4 Strategies for Overcoming Fear of Failure

We have to overcome our Fear of Failure because it’s a key part of our learning strategy. 

In fact, you learn more from making mistakes than from doing things right.

The Fear of Making Mistakes

What keeps many of us from getting over this fear of making mistakes its this perceived pressure from outside. Maybe you yourself don’t think it’s such a big deal, its that worry that others will say or think.

It could be pressure from outside that makes you unable to take any risks. If so, it might help to realise that no one is really judging you. Most people are so wrapped up in their own lives and businesses that they don’t even notice.

In fact, those who support you will more likely be impressed to see you taking a risk, even if you don’t succeed. Because you tried as the saying goes,” it’s better to try and fail than to never try at all.

Here are some ideas on how to overcome your fear of making mistakes so that you can keep growing and take action.

The Worse Case

Many people find it helpful to think about the worst that could happen if they try something and fail. This helps to take away the fear because you realize the worst-case scenario is not so bad after all. 

• Will you wreck your business? 
• How much money will you lose? 
• Will there be permanent damage that can’t be undone?

Once you consider the worst that could happen, now visualise the best that could actually happen.

• You’ll grow your business
• You’ll earn more money
• You can quit your 9-to-5 job and work full time for yourself

Often by comparing these too, we can see that the potential reward far outweighs the risk.

Banish Your Inner Critic

Your inner critic is the voice inside your head that shoots you down before you even get started

When setting goals, we all want to be realistic. And that inner critic goes beyond being “realistic” and simply stops you from doing anything . When you’re about to take a risk or try something new, this voice stops you by focusing on mistakes you could make.

You can silence your inner critic by identifying it and calling it out. Learn to recognise when you’re not being realistic but being self-defeating.

 Once you know this is happening, (self awareness is key) you can remember that succeed or fail, you’ll learn something valuable, in other words it’s either you win or you learn!

Embrace Your Mistakes

It may be helpful to realise that you are definitely going to make mistakes it’s a part of life and it’s inevitable. And when you do that you will welcome mistakes.

This is an essential part of growing and you will learn from it. People who seem brave don’t have any more courage than the rest of us. 

They are afraid but take action anyway. They do it scared! 

Speak Positive Words

The language you use is very important in forming how you think about what you do. Learn to rephrase things using positive phrases rather than negative, and it will change your attitude as well.

For example, you just launched a product that didn’t sell because you didn’t do your targeting well. Instead of saying you didn’t do it right, say, “I need to work more on my targeting next time.” You’re focused on how you can improve rather than how you made a mistake.

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