When faced with something new, something ‘unknown’ or a new opportunity, it’s natural to feel anxious or even scared.
I know I do!
I’m prone to anxiety. I can really get caught up in worries about a new opportunity, thoughts of ‘what if’s’ and ‘how to’s’, and just general catastrophising.
I can’t tell you the number of times the fear of failure has caused havoc in my life. The fear of failure has stopped me from taking on an awesome opportunity, trying something new, or stepping out of my comfort zone.
Fight or flight
This is what psychiatrists call the fight or flight response;
The fight-or-flight response, also known as the acute stress response, refers to a physiological reaction that occurs in the presence of something that is terrifying, either mentally or physically. The response is triggered by the release of hormones that prepare your body to either stay and deal with a threat or to run away to safety.
Psychology.about.com
The most successful people in the world will tell you that at some point in their lives they thought they were going to fail and that they may even have been afraid of failure. They will also tell you that it took persistence, hard work, failure, and perhaps a dash of courage and stubbornness to get them to where they are today.
Stepping outside of your comfort zone will always feel a little scary, but as you tackle your fears and anxiety, you will realise that you are so much braver and stronger than you thought!
It’s been a challenge, but slowly and surely I’m facing my fear of failure head on:
- I became an IT project manager with no experience or training
- I backpacked around Europe and the UK, partly by myself – it was challenging , exhilarating and terrifying and didn’t go nowhere like I had planned
- I left my successful career as a project manager a few years ago (in my 30’s) to embark on a new career and to start my own business
- I married my husband after finally overcoming my fear of failing in relationships. 5 years of marriage and a total of 16 years together later, we’re still going strong 🙂
- Changing careers was hard so I took a job in a cafe to help me get through. Some would classify this as a step back but I classify it as a step in the right direction
- I’ve stepped up and shared my story to small and large crowds of people, including men, office workers, teenagers and Rotary groups
- I co-authored a book, which I classify as one of my failures as it wasn’t the best of experiences albeit it taught me a lot about book publishing and the pitfalls
- I recently accepted permanency and a promotion with the place I’m currently working… honestly I’m dealing with good old imposter syndrome. I mean I know I can do it … so that’s the old thought patterns cropping up again, and something I am working through.
Conquering Your Fear of Failure
Conquering your fear of failure doesn’t happen overnight but it can be done. Yes, I still get anxious however these days I don’t let it hold me back.
So now it’s over to you?
Think of something you are afraid of failing at?
Imagine yourself overcoming your fear.
Visualise yourself doing it and tune into your senses.
- What do you see?
- What are you doing?
- How does success taste?
- What does it feel like?
- What are people saying about you? What are you saying?
- What are you thinking?
- And what else can you do?
Now take that visualisation and use it to make a decision about your next step.
- What can you do to move yourself one step in that direction?
Once you have determined WHAT that is, it’s time to take action!
One thing to note is I’m feeling really uneasy about something, I tune into my mind and my gut because sometimes you have to listen to your instincts as whatever you are faced with might not be right for you and vice versa.
And remember;
Anyone who has ever achieved greatness – big or small – has gone through a struggle, pain or hardship. The reason they are a success is because they pushed through and came out the other side on top!
Oh and remember to breathe…breathing is a really good thing!
