The fear of failure is a valid and debilitating feeling. For some, starting a task becomes impossible because of the overwhelming fear that failure is possible. However, beating the fear of failure and feeling confident is possible, and you are capable of achieving it!
Why are we afraid to fail?
While each person’s concerns and backgrounds are different, some common reasons affect self-esteem, confidence, and self-worth, contributing to the fear of failure. Understanding the factors that contribute to the fear of failure will help to beat it and boost self-esteem.
1. The need for validation
Some children are raised with conditional love, and praise bestowed only when they are successful or earn achievements. As adults, they will only feel self-worth when they are succeeding in their endeavors.
2. Perfectionistic tendencies
Perfectionism, like fear of failure, has a variety of causes. But, whatever the reason for it, perfectionism is a person’s tendency to hold themselves to an unattainably high standard.
3. Linking failures to personal identity
For some people, their failures are linked with their self-worth and identities. Regardless of the effort, time, and successes along the way, some people link the resulting failure to their self-identity.
4. Low self-esteem and self-worth
Having a lack of confidence in the choices made can also contribute to a fear of failure. Thinking “I knew I couldn’t do it” leads to anticipating failure and hesitating to act to prevent negative feelings associated with failure.
How to Boost Self-Esteem, Build Confidence, and Beat the Fear of Failure
Admittedly, the fear of failure is a difficult one to overcome. However, that doesn’t mean it is impossible, and it is 100% worth working towards overcoming.
Here are 6 steps you can take to beat the fear and turn it into success and great possibilities:
1. Identify the source
Learning the root cause of your fear will help you to get ahead of it. Becoming self-aware can give you the tools you need to boost your confidence.
For example, if you know your fear of failure stems from the need for validation, become your own cheerleader! Hype yourself up and promise yourself a reward you earn just for finishing the project, regardless of its success or failure.
2. Restructure your goals
Rather than building up your goals into massive, challenging projects, start by making each small, attainable step towards meeting that goal into its own achievement.
You can also start thinking of success or failure in a different light. For example, success can be found in the effort you put in or what you learned from working towards your goal.
3. Recognize the excuses
To overcome your fear and the excuses that go along with it you need to face your excuses, recognize the challenges, face the limiting beliefs behind them and create an open path to success. In the real world, excuses get you nowhere. Hard work and execution do.
4. Surround yourself with successful people
Who you spend time with is who you want to become. If you want to become successful, it is important that you surround yourself with the right crowd who inspire your courage, support your ambitions, and push you to achieve your goals.
5. Visualize “failure”
Think of what failure means to you and what the outcomes will realistically be. If the worst-case scenario comes true, will the world end? Or, will you have to go back to the drawing board and try again?
6. Failure is an opportunity
Failure is inevitable. However, failure is also an opportunity to learn. Learning from mistakes and bad decisions is what helps us grow as humans. Your self-esteem and self-worth will grow as you become more confident in your actions.
The Bottom Line
Learning about yourself and why you fear failure can help you work towards feeling confident in yourself. Doing this will ultimately help you build confidence, boost your self-esteem, and remove your fear of failure.