Scared to Fail?

There is this hidden myth that many people believe and dwell in it. It is: I am scared to fail. People would laugh at me. I would be nothing. I would be not good enough. Everything I have built would fall apart. I can’t fail. I can’t dare to fail. I can’t take such risks or I would create possibility to fail which I don’t want. And on and on.

When shaping your perspective around the fear of failure, you notice another side of this. It is our untapped potential. The possibility to grow, transform and break free. The opportunity to change human lives and make a difference in the world. The idea of causing disruption and shake the status quo. The chance to go on an adventure and explore your curiosity in a field of your interest.

Then when you look at your society and culture, you observe people like routine and familiarity. Majority stick to one idea and would rather remain in the comfortable bubble. The systems and structures that exist confirm to us the idea: Who are you to dare such a new project? Who are you to think you can go on your own and create something different? Who you think you are to challenge the system and do what you are supposed to do? No one is interested. Just stick to what you already know and keep doing the same thing and you will be ok and safe.

Being aware of such mental patterns reveal to you the truth behind the daily life scenarios. If you stretch your mind, just a little bit, you would look at your fear of failure and say: I am scared but I would do it anyway. I am fearful but I am also brave and bold to go after what I want. I am hesitant but I am also curios to know what is on the other side. And as Priyanka Chopra said: When you fail at something, it doesn’t mean you are a failure. It just means the thing you worked didn’t succeed and you can always go and do something else.

Finally, look at your failures as learning lessons. What did you learn from your failure? How did it contribute towards your personal and professional growth today? If you recognise and accept that your fear of failure exist, what would you do to confront it, challenge it and work with it instead of numbing it and suppressing?