Don’t let the fear of failure hold you back

The fear of failure is real. It even has a term for it, atychiphobia. If you think about it, the fear of failure is not only about failing; it is about the shame that comes from failing. 

It is the fear that others might think less of you, or even you might think less of yourself if you fail.  This can stem from different things, a childhood where you were not appreciated, constantly belittled and not encouraged. 

It can also be due to overthinking or expecting too much from yourself.  It can even be because of an incident of failure that was too traumatizing for you. 

The fear of failure becomes a problem when it starts affecting your behavior in ways that are not good for you. You start procrastinating because you fear failure. You take fewer risks, you give up easily.  Eventually you stop trying.

How should you deal with fear of failure?

You shouldn't let the fear of failure hold you back from the things you want to do. By following these five steps you can deal with the fear of failure and eventually greet success.

1.   Recognize that you're not perfect

Oftentimes, we expect perfection from ourselves. Remember that perfection is the enemy of the good. If you are trying something for the first time and the result is good enough, that should be satisfying in itself and motivate you to try harder. Recognize that perfection may not always be the result in the first try.

2.  Confide in a friend or journal

When you feel worthless or when you fear failure, confide in a friend who will be sympathetic towards you and understand you. In the absence of a friend, a journal can be used to collect your thoughts and reflect on them. This way, you will look at your situation objectively and will be able to assess if your fears are rational.

3.  Expect rejection and failure

Another strategy to deal with fear of failure is to expect rejection and failure so that it doesn't disappoint you as much. Try things expecting to be rejected or expecting to fail. This will give you the emotional courage to fail. 

4. Turn failure into a learning opportunity

Every time you fail, you can turn it into a learning opportunity by asking the right questions. Ask yourself what you can learn from the experience and how you can improve next time. By analyzing where you went wrong, you can strategize for your success.

5.  Leave toxic relationships

Unknown to ourselves we may be sabotaging our mental health by staying in relationships with people who are not good for our self-esteem. They may be putting you down or creating a negative effect on your mental well-being. It is best to distance yourself from such relationships to have a healthy relationship with yourself.

 

Final thoughts

It does not matter if you won or lost, it only matters that you tried. Remember, at the end of your life, you will regret the chances you didn't take. Don't let the fear of failure hold you back and give the present moment all you have.

Author bio: Amrapali is a digital marketing consultant who blogs about business and marketing at Bazaar Expert. She is interested in the psychology behind productivity and motivation and applying them to everyday life.