5 Simple Tips on How to Overcome the Fear of Failure

Failure has touched the lives of everyone at some point. Because of this fact, you know how horrible it can make you feel. No wonder you strive to avoid it at all costs!

But the problem is that this fear of failure can become one of your biggest life fears. Even worse, it can guide your life to one you did not want nor were not meant for.

Fear of failure is a fear of the great unknown. You're scared because you don't know what's truly out there. You fear that someone may laugh at you. You fear that you will make a mistake by acting. You might even be tempted to abandon your dreams entirely to avoid failure. You'll soon realise that not trying is the ultimate failure because there is no way to win without trying. Nor can you ever know which was the right decision – you’ll never know what would have happened had you taken another road.

So, how can you overcome this fear and gain the confidence you need to seek the life you desire?

Here’s what you can do to overcome the fear of failure:

1. Imagine the absolute worst-case scenario. Of course, you should spend time imagining everything turning out well, but it actually helps to imagine the worst case as well. This is because, while horrible, imagining the worst case gives your fears a face. Your fears are then no longer the unknown, and they may not be quite as scary. You might also realise that even the worst case is not as bad as you originally thought. 

2. Take massive action. The fear of failure can hold you hostage. When you take massive action, you're able to learn from your mistakes so you can continuously move forward.

3. Talk to successful people. Ask them about times that they've failed or times that they've felt a fear of failure. It's likely that they were afraid too, and that they've even failed greatly before reaching success. Knowing that you're not alone can be quite helpful.

4. Utilise affirmations. Use the help of affirmations to change your mindset about your fears. Affirmations can help you reprogram your subconscious mind so that you believe you'll succeed, which will encourage you to take action to make it happen.

5. Know that you'll try again. Tell yourself that if you're face to face with failure, you will pick yourself up and try again, no matter how many tries it takes. Then follow your plan.

Support from Outside and Inside

Since the fear of failure is such a common one, there are many people around you that you can talk to about the subject. You might feel alone but believe us, you're not. Discuss your issues with a trusted friend or a professional helper. Sometimes, just having someone listen, understand, or relate to your thoughts can make your fears seem like less of a burden. It can help you to get into a positive mindset, which is the first step you'll need to take to tackle your fear of failure head-on.

After you've mastered your fear of a particular situation, keep at it to stay on top of your fears. The key is consistency and positive thoughts - your inner dialogue is key! Remember that there are always lessons to be learned on your journey, even if you've failed.

Keep at it, and good things will come.