“What would you do if you knew you could not fail?”
Many of us have dreams and goals we aspire to realize, but a crucial roadblock that can get in the way of us realizing them is ourselves. The fear of failure and self-doubt can hold us back from reaching our full potential and pursuing our goals. However, with the right mind-set and strategies, we can gradually reduce this fear and move toward a more fulfilling life.
So where does self-doubt and the fear of failure come from? Is it when the fear of the loss outweighs the potential gain? When we care too much about what others think if we fail? Or perhaps someone told us we didn’t have what it takes?
We have the power to remove this fear-based mind-set.
Recognize that most everyone, including the most successful individuals, experiences the fear of failure at some point. Understand that these feelings are a natural part of the human experience. By acknowledging your doubts and fears, you can start to address them.
Today, I will provide nine tips for how to overcome the fear of failure.
1. Focus on what you could gain over what you might lose
Loss aversion can be to blame for what holds people back from chasing their dreams. Many people have the tendency to avoid taking risks because the fear of loss dominates the desire to succeed. This may limit our willingness to take a risk, even if the action is the best decision for us and our future.
Understand that taking risks is a part of life, and not all risks will lead to failure. Weigh the potential rewards against the potential consequences and be willing to take well-thought-out chances.
A few other ways to avoid loss aversion:
Think about the adversity you have overcome in the past. Remember, regardless of the worst-case scenario, you are capable of recovering from more than you think.
Focus on what can go right and the best-case scenario.
Analyze previous setbacks objectively. Identify what went wrong and what you could have done differently. This reflection can provide valuable insights for future decisions.
2. Foster a supportive inner dialogue
The inner dialogue we have with ourselves can either encourage and motivate us or inadvertently sabotage the dreams we have for our future. If you doubt yourself, reframe your thoughts to ones that are more supportive.
For example, let’s say you have a discouraging thought such as, “I will never achieve my dream job because I don’t have the skills and experience to get there.”
A reframed and supportive thought might be: “I may not possess the skills right now, but I have the determination to learn the acquired skills and knowledge to get there.
Identify the limiting beliefs that may be hindering you from achieving your goals. How can you reframe these thoughts to ones that are more empowering and uplifting?
3. Passionately believe in yourself
Your beliefs play a critical role in determining whether or not you achieve your goals. They can either encourage and motivate you or be the roadblock that stands in your way. If you don’t believe in yourself, you won't put in your best effort to see things through.
People who believe in themselves are more likely to preserve and find solutions to obstacles.
If you want to become the master of your destiny, you must develop a mental state that supports self-belief and the outcomes you are trying to achieve.
To increase self-belief, visualize the future success you want to achieve. See it coming to life and believe it is meant for you.
4. Gain a new skill or experience
Belief and the will to persevere will only take you so far. Self-development is another way to increase your chances of success.
Learning a new skill, attending a professional development course, or taking on a development assignment can expand your toolbox of knowledge and create a sustained boost of confidence.
Perhaps you have a goal to open a particular business, but your lack of business experience is holding you back. Expanding your skill set could be a wise investment in your future.
Determine what skills and experiences are needed to increase your readiness, confidence, and skill set. Then create an action plan with 1-3 steps that will help close your gaps and move you closer to attaining your goal.
5. Follow and trust your inner compass
Our inner compass, also known as our gut feeling or intuition, is the inner guidance that can help us make judgment calls and is in sync with what’s best for our highest good, purpose, and path.
Seeking advice from trusted friends, family members, and mentors can provide an outside perspective on what may be preventing us from growing to our full potential. And many times, that feedback can be very valuable. In addition, your inner compass is the only tool on this planet that knows your true destiny, and it lies within.
One of my dreams was to move from a business role to Human Resources because I was passionate about coaching my team and wanted to utilize these skills on a broader scale. A few people shared that I wouldn't be able to make the move. Did I feel like giving up at the time? Yes. But did I? No. There was a calling within to move into my dream job, and I worked hard to understand the job requirements, articulate my relevant skills and experiences, and close any skill gaps to increase my readiness. This all led me to my dream job, which gave me experience to be where I am today.
So, follow your inner compass; it knows the way.
6. Celebrate what makes you unique
The qualities that may have made you doubt yourself at one point in your life or another can be what makes you unique, and in many cases they are your biggest strengths! Claim these gifts and leverage them as fuel by putting them into practice.
When I was in elementary school, my dream was to be a guardian angel when I grew up. In a way, I still have the call to fulfill this dream today. Although it shows up differently than I had imagined back then, I still feel called to serve others in my daily life through nudges and tugs within my heart.
Take time to reflect on your strengths, characteristics, and the things that make you, you. Think about which qualities stand out most. Some of these qualities may have even made you feel like an outsider or different growing up.
Celebrate and embrace the differences that make you unique. Be who you are destined to be!
7. Stay the course
Life is a journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected setbacks. When pursuing our goals, setbacks are almost inevitable. They can be frustrating, demotivating, and even disheartening. However, it’s crucial to remember that setbacks are a natural part of any journey to realizing your dreams.
One way to stay the course is to know your course. Break larger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. This allows you to celebrate small wins along the way and maintain a sense of progress, even when you face setbacks.
If you start doubting yourself, lose motivation, or want to quit, remember why you started in the first place. Let your “why” be the engine that moves you forward.
8. Practice self-love
Self-love is at the heart of your belief system. To remove the fear of failure, truly be confident, and feel worthy, you must love yourself first.
With self-love, not only can we see our greatest potential, we also know we are worthy of achieving it. It requires self-reflection, inner work, and slowly removing old beliefs and stories we may tell ourselves that prevent us from realizing self-love.
Set the intention to embrace and love your strengths, faults, and imperfections right now! These are the things that make you unique!
See my Self-Love tools for assistance: Self-Love Journal, How to Love Yourself: 12 Ways to Increase Self-Love, and Self-Love Checklist: 50 Ways to Practice Self-Love.
9. A gateway to success
Failure isn’t defeat; it’s an integral part of our journey toward ultimate success.
When you think you have failed, here are some tips to help you see how failure and setbacks can result in a more meaningful form of success:
You learned a lesson through the experience that brought you valuable insight to propel you into your future best self.
An opportunity to build reliance, tenacity, and unwavering determination has come to light.
Failure can be part of the ultimate plan and journey you need to go through to get where you are meant to be.
It forces us to adapt, innovate, and seek unconventional solutions, often leading to breakthroughs.
Are you ready?
It’s time to power through the fear of failure over living with regrets of not trying!
Start believing in yourself and your potential. And don’t let anything or anyone, including you, tell you that you are not worthy.
Now, go live with conviction in your heart and believe that your purpose and dreams are meant for you—envision them coming to life and seeing them as yours.
Embrace your authenticity, uniqueness, and gifts because the world needs you!
And remember to enjoy the journey along the way.
Alissa Janey has spent over 20 years in corporate business and Human Resources roles and has experience leading initiatives for Fortune 500 companies focused on coaching, training & development, strategy, and change management. In her profession, Alissa developed coaching tools, resources, and websites to help thousands of individuals around the US and has won numerous awards for her work. Alissa is a certified change leader and facilitator.
Visit ElevateRadiate.com to learn more about Alissa’s background and receive her free Living Intentional Planning Guide and other tools, resources, and articles.
Follow Alissa on social media to receive weekly inspirational messages at Elevate Radiate by Alissa Janey.
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