the inside out and jump out of bed in the morning, you are on your life path.
Here are some self-reflection questions we all can ask ourselves:
Self-Reflection Questions
- Has fear prevented me from reaching the life I desire?
- What am I truly afraid of?
- Am I focused on the “what if’s”?
- What steps can I take to pursue my goals without fear?
- What can I do to teach my children to let go of fear?
How Can I Overcome My Fear of Failure? Unfortunately, positive thinking alone is not enough.
Positive thinking alone is not enough. Research has shown that the best outcomes are more successful when we balance positive thinking with visualizing the future obstacles and struggles we will encounter.
Think of a situation in which you are afraid of failure. Visualize yourself now hitting an obstacle, allow yourself to feel the fear, and then see yourself moving forward. Next, spend a few minutes planning how to overcome whatever obstacles may stand in your way. Then see yourself succeeding despite these obstacles.
Everyone I know is afraid of failure. It’s human nature. When we go outside of our comfort zone, we feel scared. Our egos and identity become so wrapped up in what we are doing that when things do not go as we expect, we can feel like we are going to die.
Use Your Fear to Your Advantage
How can you learn to use failure to your advantage rather than dreading it? Here are a few proven strategies to move through your fear of failure:
Reframe Your Goals
First, reframe failure by shifting your goals. Then, expand your plan to include learning something new, and you will never technically “fail” because there is always something that you will learn from your experience.
For example, instead of having a solid goal like “Earn at least $80,000 from this new product launch,” expand your plan to include “Learn something new about how to launch a product successfully.” You can still target $80,000 in revenue while also anchoring yourself to the goal of learning something of value. This way, you cannot “fail” because regardless of the outcome, you are bound to learn something of value.
Visualize Obstacles
Positive thinking alone is not enough. Research has shown that the best outcomes are created when we balance positive thinking with visualizing the future obstacles and struggles we will encounter.
Think of a situation in which you are afraid of failure. Visualize yourself now hitting an obstacle, allow yourself to feel the fear, and then see yourself moving forward. Next, spend a few minutes planning how to overcome whatever obstacles may stand in your way. Then see yourself succeeding despite these obstacles.
Ask Three Powerful Questions
The best response to perceived failure is to ask oneself these powerful questions:
- What did I learn from this situation?
- How can I grow as a person from this experience?
- What are three positive things about this situation?
When you first attempt to list three positive things about the “failure,” your mind may be very resistant. But if you stick with the exercise before you know it, you will see a new opportunity that can come out of this “failure.”
For example, you might think, “Well, losing my biggest client gives me time to focus on my smaller clients. And I will also have more time to pursue potential new clients. But, on the other hand, I may also learn that my product demo needs to be improved, so I can make changes before targeting new clients.”
Surrender and Feel The Fear
Many of us allow fear to paralyze us because we don’t like feeling fear. But if you allow yourself to feel the fear when it shows up, you will notice that it quickly dissipates, and suddenly, the situation feels more manageable.
The next time you notice yourself getting stressed out or feeling afraid of something not working out, sit quietly by yourself, set your timer for five minutes, and start taking deep breaths in and out. Notice where you feel tightness or tension in your body, and breathe into that area. When the timer goes off, your will notice the feelings will have shifted. The more you do this, the more you will trigger your body’s natural calm response and move through fear with greater ease.
Rid Yourself of Subconscious Blocks That Hold You Back From Pursuing Your Desired goals.
Sometimes we need help to overcome our subconscious blocks, for the fear runs deep from childhood trauma or trauma we encounter in adulthood. We need help and guidance from a professional to get past the subconscious blocks that hold us back and keep us stuck in fear. The “Overcome The Fear of Failure” Online video course is professionally designed so you can’t fail.
Overcome The Fear of Failure
Learn to let go of the fear of failure, and be calm, centered, and focused with more confidence in yourself.
“The Overcome The Fear of Failure” online video course lets individuals let go of fear and anxiety and lifetime access. We learn to rid ourselves of all limiting beliefs stuck in the subconscious mind that keep us stuck in fear and regret. Learn to let go of the Fear of Failing, and build the life you truly want and deserve.
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What is Shadow Work? Important for a Happy Healthy Life https://1111newme.com/2022/08/23/what-is-shadow-work-important-for-a-happy-healthy-life/
What is Atychiphobia, and How Can You Manage Fear of Failure? https://www.healthline.com/health/atychiphobia
Fear of Failure in Students, Reasons Why Students Fail https://www.nshss.org/blog/overcoming-fear-of-academic-failure-reasons-why-students-fail-vs-thrive/