The Fear of Failure or the Feeling of Regret- Pick One

Photo by Osama Madlom on Unsplash

“If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry.” — Dalai Lama

Fear of failure is keeping us from succeeding.

Humans often think short-term, where the fear of failure can be a safe haven for the present. However, this also means not taking actions that make for memorable stories. Avoiding what scares us today may lead to certain regret when looking back.

What’s more daunting? The prospect of your future self harboring regret for not having attempted, or confronting the possibility of failure in the present?

The Short-Term Benefits of Fearing Failure (and Not Acting)

Fearing failure is self-preservation. Something bad may happen if you act ambitiously. So you become content with the status quo. Nothing of significance really happens with the status quo.

The Long-Term Consequences of Fearing Failure (Regret)

In her book “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying,” Bronnie Ware reveals that the most common regret is not living authentically. People yearn to think unconventionally, yet often suppress this desire due to the fear of failure.

5 Ways to Begin Fearing Failure a Little Less:

1. Reframe Failure: View failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback. Every failure provides valuable lessons that can lead to future success.
2. Set Realistic Goals: Break larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Achieving these smaller tasks can build confidence and reduce the fear of failure.
3. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, and it’s important to treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a
4. Visualize Success: Spend time imagining yourself achieving your goals. Visualization can help reduce anxiety and increase confidence.
5. Take Small Risks: Gradually expose yourself to situations where you risk failing. Start with low-stakes tasks to build resilience and confidence in handling failures.

By adopting these strategies, you can slowly overcome the fear of failure and face challenges with a positive and resilient attitude. You can do it!