Fear of Failure
Have You Ever Suffered From Fear of Failure?
I’m sure you have. I know I have. So what exactly is fear of failure? Good Question.
Wikipedia defines “fear of failure” as a type of specific phobia. As with many phobias that often lead to a constricted lifestyle, and is particularly devastating for its effects on a person’s willingness to attempt certain activities.
I recently read an article by Guy Winch, Ph.D. from “The Squeaky Wheel, 10 Signs That You Might Have Fear of Failure”
In this article he states “Everyone hates to fail, but for some people, failing presents such a significant psychological threat their motivation to avoid failure exceeds their motivation to succeed.”
This fear of failure causes them to unconsciously sabotage their chances of success, in a variety of ways. People who have a fear of failure are motivated to avoid failing not because they cannot manage the basic emotions of disappointment, anger, and frustration that accompany such experiences, but because failing also makes them feel deep shame.”
10 Signs You Might Have a Fear of Failure
The following are not official diagnostics — but if you feel that these criteria are very characteristic of you (very being an important distinguishing marker, since as we all feel these things to some extent), you might want to examine the issue further, either by doing more reading about it or talking to a mental health professional.
1. Failing makes you worry about what other people think about you.
2. Failing makes you worry about your ability to pursue the future you desire.
3. Failing makes you worry that people will lose interest in you.
4. Failing makes you worry about how smart or capable you are.
5. Failing makes you worry about disappointing people whose opinion you value.
6. You tend to tell people beforehand that you don’t expect to succeed in order to lower their expectations.
7. Once you fail at something, you have trouble imagining what you could have done differently to succeed.
8. You often get last-minute headaches, stomach aches, or other physical symptoms that prevent you from completing your preparation.
9. You often get distracted by tasks that prevent you from completing your preparation which, in hindsight, were not as urgent as they seemed at the time.
10. You tend to procrastinate and “run out of time” to complete you preparation adequately.
What to Do When You Have a Fear of Failure?
The primary problem with addressing a fear of failure is that it tends to operate on an unconscious level. But there are two important things you can do to conquer the ways a fear of failure can influence your behavior:
1. Own the fear. It is OK to admit the fear or pain. If you want to be successful you must step out of your comfort zone. If you are not prepared to step out of your comfort zone and share with your readers your experience there is ONLY one thing they will say … NEXT and they will move on to someone they are willing to work with, that they know, like and trust.
2. Focus on aspects in your control. Identify aspects of the tasks; break the tasks down into manageable steps. Brainstorm ways to reframe task that seem. Set goals of expanding your network by going through your address book, facebook and social media contacts, and reaching out to everyone you know who might help — even if they are not in your field, they might know someone who is.
When I sit down to write my stories I wonder if I am sharing the right tips or information, things that will inspire my readers to dig up their buried dreams and cast their thought aside, share with others like I am doing here with you.
Yes, there was a time when I was scared of failing, but I realized life goes on and I if I don’t fail I am not learning from those experiences. Fear is a fact of well-lived life.
“Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. … “Failing forward” is the ability to get back up after you’ve been knocked down.” ~John C. Maxwell
Network Marketing is my business … Blogging is my Voice.
