As a professional coach, fear of failure is one of the biggest obstacles to overcome.
Having experienced it personally and on many levels, I understand the fear wrapped around never meeting our personal expectations, perceived expectations of others, and/or the unrealistic expectations that our work environment provides. In our mind, we come to tell ourselves we are failures. We will never get it right.
Guess what? Your unconscious mind always wants you to have what it is you want. When you tell yourself you are a failure you keep receiving lessons so you can keep having those thoughts and proving how right you are.
In other words, your thoughts become your destiny.
I was talking to a friend of mine this morning about this very topic. It amazes me how people talk about all the changes they would like to see in their business, life, relationships, finances, I could go on. And yet, this time next year, they are in the same position, getting the same results, with the very same mindset.
Why is that? One of the biggest reasons is the fear of failure. I’ve witnessed firsthand how the fear of failure can paralyze even the most ambitious and talented individuals. This real fear can prevent entrepreneurs and business owners from taking the necessary steps to achieve their full potential. Today, I want to share insights on overcoming the fear of failure and transforming it into a catalyst for growth and success.
Understanding Fear of Failure
Fear of failure is an intense worry about the possibility of not meeting expectations or achieving goals. It can manifest in various ways, such as procrastination, perfectionism, or an aversion to taking risks. This fear often stems from a desire to avoid the negative emotions associated with failure, such as embarrassment, shame, or disappointment. (That’s a lot of information right there and future blogs will address them.) For now, just know that by the very nature of reading this, you have an awareness and now you get to decide if you want to address fear of failure, or not. You know what I say, “Choice is a powerful thing, suffering is always optional.”
The Impact on Business Growth
In the business world, fear of failure can be particularly crippling. It can hinder decision-making, stifle innovation, and lead to missed opportunities. When you let fear dictate your actions, you may find yourself stuck in a comfort zone. There has never been a successful person who has stayed in their comfort zone and been successful. It is not going to happen. All growth happens outside of the comfort zone. The first advice I received when I started You Empowered Services was: get comfortable being uncomfortable.
Thomas Edison nailed it, “I have not failed 10,000 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 10,000 ways will not work, I will find the way that will work.”
Failure is only feedback. Read that again. And again.
Imagine the possibilities of learning from perceived failures. I know of several entrepreneurs who are constantly starting new businesses because the last one failed. If they do not learn the lessons within the failure, they are doomed to repeat it over and over again. It is what the brain knows.
Recognizing the Signs
Identifying the signs of fear of failure is crucial for addressing it. Some common indicators include:
Avoidance: Steering clear of new challenges or opportunities to prevent potential failure.
Over-preparation: Spending excessive time preparing to ensure every detail is perfect, often leading to inaction.
Self-sabotage: Engaging in behaviors that undermine your success to avoid the risk of failing. This is a sneaky one because we might not recognize it.
Negative Self-talk: The things we say to ourselves we would not even say to our worst enemy! What you feed grows and when we constantly feed ourselves negative self-talk, we continually invite it into our life.
Strategies for Overcoming Fear of Failure
- Embrace a Growth Mindset: Give yourself permission to embrace and understand that failure is a natural part of the learning process. Shift your perspective from fearing failure to viewing it as an opportunity for growth and development. I wish I understood this on this level when I was an educator and as a young mom.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Break down your goals into smaller, achievable steps. Celebrate as you reach those small goals, knowing you are one step closer to the business and life you desire.
- Redefine Failure: Reframe your definition of failure. Instead of seeing it as a negative outcome, consider it a valuable learning experience that brings you closer to success. See it as feedback. I stress this over and over because it is key.
- Visualize Success: We store in pictures. Use visualization to imagine yourself succeeding. This can build confidence and reduce anxiety about potential failure and allow your brain to help you create it.
- Seek Support: Surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors, peers, or a coach. You can only see what is right in front of you. That is the way we are wired. It is important to have trained professionals that can expose blind spots and different perspectives which then allows your brain to seek different possibilities.
- Take Action: The best way to overcome fear is to confront it head-on. Take small, calculated risks to build your confidence and gradually increase your comfort with taking larger steps.
The Role of Personal Development
Personal development is integral to overcoming the fear of failure. As a Performance Coach, I emphasize the importance of continuous self-improvement and resilience-building. By investing in your personal growth, you develop the skills and mindset needed to face challenges with confidence and see them solely as opportunities. You Empowered Services offers training in neuro-linguistic programming, professional performance coaching, and masterminds, all designed to give you tools to level up your success.
Remember, you cannot create a different tomorrow the with the brain that creates your today.
Final Thoughts
Fear of failure is a common obstacle that many entrepreneurs and business owners face, and it doesn’t have to define your journey. You get to choose it to, or not. By embracing a growth mindset, setting realistic goals, and seeking support, you can transform your fear into a driving force for success. Remember, failure is not the end—it’s merely a stepping stone on the path to achieving your goals.
If you find yourself struggling with the fear of failure, consider reaching out. As a performance coach and success trainer, I am here to help you navigate these challenges and unlock your potential. Together, we can turn your fear into fuel for growth and propel you toward the success you deserve.
For those looking to delve deeper into this topic or seeking personalized guidance, feel free to connect with me. Let’s explore the possibilities together and turn your fear of failure into a powerful tool for success.
Always forward,
Derlene
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