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Why My Biggest Fear is Failure

Categories: Failure Fear Fear of Failure

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Published: Sep 1, 2020

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Works Cited

Brown, B. (2010). The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. Hazelden Publishing.
Duckworth, A. L. (2016). Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Scribner.
Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of personality and social psychology, 92(6), 1087.
Freud, S. (1930). Civilization and its Discontents. Hogarth Press.
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer Publishing Company.
Pintrich, P. R., & Schunk, D. H. (2002). Motivation in Education: Theory, Research, and Applications (2nd ed.). Prentice Hall.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.
Seligman, M. E. (2011). Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being. Atria Books.
Sweeny, K., & Duckworth, A. L. (2019). Failure as Fuel: A Self-Regulatory Approach. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 13(11), e12508.
Tice, D. M., & Bratslavsky, E. (2000). Giving in to feel good: The place of emotion regulation in the context of general self-control. Psychological Inquiry, 11(3), 149-159.

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How to Overcome Your Fear of Failure

Susan Peppercorn

Think about what may happen if you do nothing.

People are quick to blame themselves for failure. But not doing something because you’re afraid to get started isn’t going to help you grow. Here are four strategies to help you get over the hump. Start by redefining what failure means to you. If you define failure as the discrepancy between what you hope to achieve (such as getting a job offer) and what you might achieve (learning from the experience), you can focus on what you learned, which helps you recalibrate for future challenges. It’s also important to set approach goals instead of avoidance goals: focus on what you want to achieve rather than what you want to avoid. Creating a “fear list” can also help. This is a list of what may not happen as a result of your fear — the cost of inaction. And finally, focus on learning. The chips aren’t always going to fall where you want them to — but if you expect that reality going into an event, you can be prepared to wring the most value out of whatever outcome.

A client (who I’ll call “Alex”) asked me to help him prepare to interview for a CEO role with a start-up. It was the first time he had interviewed for the C-level, and when we met, he was visibly agitated. I asked what was wrong, and he explained that he felt “paralyzed” by his fear of failing at the high-stakes meeting.

Susan Peppercorn is an executive career transition coach and speaker. She is the author of Ditch Your Inner Critic at Work: Evidence-Based Strategies to Thrive in Your Career. Numerous publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, the Boston Globe, and SELF Magazine have tapped her for career advice. You can download her free Career Fit Self-Assessment and 25 Steps to a Successful Career Transition .

How to Deal With the Fear of Failure

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Rachel Goldman, PhD FTOS, is a licensed psychologist, clinical assistant professor, speaker, wellness expert specializing in eating behaviors, stress management, and health behavior change.

Verywell / Jiaqi Zhou

Characteristics of the Fear of Failure

Identifying

Causes of the Fear of Failure

Treatment for fear of failure, coping with fear of failure.

The fear of failure, also known as atychiphobia , is an irrational and persistent fear of failing. This fear can stem from a number of sources. Sometimes it might emerge in response to a specific situation. In other cases, it might be related to another mental health condition such as anxiety or depression .

The fear of failure may also be related to being a perfectionist . Because perfectionists have such high expectations for how they expect things to turn out, they may experience a nagging fear that they won't live up to those often unrealistically high standards.

This article discusses the signs of a fear of failure and what causes this fear. It also explores treatments that can help and how to prevent this fear from holding you back.

Get Help Now

We've tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

A fear of failure can produce emotional and behavioral symptoms. Some of the common signs of this fear include:

Feeling a loss of control
Helplessness
Powerlessness

In addition to emotional and behavioral symptoms, people with a fear of failure may also experience physical symptoms including rapid heart rate, chest tightness, trembling, dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating, and digestive problems.

Identifying the Fear of Failure

The fear of failure may affect people in a variety of ways, which means that it's not always easy to identify. Some of the ways that people may experience the fear of failure include:

Believing that you don't have the skills or knowledge to achieve something
Feeling like you won't be able to achieve your goals
Procrastinating to the point that it affects your performance or ability to finish on time
Telling people that you will probably fail so that expectations remain low
Underestimating your own abilities to avoid feeling let down
Worrying that imperfections or shortcomings will make other people think less of you
Worrying that you will disappoint others if you fail

In some cases, the fear of failure may cause people to avoid trying altogether. Because they are so afraid that they will try and not succeed, they simply decide not to try at all in order to prevent potential pain, embarrassment, or disappointment.

Atychiphobia

While fear of failure is not listed as a distinct condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) , it is possible that you might be diagnosed with a specific phobia if your symptoms meet certain diagnostic criteria. In order to be diagnosed with a specific phobia, your symptoms must:

Involve excessive and unreasonable fear
Involve an immediate anxiety response
Be marked by avoidance or extreme distress
Limit your ability to function normally
Last as least six months and not be due to another condition

A fear of failure can have a wide variety of causes. Some potential causes include:

Critical Upbringing

People who grow up in households that are highly critical or unsupportive may be more likely to experience a fear of failure. Because they felt that they could never live up to their family's expectations during childhood, they may continue to fear making mistakes as adults.

Definitions of Failure

People often have different definitions of what failure means. For some people, it means not achieving something exactly as they planned. This can create a set of expectations that is very difficult to live up to.

Anxiety is also influenced by genetic factors. If members of your family also have anxiety conditions, you might be more likely to develop fears and anxieties yourself.

Perfectionism

Fear of failure sometimes stems from perfectionism. When people have extremely high standards, it often seems like nothing lives up to their expectations. This includes their own performance and achievements. Because they fear not reaching the high standards they've set, they may experience an intense fear of failing.

People who experienced a difficult or even traumatic failure may also be very afraid of repeating that experience in the future.

Having a panic attack during a presentation or being ridiculed for your performance, for example, could contribute to feelings of fear. Negative consequences resulting from failure, such as losing a job or not getting into a college, can also be risk factors that contribute to the fear of failure.

While everyone may be afraid of failing from time to time, it becomes more serious when it inhibits your ability to pursue your goals and achieve the things you want to accomplish in life.

Impact of the Fear of Failure

A fear of failure can take a toll on a person’s belief in their abilities and their motivation to pursue their goals.

Low self-esteem : People who fear failure may also engage in negative self-talk or have low self-confidence that makes it difficult to pursue goals.
Poor motivation : When people fear failure, they may also experience a lack of motivation that makes it difficult to get started on projects and work toward goals. When something seems too challenging or involves learning new skills, people may simply give up or refuse to get involved.
Self-sabotage : It isn't uncommon for people who fear failure to engage in acts of self-handicapping that undermine their own chances of success. Research has found, for example, that students who fear failing often engage in self-handicapping behaviors that actually limit academic success and perpetuate failure.
Shame : The fear of failure often stems from a fear of experiencing shame or embarrassment. Failing can trigger feelings worthlessness , so avoiding trying in the first place can sometimes serve as a way to protect the self from disappointment, regret, and sadness.

Treatment for the fear of failure depends on a variety of factors including how you experience this fear and the impact that it has on your life. In many cases, people can use self-help strategies to cope with these feelings.

If your fear of failure is impeding your ability to function normally, it is important to talk to a professional. Treatment options for a fear of failure might include:

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can help you address the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that contribute to a fear of failure. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that helps people identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to feelings of fear. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may also be helpful.

Medications

Medications may be prescribed to help you manage feelings of anxiety or depression that might be linked to your fear. Selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant that are commonly prescribed to treat mood conditions and anxiety. Anti-anxiety medications, such as Xanax (alprazolam) and Ativan (lorazepam), may also be prescribed.

In many cases, a combination of these two treatment options with lifestyle changes may be the most effective

There are also a number of strategies that you can use to help reduce feelings of fear about failure. Some of these include:

Consider the Outcomes

Sometimes thinking about the worst possible outcome—and then coming up with a plan for how you’ll deal with it—can help reduce anxiety when you are pursuing your goals.

Focus on the Things You Can Control

Instead of worrying about aspects of the situation that you have no power over, focus your energy on things that you can control.

When you are facing a challenge that might trigger your fear of failing, work on developing alternative plans just in case your initial efforts don’t go as planned. Having a plan B (or plan C) can help you feel less anxious and more secure.

Redefine Failure

Changing how you think about failure may also help reduce your feelings of fear. Failure is part of life and can be an important opportunity to learn and acquire new skills.

It can certainly be disappointing, but it is important to maintain a healthy perspective toward the potential benefits of failing from time to time. Remember that success is often reached through a series of progressive failures that lead to new information, skills, and strategies.

Use Positive Thinking

Avoid negative self-talk that can undermine your confidence and create feelings of anxiety. Instead, work on thinking more like an optimist to keep your motivation high.

Visualization May Backfire

While visualization is often touted as a tool for success, research actually shows that this motivational strategy can backfire with people who have a high fear of failure. One study found that people with a strong fear of failing experienced strong negative moods after they engaged in an activity that involved visualizing success.

A Word From Verywell

The fear of failure is something that everyone experiences from time to time, but this can become much more problematic when such feelings become persistent. Practice self-compassion and work on taking small steps toward building your confidence and managing your fears.

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , 5th ed . Washington, DC; 2013.

Meier SM, Deckert J. Genetics of anxiety disorders . Curr Psychiatry Rep . 2019;21(3):16. doi:10.1007/s11920-019-1002-7

Kelly JD 4th. Your best life: Perfectionism--the bane of happiness . Clin Orthop Relat Res . 2015;473(10):3108-11. doi:10.1007/s11999-015-4279-9

Bartels JM, Herman WE. Fear of failure, self-handicapping, and negative emotions in response to failure ; 2011.

Hjeltnes A, Binder PE, Moltu C, Dundas I. Facing the fear of failure: An explorative qualitative study of client experiences in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program for university students with academic evaluation anxiety . Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being . 2015;10:27990. doi:10.3402/qhw.v10.27990

Langens TA. Tantalizing fantasies: positive imagery induces negative mood in individuals high in fear of failure . Imagination, Cognition and Personality . 2002;21(4):281-292. doi:10.2190/HGH6-3RM6-2VCG-YCQH

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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Overcoming Fear of Failure

Facing your fear of moving forward.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

Have you ever been so afraid of failing at something that you decided not to try at all? Or has fear of failure meant that, subconsciously, you undermined your own efforts to avoid the possibility of a larger failure?

Many of us have probably experienced this at one time or another. The fear of failing can be immobilizing – it can cause us to do nothing, and therefore resist moving forward. But when we allow fear to stop our forward progress in life, we're likely to miss some great opportunities along the way.

In this article, we'll examine fear of failure: what it means, what causes it, and how to overcome it to enjoy true success in work, and in life.

What Causes the Fear of Failure?

To find the causes of fear of failure, we first need to understand what "failure" actually means.

We all have different definitions of failure, simply because we all have different benchmarks, values, and belief systems. A failure to one person might simply be a great learning experience for someone else.

Overcome your fear of failure and move forward to achieve your goals.

Many of us are afraid of failing, at least some of the time. But fear of failure (also called "atychiphobia") is when we allow that fear to stop us doing the things that can move us forward to achieve our goals.

Fear of failure can be linked to many causes. For instance, having unsupportive or critical parents is a cause for some people. Because they were routinely undermined or humiliated in childhood, they carry those negative feelings into adulthood.

Experiencing a traumatic event in your life can also be a cause. For example, say that several years ago you gave an important presentation in front of a large group, and did very poorly. The experience might have been so terrible that you became afraid of failing in other things. And you carry that fear even now, years later.

How You Experience Fear of Failure

You might experience some or all of the following symptoms if you have a fear of failure:

A reluctance to try new things or to get involved in challenging projects.
Self-sabotage – for example, procrastination, excessive anxiety , or a failure to follow through with goals.
Low self-esteem or self-confidence – commonly using negative statements such as "I'll never be good enough to get that promotion," or "I'm not smart enough to get on that team."
Perfectionism – A willingness to try only those things that you know you'll finish perfectly and successfully.

What Is The Definition of Failure?

It's almost impossible to go through life without experiencing some kind of failure. People who do so probably live so cautiously that they go nowhere. Put simply, they're not really living at all.

But, the wonderful thing about failure is that it's entirely up to us to decide how to look at it. We can choose to see failure as "the end of the world," or as proof of just how inadequate we are. Or, we can look at failure as the incredible learning experience that it often is.

Every time we fail at something, we can choose to look for the lesson we're meant to learn. These lessons are very important; they're how we grow, and how we keep from making that same mistake again. Failures stop us only if we let them.

It's easy to find successful people who have experienced failure. For example:

Michael Jordan is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. And yet, he was cut from his high school basketball team because his coach didn't think he had enough skill.
Warren Buffet, one of the world's richest and most successful businessmen, was rejected by Harvard University.
Richard Branson, owner of the Virgin empire, is a high-school dropout.

Most of us will stumble and fall in life. Doors will get slammed in our faces, and we might make some bad decisions. But imagine if Michael Jordan had given up on his dream to play basketball when he was cut from that team. Imagine if Richard Branson had listened to the people who told him he'd never do anything worthwhile without a high-school diploma.

Think of the opportunities you'll miss if you let your failures stop you. Failure can also teach us things about ourselves that we would never have learned otherwise. For instance, failure can help you discover how strong a person you are.

Failing at something can help you discover your truest friends, or help you find unexpected motivation to succeed. Often, valuable insights come only after a failure. Accepting and learning from those insights is key to succeeding in life.

How Not to Be Afraid of Failure

It's important to realize that in everything we do, there's always a chance that we'll fail. Facing that chance, and embracing it, is not only courageous – it also gives us a fuller, more rewarding life.

However, here are a few ways to reduce the fear of failing:

Analyze all potential outcomes – Many people experience fear of failure because they fear the unknown. Remove that fear by considering all of the potential outcomes of your decision. Our article Decision Trees will teach you how to map possible outcomes visually.
Learn to think more positively – Positive thinking is an incredibly powerful way to build self-confidence and neutralize self-sabotage. Our article Thought Awareness, Rational Thinking, and Positive Thinking is a comprehensive resource for learning how to change your thoughts.
Look at the worse-case scenario – In some cases, the worst-case scenario may be genuinely disastrous, and it may be perfectly rational to fear failure. In other cases, however, this worst case may actually not be that bad, and recognizing this can help.
Have a contingency plan – If you're afraid of failing at something, having a "Plan B" in place can help you feel more confident about moving forward.

How to Stop Living in Fear

If you are afraid of failure, you might be uncomfortable setting goals . But goals help us define where we want to go in life. Without goals, we have no sure destination.

Many experts recommend visualization as a powerful tool for goal setting. Imagining how life will be after you've reached your goal is a great motivator to keep you moving forward.

However, visualization might produce the opposite results in people who have a fear of failure. Research shows that people who have a fear of failure were often left in a strong negative mood after being asked to visualize goals and goal attainment.

So, what can you do instead?

Start by setting a few small goals . These should be goals that are slightly, but not overwhelmingly, challenging. Think of these goals as "early wins" that are designed to help boost your confidence.

For example, if you've been too afraid to talk to the new department head (who has the power to give you the promotion you want), then make that your first goal. Plan to stop by her office during the next week to introduce yourself.

Or, imagine that you've dreamed of returning to school to get your MBA, but you're convinced that you're not smart enough to be accepted into business school. Set a goal to talk with a school counselor or admissions officer to see what's required for admission.

Try to make your goals tiny steps on the route to much bigger goals. Don't focus on the end picture: getting the promotion, or graduating with an MBA. Just focus on the next step: introducing yourself to the department head, and talking to an admissions officer. That's it.

Taking one small step at a time will help build your confidence, keep you moving forward, and prevent you from getting overwhelmed with visions of your final goal.

Sometimes, being afraid of failure can be a symptom of a more serious mental health condition. Negative thinking can cause severe health problems and, in extreme cases, death. While the techniques in this article have been shown to have a positive effect on reducing stress, they are for guidance only.

Readers should take the advice of suitably qualified health professionals if they have any concerns over related illnesses or if negative thoughts are causing significant or persistent unhappiness. Health professionals should also be consulted before any major change in diet or levels of exercise.

Many of us are sometimes afraid of failing, but we mustn't let that fear stop us from moving forward.

Fear of failure can have several causes: from childhood events to mistakes we've made in our adult lives. It's important to realize that we always have a choice: we can choose to be afraid, or we can choose not to be.

Start by setting small goals that will help build your confidence. Learn how to explore and evaluate all possible outcomes rationally and develop contingency plans; and practice thinking positively. By moving forward slowly but steadily, you'll begin to overcome your fear.

Langens, T.A. (2002) 'Tantalizing Fantasies: Positive Imagery Induces Negative Mood in Individuals High in Fear of Failure,' Imagination Cognition and Personality , Issue 1, 2002.

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Go Ahead and Fail

Perfectionism can make you miserable. Here’s how you can muster the courage to mess up.

“ How to Build a Life ” is a weekly column by Arthur Brooks, tackling questions of meaning and happiness.

F or years, I was haunted by a fear of failure. I spent my early adulthood as a professional French hornist, playing in chamber-music ensembles and orchestras. Classical music is a perilous business, relying on absolute precision. Playing the French horn, prone as it is to missing notes, is a virtual high-wire act in every concert. I could go from hero to goat within a few mistakes during a solo. I lived in dread, and it made my life and work misery.

Fear of failure is not just a problem for French hornists. Looking bad in front of others is arguably the most common dread people face. This explains why, for example, researchers have found that public speaking is college students’ most common fear; some scholars have famously asserted that people fear it even more than death. And dread about failing doesn’t just afflict the young or inexperienced: According to a 2018 survey conducted by Norwest Venture Partners, 90 percent of CEOs “admit fear of failure keeps them up at night more than any other concern.”

This particular brand of anxiety appears to be on the rise. According to the World Bank , the percentage of American adults who see good opportunities to start a business but indicate that fear of failure would prevent them from doing so has been increasing for the past two decades. It is approaching the world median, in spite of the fact that the U.S. has long prided itself on being a land of intrepid entrepreneurs.

There are a few possible explanations for this increase. Social media threatens to make every slip-up an extinction-level event, socially and professionally. Meanwhile, a generation of overprotective Baby Boomer parents have shielded their Millennial and Gen Z kids from the small risks and failures that build the emotional fortitude required to withstand the inevitable, larger failures of adulthood.

From the May 2020 issue: What happened to American childhood?

To the extent that this trend extinguishes entrepreneurial behavior, it’s bad enough for our future. But I am less worried about the effect on start-up enterprises than on the enterprise of building happy lives. Fear of failure can have surprisingly harsh consequences for our well-being. For some, it can lead to debilitating anxiety and depression, a diagnosable malady called atychiphobia . But even before it reaches that point, it can steer us away from life’s joyful, fulfilling adventures, by discouraging us from taking risks and trying new things.

Want to stay current with Arthur's writing? Sign up to get an email every time a new column comes out.

T he fear of failure has a number of sources, not all of which are obvious. At first thought, it might seem like it is the dread of some known, bad outcome. For example, I might be afraid to give a presentation for my boss because if I fail, I won’t get a promotion, with clear implications for my career.

But the fear of failure seems to actually be about unknown outcomes, at least for those who are most anxious. In one recent study conducted at University College London, psychologists devised an experiment in which participants had to decide between a series of gambles with guaranteed rewards and a set of bets with potentially higher wins and losses. Based on this, they found that people who suffered from anxiety were the most unable to estimate the best probable reward, which is consistent with earlier research . The implication of this risk aversion is that if you are particularly anxious about failing, it’s the uncertainty about whether you will do so that bothers you more than the actual consequences.

Read: Fear can make you a better person

Researchers have also found that people who strongly fear failure have a composite of two personality characteristics: low achievement orientation (that is, they don’t take much pleasure from accomplishments and meeting goals) and high test anxiety (a fear of not performing well at a crucial moment). In other words, they’re motivated less by the possibility of winning and gaining something of value, and more by their anxiety about the possibility of messing up. Those are some of the same personality traits that drive perfectionism , and can show up in low achievers and high achievers alike.

In fact, perfectionism and the fear of failure go hand in hand: They lead you to believe that success isn’t about doing something good, but about not doing something bad. If you suffer from a fear of failure, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Where striving for success should be an exciting journey toward an amazing destination—as the climber George Mallory said, to ascend the mountain “because it’s there” —it feels instead like an exhausting slog, with all your energy focused on not tumbling over a cliff.

Read: The problem with being perfect

Surprisingly, people who fear failure do not need to extinguish the fear itself—to become more fearless—in order to make themselves happier. Instead, the best way to tame a fear of failure is to hone courage. Stanley Rachman, a psychologist, showed this in his research in the 1980s and then in the following decades on people in dangerous professions, such as paratroopers and bomb defusers. They too tended to fear failure—and messing up in such cases might be dire indeed. But they were able to tap into reserves of courage to act anyway. As Rachman argues, fearlessness is abnormal, and even dangerous, because it leads to foolish risk taking and bad leadership. Courage, on the other hand, helps you to balance prudence and resolve, even if the only thing you’re defusing is an office conflict.

T he good news is that all three of these drivers—an aversion to uncertainty, an attachment to the appearance of perfection, and a lack of courage—are qualities most of us would rather rid ourselves of. Facing the fear of failure is more than just dealing with a problem; it is an opportunity to grow in virtue. You can start this growth with three practices.

1. Focus on the present.

I once had a conversation with an oncologist about what it’s like to give people a dire, late-stage-cancer diagnosis. He said that some of his patients—people with a particular need to control tightly all parts of their lives—would immediately go home and start researching their prognosis on the internet. He would counsel them not to do this, because it would only make them sick with worry.

Instead, he told them, start each day with this mantra: “I do not know what will happen next week or next year. But I know I have the gift of this day, and I will not waste it.” He said it helped not just their outlook about the disease but also their overall approach to life. I recommend this same refrain to anyone suffering from a fear of failure. Own the unknown future through gratitude for the known present, and watch your happiness rise, as you enjoy what you have in front of you.

From the April 2004 issue: The case against perfection

2. Visualize courage.

Remember that one of the most common fears of failure involves public speaking. Even the thought of giving a speech in front of a group makes some people panic. The solution to this problem is simple: exposure. That doesn’t mean you need to haul a soapbox to your town square every day; just simulating a speech environment using virtual reality has been shown to lower people’s fear significantly.

Anyone can use this idea, even without strapping on a VR simulator, through simple concentrated imagination. Instead of avoiding the source of your fear even in your own mind, spend time each day visualizing scary scenarios, including possible failures. Picture yourself acting with courage, despite the fear. I did this extensively early in my teaching career, imagining everything from the prosaic (forgetting my notes) to the absurd (realizing after an hour-long lecture that my fly was unzipped the whole time—something that subsequently happened in real life). I soon found that I was, in fact, more courageous in front of the class as a result.

3. Litanize humility.

In Dante’s Divine Comedy , Satan is depicted as a victim of his terrible pride by being frozen from the waist down—fixed and in agony—in ice of his own making. Fear of failure and perfectionism are like that prideful sea of ice, freezing you in place with thoughts of what others will think of you—or, worse, what you will think of yourself—if you do not succeed at something.

There is a solution that follows Dante’s Catholic sensibility, but that in reality need not be religious at all. An early-20th-century Spanish cardinal, Rafael Merry del Val y Zulueta, composed a beautiful prayer called the “Litany of Humility.” The prayer does not ask that we be spared humiliation, but that we be given the grace to deal with the fear: “From the fear of being humiliated, / Deliver me, O Jesus.” It continues: Deliver me from the fear of being despised. From the fear of suffering rebukes. From the fear of being calumniated. From the fear of being forgotten. And from the fear of being ridiculed.

Make your own version of the litany of humility, religious or not, and recite it each night. Even if the items seem ridiculous to you (“From the fear of messing up my PowerPoint presentation, deliver me”), if you want relief, you have to state your desire. Only then will your fear cease to be a phantom menace and instead become concrete—and thus conquerable.

I f all of the above strategies seem too time consuming, there is one last, tried-and-true method to develop courage in the face of failure: fail. And then, survive what the dark unknown truly holds. That is what eventually cured me.

As I started by telling you, my music career was made miserable by my terror of mistakes. But at least my mouth was occupied with the instrument, so I didn’t have to speak publicly—that really freaked me out. Both those fears came together one fateful day at a chamber-music concert at Carnegie Hall in New York. I was slotted to give a short speech—maybe two minutes—about a piece my ensemble was to play. I stepped out of my chair and walked to the front of the stage, shaking in fear. Then I lost my footing, and literally fell into the audience. Decades later, I can still see it happening, in slow motion. As the audience gasped, I jumped up, my horn badly damaged and my arm injured, and shouted, ridiculously and implausibly, “I’m okay, folks!”

Read: Love is medicine for fear

Years later, I look back on that experience and laugh. But it wasn’t just funny—it was an incredible gift. Since scoring a perfect 10 in humiliation that day, I care very little about looking ridiculous. I take more risks and show my personality in ways I don’t think I would otherwise. Failure set me free.

How to Overcome Fear of Failure: Your Ultimate Guide

Ultimate guide to overcome fear of failure

Very few of us know how to fail well. Intellectually, we may know that we need a growth mindset in order to develop, and yet failure remains an experience that is often associated with shame and embarrassment.

Failure can also be socially stigmatized. How, then, can we overcome our fear of failure so that we can truly benefit from what failing has to teach us?

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free . These science-based exercises explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology, including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.

This Article Contains

What is fear of failure 3 examples, 15 common symptoms of fear of failure, 6 psychology theories about fear of failure, 2 fascinating research findings, how to overcome fear of failure, overcoming fear of failure at work, 3 activities for individuals and groups, 3 tests and assessment questionnaires, interesting books about fear of failure, resources from positivepsychology.com, a take-home message.

There are various reasons we may fear failure. Perhaps the most common is that our self-esteem tends to be tied to achievement and success.

When we fail at something — be that a project at work, a job interview, an exam, a competition — or if our relationship breaks down or our business goes under, our self-image suffers. We may feel worthless, and we may harshly castigate ourselves for our failure.

If we fail publicly, our failure plainly visible to others, we may also fear other people’s judgment and that our failure may have wider social repercussions. We may fear that our failure will impact or end our career, or else that it will permanently damage our reputation and status.

While it is understandable that we fear failure, this fear can also hold us back. It may prevent us from seeking new experiences, venturing into the unknown, or taking risks of any kind. It may lead to us staying in situations that do not make us happy and that are not conducive to long-term growth.

Fear of failure can cause procrastination, avoidance, and stagnation. In the form of pessimistic beliefs about our efficacy, agency, and chances of succeeding at what is important to us, it can adversely impact our wellbeing.

Is fear of failure a phobia?

Extreme fear of failure is called atychiphobia, and it severely affects the ability of sufferers to function well in daily life (Collins Dictionary, n.d.).

While atychiphobia is not a recognized medical diagnosis, we can think of it as a sub-form of anxiety disorder. It may be manifested in extreme avoidant behavior and very maladaptive procrastination.

It can be completely paralyzing and lead to affected clients being unable to function at their jobs or at home. It can also cause panic attacks and excessive ruminative anticipation of situations that trigger this fear response.

While this truly debilitating fear of failure is quite rare, a less pronounced and more subtle fear of failure is much more common. However, even in its less extreme form, fear of failure can have seriously adverse effects on wellbeing.

In terms of behaviors, fear of failure can lead to:

Procrastination

In terms of physical symptoms, a fear of failure can generate:

An increased heart rate
Faster, shallower breathing
Muscle tension

Emotionally speaking, fear of failure may manifest as:

Negative beliefs about our agency and efficacy
Helplessness
Hopelessness
Low self-esteem
Negative self-talk and negative affect, in particular shame and embarrassment

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We may not always be fully aware of our fear of failure, even when we experience its common core symptoms. But we can become more aware of what might be behind our fear of failure: our underlying beliefs, orientations, and past experiences that may have made us more failure averse.

What causes fear of failure?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, psychologists have established that fear of failure is strongly correlated with perfectionism (Conroy et al., 2007).

Fear of failure is also related to specific self-beliefs, especially to our self-esteem being linked to achievement and success.

It is also shaped by experiences, upbringing, and wider social values. Essentially, fear of failure is a fear of judgment, often the perceived external judgment by others, but also inner judgment of value passed internally, which impacts self-image and self-esteem.

Atkinson (1957) described fear of failure as a desire to avoid failure in situations that matter to us because we fear the shame that is associated with it.

Conroy et al. (2002) explain fear of failure as a multidimensional construct. More specifically, it is a threat that we may experience when we seek to achieve personally meaningful goals. Failure is associated with aversive consequences.

Conroy et al. (2002) identified five core beliefs about the consequence of failure, all of which are associated with threat appraisal and fear.

They include:

Fear of experiencing shame and embarrassment
Fear of devaluing one’s self-estimate
Fear of having an uncertain future
Fear of important others losing interest
Fear of upsetting important others

Fear of failure, perfectionism, and procrastination

Sagar and Stoeber (2009, p. 206) have shown that the “fear of experiencing shame and embarrassment is central in the relationship between perfectionism and fear of failure, and that perfectionistic concern about mistakes […] are aspects of perfectionism that predict fear of experiencing shame and embarrassment and negative affect after failure.” McGregor and Elliot (2005) have also established a link between shame and fear of failure.

Stoeber and Otto (2006) have shown that it is important to be more precise when we talk about perfectionism. They suggest we differentiate carefully between “perfectionistic strivings,” that is, our desire for excellence and care for high performance, which are often positive, and “perfectionistic concerns.”

Perfectionistic concerns are our evaluations of our performance, and these evaluations can have a negative impact on our self-esteem and future performance. It is evaluative perfectionist concerns that have negative associations and consequences, not our perfectionist striving as such. Perfectionist concerns are, for example, closely linked with fear of failure in athletes (Frost & Henderson, 1991; Stoeber & Becker, 2008).

Moreover, Conroy et al. (2007) have shown that socially prescribed perfectionism is particularly toxic for performance and wellbeing. Parental expectations and parental criticism, too, can play a significant role in fear of failure.

Finally, Abdi Zarrin et al. (2020) have found a strong correlation between students’ tendencies to procrastinate and their fear of failure. Procrastination can have a severely negative impact on academic achievement. Procrastination is both a consequence of and a symptom of fear of failure.

Fear of failure, motivation, and success

As Stoeber and Otto (2006) have shown, perfectionistic strivings can be highly motivating and lead to increased success, whereas perfectionist evaluations can lead to fear of failure and lack of taking action.

Fear of failure, in particular if we associate failure strongly with shame, embarrassment, negative self-image, judgment, and uncertainty about our future, can prevent us from taking action and risks. It can therefore stifle our motivation and severely impact our chances of succeeding in life.

Fear of failure and anxiety

As mentioned above, excessive and truly paralyzing fear of failure is known as atychiphobia and can be considered a subcategory of anxiety disorder, although it is not recognized as an official medical diagnosis.

Anxieties that are associated with fear of failure usually revolve around fear of punishment; judgment; adverse impact on our careers, status, and reputation; and fear of losing or disappointing important others (Conroy et al. 2002).

Crucially, it is their perceptions and interpretations that lead them to feel shame and embarrassment, not necessarily the objective quality of their performance as such. In other words, what counts as failure in their books may not be considered failure by other people.

Perfectionists often equate perfect performance with self-worth, whereas they see failure as a sign of being worthless (Tangney, 2002). This is obviously a highly problematic association. We may help clients who are prone to think like this to shift their focus from self-worth to self-acceptance and support them to develop more compassionate self-narratives that are not conditional on external success.

How, then, can the fear of failure be overcome? First, look at your mindset — your attitudes about failing. Reminding yourself that there is no growth without failure — no learning, no development, no new experiences — can help you see your aversion in a new light.

Cultivate what Carol Dweck (2017) has called a growth mindset , an openness to learning from failure in the service of overall development.

Second, start by gently building your failure muscle in a safe space. Try to learn a new skill or hobby — a sport, cooking, dancing, drawing, playing an instrument — and be kind to yourself in the learning process. Mindfully allow yourself to fail, to try again, to fail again but better, and try again, until you get somewhere.

Third, recall gritty successful people who failed a hundred, or maybe even a thousand times, before they got somewhere with their attempts. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, for example, is famous for having said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Fourth, watch how a toddler learns to walk. They do not study a “how to walk upright” manual. Instead, they learn by doing and, especially, by failing. They stand up, stumble, fall, stand up, stumble, fall, and stand up again, over and over again, until they learn to stand, then to walk, and then how to run.

Finally, simply start seeing your failures as teachers. Instead of indulging in self-recrimination and feeling sorry for yourself when you fail, ask yourself: What can I learn from this experience? What can I do better next time? What is the lesson here? And remember: While it is hard to fail, it is much worse never to have tried to succeed.

Excessive fear of failure at work can stifle experimentation, productivity, and creativity. It can impact your ability to find new pathways and venture into the unknown in search of new solutions to challenges. But attitudes to failure at work are a collective challenge.

To truly learn from failure at work, a culture change may be needed. Organizational cultures should support experimentation and be committed to continuous learning and growth. That includes looking at failure with openness and curiosity rather than punishing it.

The Japanese concept of “kaizen” — steady, incremental improvement — can be very helpful for implementing genuine learning cultures in organizations.

The good news is that fear of failure can be overcome. We can build our “failure muscle” gently and in safe spaces, alone or together.

1. Try something new

Learn a new skill as a group and have fun in the process. That might be ice skating, rock climbing, hip-hop dancing, a cooking class, or wood carving. When you mess up or fall on your back, try to laugh about it.

This will help you let go of unhelpful perfectionism and train your collective failure muscles. Give yourself permission to fail playfully.

2. Reflection sessions

Introduce regular failure-analysis sessions in your workplace. Learn to talk openly about what went wrong, but also what went well, and what you can learn from these experiences.

These sessions will help destigmatize failure in your organization and allow you to shift your mindset to one of learning. Follow the motto: “There is no failure, only feedback.”

3. Journal the lessons learned

Journal about your private failures. Keep a little diary in which you capture what your failures have taught you. Take seriously Samuel Beckett’s advice about “failing better.” How can you fail better next time?

It differentiates five aversive fears of failure:

The PFAI includes 25 items measuring beliefs associated with negative consequences of failure.

You can take the test online for free.

Here is another test, the Success Likelihood Test , to assess where you are on the fear of failure scale.

If you think your fear of failure is so severe that it might be atychiphobia, you might find the Failure Phobia test useful.

There are two classics about how to overcome fear of failure and work on your mindset, written by two acclaimed authors. In addition, we share a third book that advocates the destigmatization of failure.

1. Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfil Your Potential – Carol Dweck

We have a fixed mindset when we believe that our abilities, skills, and intelligence are fixed and cannot be changed. Conversely, we have a growth mindset when we believe we can develop and improve our abilities. We may grow and develop through hard work, perseverance, and of course by learning from our mistakes.

People with a growth mindset are much more likely to embrace challenges, persist through obstacles, and see failure as learning opportunities. Those with a fixed mindset, by contrast, may be more likely to give up when faced with challenges or setbacks and may see failure as a reflection of their own inherent limitations.

Find the book on Amazon .

2. Grit: Why Passion and Resilience are the Secrets to Success – Angela Duckworth

In this book, psychologist Angela Duckworth defines grit as the combination of passion and perseverance over time.

Grit, she argues, is a key predictor of success in any field. Crucially, it can be cultivated and developed through deliberate practice and effort — just like a growth mindset. Grit also entails learning from failure.

Duckworth suggests that having grit involves setting long-term goals and working toward them with sustained effort and resilience, even in the face of obstacles and setbacks.

She also emphasizes the importance of having a sense of purpose and passion for what we do, both of which are crucial for sustaining motivation and focus.

3. Black Box Thinking – Matthew Syed

Another outstanding book on learning from failure is Black Box Thinking , by journalist Matthew Syed.

Syed presents a compelling case for changing our collective attitudes to failure.

Advocating “black box thinking,” Syed invites us to cultivate a mindset that destigmatizes failure and instead seeks to harness its benefits.

If you’d like to find out more about this topic, you may find these articles on explanatory style, resilience, and overcoming perfectionism inspiring, too.

What Are Attributional and Explanatory Styles in Psychology?
How to Be Mentally Strong: 14 Ways to Build Mental Toughness
How to Overcome Perfectionism: 15 Worksheets & Resources

You may also enjoy this deep dive into Carol Dweck’s highly influential book on growth mindsets. It includes some important tips on how you can cultivate a growth mindset and overcome a fixed mindset:

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed + Key Takeaways From Dweck’s Book

Besides these great articles, the following worksheets can be used when helping your clients face their fears:

Graded Exposure Worksheet

Graded Exposure is a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy technique that is designed to help people confront and overcome their fears, including fear of failing.

When we are fearful of something, we may avoid it. While this avoidance may help in reducing fear in the short term, over the long term it can make the fear even worse.

Graded exposure involves creating a safe environment in which clients can become “exposed” to the things they fear and avoid.

Facing Up to Your Fears

This exercise can be done with a partner. Together, you can reflect on your fears openly and support each other in the process.

Understand Your Fears

This exercise helps you understand your fears more deeply, by breaking your fear into different components. It can also be applied to the fear of failure.

Other free tools you would find helpful are included in our CBT tools pack . Why not download the tools, and try out the exercises within? Some examples include:

Reframing Critical Self-Talk This exercise helps you to notice, spot, and then reframe your critical self-talk. In the context of fear of failure, you can use it to reframe your anxieties about not measuring up or failing at something.
Strengths Spotting by Exception Finding This exercise helps you to spot your strengths so that you can draw on your strengths more consciously and deliberately in high-stakes situations in which you fear failure.
Solution-Focused Guided Imagery This exercise helps you envisage solutions to your problems or to important challenges you are facing and that you fear you may fail at.

If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others enhance their wellbeing, this signature collection contains 17 validated positive psychology tools for practitioners. Use them to help others flourish and thrive.

17 Top-Rated Positive Psychology Exercises for Practitioners

Expand your arsenal and impact with these 17 Positive Psychology Exercises [PDF] , scientifically designed to promote human flourishing, meaning, and wellbeing.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

Both as individuals and as a culture, we have a lot to learn from failure. And this matters, for without failure, there would be no progress, learning, or growth.

Failure also taps into one of the ancient virtues: courage. If we don’t dare, we can’t win.

Trying something new and venturing outside of our comfort zone always entail the risk of failure. But if we live to avoid failure at all costs, our lives will be impoverished and diminished. While we may avoid the pain of failing publicly, we inflict another kind of pain on ourselves: that of languishing and stagnating. We shrink our field of play.

Remember that fear of failure is the number one killer of all grand plans, exciting ideas, and positive visions for the future.

If you have a plan to build a legacy, become a champion, start a business, or any other task big or small but are held back by your fears, we encourage you to step forward, face your fears, accept what you learn from the process, and flourish.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free .

Abdi Zarrin, S., Gracia, E., & Paixão, M. P. (2020). Prediction of academic procrastination by fear of failure and self-regulation. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice , 20 (3), 34–43.
Atkinson, J. W. (1957). Motivational determinant of risk-taking behavior. Psychological Review , 64 , 359–372.
Collins Dictionary. (n.d.). Atychiphobia. In Collins online dictionary . Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.collinsdictionary.com/submission/19046/atychiphobia.
Conroy, D. E., Kaye, M. P., & Fifer, A. M. (2007). Cognitive links between fear of failure and perfectionism. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy , 25 (4), 237–253.
Conroy, D. E., Willow, J. P., & Metzler, J. N. (2002). Multidimensional fear of failure measurement: The Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology , 14 , 76–90.
Dweck, C. S. (2017). Mindset: Changing the way you think to fulfil your potential (Updated ed.). Robinson.
Frost, R. O., & Henderson, K. J. (1991). Perfectionism and reactions to athletic competition. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology , 13 , 323–335.
McGregor, H. A., & Elliot, A. J. (2005). The shame of failure: Examining the link between fear of failure and shame. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin , 31 , 218–231.
Sagar, S. S., & Stoeber, J. (2009). Perfectionism, fear of failure, and affective responses to success and failure: The central role of fear of experiencing shame and embarrassment. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology , 31 , 602–627.
Stoeber, J., & Becker, C. (2008). Perfectionism, achievement motives, and attribution of success and failure in female soccer players. International Journal of Psychology , 43 , 980–987.
Stoeber, J., & Otto, K. (2006). Positive conceptions of perfectionism: Approaches, evidence, challenges. Personality and Social Psychology Review , 10 , 295–319.
Tangney, J. P. (2002). Perfectionism and the self-conscious emotions: Shame, guilt, embarrassment and pride. In G. L. Flett, & P. L. Hewitt (Eds.), Perfectionism: Theory, research, and treatment (pp. 199–216). American Psychological Association.

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How to Overcome Fear of Failure in Your Studies

Fear of failure and experiencing challenges and mistakes in your studies can be CRIPPLING. We attach so many negative feelings to these setbacks that can really steal our confidence and make it difficult to keep going.

But our fear of failure doesn’t have to keep holding us back. It’s possible to strengthen our mindset and change how we feel about our mistakes. To even start to see the positive aspects of failure and how we can use it to become more resilient and achieve higher grades in future.

In this episode, I’m going to dive into the reasons behind our fear of failure, and offer some perspective shifts to help you view studying setbacks without so much fear. You’ll learn some strategies for overcoming your fear of failure and taking back control of your academic success

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7 Essential Ways to Ensure This Is Your Best Academic Year Yet

Are you ready to embark on your best academic year ever? Getting ready for the new academic year is about more than buying new stationery and setting up your study space. It IS possible to take a few simple, intentional actions now to set the stage for an easier studying life AND epic grades. The

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The 7 Skills Necessary to Overcome Fear

Fear is the ultimate form of emotional baggage..

Posted January 10, 2021 | Reviewed by Kaja Perina

What Is Fear?
Find counselling to combat fear and anxiety

Emotional baggage comes in many forms and can affect many areas of your life. It can creep into relationships, career , parenting , achievement and even the way that you manage your health.

The ultimate whammy that emotional baggage brings to the table is fear . Huge, in your way of getting anything done kind of fear. Because what baggage does is tell you that you are not capable. You are no good. You are too fat. You are unlovable. You are damaged somehow. You are not smart enough, others are better than you.

These messages all bring about the bottom line of keeping you afraid of trying things or putting yourself out there. This is because you believe the messages are correct and that you will fall flat on your face in some way. That failure will make you a laughingstock and people will say “I told you so”.

Sometimes fear can be healthy and keeps you safe. Staying in safe city zones or in lighted areas is a form of a healthy preventative fear. Remaining stuck in a bad relationship, bad job or some other unhealthy situation is an example of bad fear.

Maybe you aren’t in a bad situation but you would like to change your situation and something is holding you back. That something is usually fear. That fear comes from someplace inside you that is screaming don’t be stupid, you can’t do that!!

But you have no proof that you can’t do it. You are only hearing your fear talking and that fear is coming from some old, outdated and incorrect message stored in the archives of your brain.

Let this be the year you clean out all those old messages. Test them out to see which ones hold water. I bet not many. The fear can be so great you are afraid to eliminate it, believing that it serves you in some way. Just like any other kind of clutter, we think we may need it someday. Maybe you think it is keeping you safe. But what it is really doing is keeping you limited.

So, what to do with these old fears and messages?

Bring them out in the open. Invite them in for a little chat. What is your biggest challenge right now in life? Associate whatever fear and negative messaging comes with it. You don’t need to look at them all at once, when you start breaking them down you will see that some will go away naturally. The worst thing you can do is ignore them. If it feels like too much just sit with the thoughts for a bit without demanding change. Get comfortable with them so you can spend some time.

Everyone has fear. It is how you deal with it that matters. Allowing it to limit you is a life suck. Seeing it as a challenge that needs to be overcome and making a plan for it empowers you and puts you in control of your life.

It is not enough to say, "I am afraid of that". You have to look at why you are afraid and what it would take to not be afraid. You can break it into baby steps that match your comfort level of change.

The biggest step is to see fear as baggage and not as a rightful appendage. Those negative and fearful ideas came from somewhere, it is your job to determine where so that you can go about eliminating them.

Eliminating Fear Involves Learning These 7 Skills:

Learn to trust yourself- trust that you will make good decisions, research and learn what you need and if you make a mistake you can correct it.
Take ownership of your life -Taking purposeful action rather than reacting to events.
Identify the components of your fear. (Rejection, failure, so on).
Neutralize the above components. Know and trust that If one of those things happen you can deal with it or you can find help with it. Don't suffer it before it has happened.
Build your self-esteem . Learn to like yourself. You forgive mistakes by others, why not yourself?
Know that you can learn whatever you need to succeed at what you are afraid of- whether they are practical skills or emotional skills, you can master them if necessary.
Believe at your very core that this can be done. This is not just for other people. This is for you. You are just as good as the next person.

Anything that you want or are thinking of doing can be done with some thought and planning.

You can still write your life blueprint knowing that you have some baggage to overcome and skills to learn. Some baggage will be in the form of fear and you can recognize it in order to work with it. Your blueprint will be a lot more fun and hopeful when you dare to dream big.

Dr. Audrey Sherman is a psychologist, author, and coach whose expertise is in helping people overcome dysfunctional patterns and emotional baggage in order to create a life of their own design.

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Turning Fear into Confidence—A Personal Essay

October 14, 2020

Facing obstacles throughout your life is inevitable, and the obstacles you overcome can define who you are as a person. Not only will this build character and self-confidence, it will show others how strong you remained and inspire them to overcome their own challenges.

But overcoming obstacles is no simple task. Most obstacles are incredibly hard and testing. Yet, by overcoming them, you will come to understand why they are important. The significance of overcoming obstacles in life is to make you more grounded, courageous, and wise. For me, one of these life-altering obstacles emerged during my undergraduate years.

I had a serious fear of public speaking. There were times where I would struggle with presentations and in-class discussions. When these sessions would take place, my fear built up in a pressure cooker of discouragement and convulsive anguish. I felt humiliated before my teachers, partners, and most of all, my close friends. I soon realized, however, that the same people who seemed to be the source of my fear became my lifeline, their inspirational words filling my mind and heart with positive thoughts.

Seeing my struggles, my peers tried to build me up, to increase my confidence in myself and convince me that anything, including overcoming my fear of public speaking, could be accomplished with enough enthusiasm and belief in oneself.

The obstacles we face in life can distort how we see ourselves and cripple our ability to face our fears. By facing these conflicts head on, though, we can completely flip their effect on us, transforming them into experiences that strengthen our resilience and push the boundaries of what we think is possible to achieve.

Taking everything into account everything I’ve learned from this experience and many others like it that I’ve encountered in my life, it’s clear that obstacles are impossible to avoid, and when you do encounter them, you must view them as learning opportunities. You might just surprise yourself at how easily you overcome them.

This post was written by Duke TIP’s outgoing Marketing & Communications intern, Christina Gordon. Christina graduated from North Carolina Central University in the spring of 2020.

About Duke TIP

The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a nonprofit organization that has served over three million academically talented students in grades 4–12 since it was founded in 1980. Collaborating with educators and parents, TIP helps gifted students assess the extent of their academic abilities with above-grade-level testing, recognizes them for their achievements, and provides them with a variety of enrichment benefits as well as accelerated face-to-face and online educational programs.

Overcoming Fear of Failure Essay

The level of growth and development has resulted to an increase in the technological knowhow and improvement of appliances. The search and presentation of information in websites has increased drastically over the past decades. Consequently, people are currently learning of the differences between websites. Some websites consist of shallow and unreliable information while others are educative and informative. This essay is aimed at analyzing the presentations of two individual websites relating to the fear of failure which is a topic in psychology. Fear of failure is a common subject in psychology and has been diversely researched on by numerous scholars (Knudson 1). Consequently, this essay evaluates the roles of research practitioners on how fear of failure generates and the significance of their research in the websites.

The Department of Psychology from the highly-recognized universities has conducted numerous researches on the validity of information in websites. Various articles and website give illustration on the effects caused by fear of failure on the human brains. The first website is an article written by Knudson Tellman on the reasons behind the fear of failure (Knudson 1). The article issues a generalized reasoning on the adverse effects that causes human beings to have the fear to fail. Fear results to lack of personal achievement and attainment of set goals. According to research, fear of failure is experienced in all stages of growth. The fear to fail starts affecting people from childhood to their adulthood.

Some people opt to drug addiction due to their increased fear of failing in their individual or corporate duties. The users of the recreational drugs tend to participate in unprotected sex, criminal gangs and societal challenges because few interact with the bad in society. Research shows that the adults have rational actions and attitudes towards decision making and thus the chances of adults making inappropriate decision become low. The author indicates in the article of the availability of fear to failure in every person. The website and article by Knudson gives a lot of examples to indicate the variations of the fear factor in all forms of life. The article continuously performs a clarification of the effects of fear of failure on children, adults, corporate businessmen and other categories in the economical and political fields (Knudson 1).

Mind tools healthcare research website facilitates an understanding to the different readers on the various challenges in medicine. The undertakings of the research practitioners based in ‘mindtools.com’ involve careful and detailed research on the various areas of research. According to an article from their website, the research practitioners indicated that fear of failure is a common feature in psychology and in research.

A critical analysis on the causes and the challenges faced by people is clearly enhanced in the article. The article provides knowledge of the effects generated from fear of failure in the different stages of life and in the different political, economical and social grounds. Other than the basic knowledge on the problems and causes of fear, the article indicates numerous related fields in the different sections of the webpage. This enhances the readers’ choice of information and thus produces room for extensive research and learning. The article illustrates different pictures that are supposed to enhance on the level of understanding and in pursuing the right remedy for the different causes of fear. The presentation of this article offers the reader an extensive field of research on the psychology topic.

The above websites have conducted individual research on the psychology subject and have produced outstanding levels of performance in their explanation and conclusion. However, ‘mindtools.com’ provides detailed information in their web page. This acts as an educative and informative piece to any researcher practitioner because different topics and illustration for detailed research are positioned in different areas on the website. I would therefore recommend this article to a friend doing research on drugs and addiction to the first article.

The website from ‘mind tools’ provides diverse areas of reference to the research practitioners. The diversity of the website presents clarity in the knowledge presentation. In addition, the provision of pictures enhances on the presentation and gives the reader an understanding of the adverse causes of fear of failure to humanity (Mind tools 1). From the research website, one can draw a critical analysis on the adverse effects of fear of failure and different ways of overcoming these challenges as clearly enhanced in the article.

The website includes the current pages of social media, Facebook, Tweeter and other currently used pages to illustrate to the reader of the accessibility of the information. Other than the basic knowledge on the problems and causes of addiction, the article indicates numerous related fields in the different sections of the webpage. In conclusion, a good website should meet its intended goal and also meet the needs of the readers (Mind tools 1). The website is supposed to be highly developed to facilitate efficiency during its usage. In addition, well-designed websites purport recognition and acceptance from different academic fields.

Works Cited

Knudson Tellman. Why We All Have Fear of Failure . PsychCentral. 2015. Web.

Mind tools. Overcoming Fear of Failure . Mindtools. 2015. Web.

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How to Overcome Your Fear of Failure

D id you know that nearly 33% of people suffer from atychiphobia , the fear of failure? If you’re reading this, chances are, you’re one of them and you’re not alone.

Have you ever held yourself back from pursuing a dream or goal, simply because of the nagging thought, “What if I fail?”

But what if I told you that this fear can actually become a powerful tool for success?

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through conquering this fear, share and offer practical advice to help you break free from this paralyzing emotion.

Why Do We Fear Failure?

First things first, let’s talk about why we’re so afraid of failing. There are many reasons, but some common ones include:

Fear of judgment from others
Fear of disappointing ourselves or loved ones
Fear of damaging our self-confidence
Fear of losing opportunities or resources

Identifying the root cause

The first step to overcoming your fear of failure is figuring out what exactly is causing it.

Are you afraid of looking silly in front of others?

Or is it the fear of disappointing someone, like your parents or partner?

Take some time for self-reflection and be compassionate with yourself during this process.

Understanding the source of your fear is essential in finding ways to overcome it.

As they say, awareness is the first step toward change. So take some time to reflect on what you’re afraid of and what’s holding you back.

Ask yourself these difficult questions and be honest with your answers. It’s only when we face our fears that we can start to conquer them!

Shifting your mindset towards failure

I remember when I first realized that my fear of failure was holding me back from pursuing my passions and dreams.

It was when I wanted to start my own business, but the idea of failure was so overwhelming that I couldn’t even take the first step.

What if I invest all my time and money into this venture and it doesn’t work out? What if I let down my family and friends who believed in me?

What if I’m just not good enough?

These questions haunted me and held me back from pursuing my dream.

But eventually, I realized that I couldn’t let this fear stand in my way. I had to face it and conquer it. And guess what? I did!

And I’m so glad I did, or I never would have experienced the success I have today.

Reframe Your Thoughts Around Failure

Now that you’ve identified your fears, it’s time to change the way you think about failure.

Instead of viewing it as something to be afraid of, try seeing it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Remember, nobody’s perfect, and everyone even the most successful people fails at some point in their lives.

The key is to learn from your mistakes and use them to propel you forward instead of letting them hold you back.

So next time you face a setback, remind yourself that it’s just a stepping stone on your path to success.

HOW TO OVERCOME YOUR FEAR OF FAILURE

1. embrace your fear: it’s okay to feel scared.

The first thing I need you to understand is that it’s completely normal to be afraid of failure. This fear is something that’s been ingrained in us since childhood, and it can manifest in various ways. For me, it came as a fear of disappointment – I didn’t want to let myself or others down.

Recognizing and accepting that you feel scared is the first step to overcoming your fear of failure. So, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and say it out loud: “I am afraid of failing, and that’s okay.”

2. Seek Out Inspiration: Surround Yourself with Success Stories

When I was at my lowest, I found solace and encouragement in the stories of others who had faced similar fears and triumphed.

These stories showed me that, just like them, I could push past my fear and achieve great things.

Make it a point to seek out inspirational stories in books, TED Talks, or even the people around you.

As you surround yourself with these tales of resilience and success, remind yourself that you, too, are capable of greatness.

3. Reflect on Past Experiences: Learn and Grow from Your Failures

It wasn’t until I took the time to reflect on my past failures that I realized how much I had learned from them. Instead of being a reason to fear, my past failures became stepping stones for growth and self-improvement.

Take some time to analyze previous experiences where things didn’t go as planned. What lessons can you take away from each one? How has each failure shaped who you are today?

Embrace these lessons and use them to grow stronger and wiser.

4. Set Realistic Goals: Break Down Your Fears into Manageable Pieces

One significant revelation I had in my journey to overcoming my fear of failure was the importance of setting realistic goals. Instead of allowing myself to be overwhelmed by a massive, seemingly unattainable goal, I learned to break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces.

Start by listing your goals and breaking them down into achievable steps. This way, you’ll feel more in control and better equipped to conquer the obstacles ahead.

5.Develop a Growth Mindset

We need to adjust our mindset to overcome the fear of failure. Carol Dweck, a well-renowned psychologist, introduced the concept that people can be divided into two groups: those with a fixed mindset and those with a growth mindset. Which one sounds like you?

Fixed Mindset: People with this mindset believe talent, intelligence, and abilities are fixed qualities; therefore, they avoid challenges, fearing failure will expose their inadequacies.
Growth Mindset: Individuals with this mindset recognize that effort, learning, and persistence contribute to success. They embrace challenges, knowing that failure is a natural part of the process, leading to growth and improvement.

So, how can we cultivate a growth mindset and conquer our fear of failure? Here are some tips to get you started:

Embrace challenges : Approach challenges and new opportunities not as potential failures but as a chance to learn and grow.
Reframe setbacks : When you experience a setback, rather than focusing on what went wrong, examine the lessons you can take away and apply moving forward.
Seek feedback : Ask for constructive criticism and learn from it. This will help you continue to grow and make improvements.
Celebrate growth : Acknowledge and celebrate your progress, even if it’s in small increments, to motivate yourself to keep moving forward.

6.Embrace imperfection

When I first started my career, I was terrified of making mistakes. I believed that anything less than perfect was unacceptable.

However, that mindset quickly became limiting, as I found myself unable to take on new challenges or learn from my past experiences.

So, I decided to change my perspective. Instead of seeing imperfection as a flaw, I began to view it as an opportunity for growth.

As I embraced my imperfections, I started to take more risks and push my personal boundaries.

Over time, this mindset shift allowed me to grow and develop my skills in ways I never thought possible.

7.Shift your perspective

Thomas Edison famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

This quote is a perfect example of how changing your perspective on failure can significantly impact your outlook on life.

For me, this mindset shift came when I embraced the idea that failure is not the end, but rather, a stepping stone towards success.

When I faced moments of failure, instead of feeling defeated, I started to ask myself, “What can I learn from this experience?”

8.Analyze, learn, and grow

One of the most valuable things I gained from facing failure was the opportunity to learn from my mistakes. Whenever I faced a setback, I took it as an opportunity to analyze my actions, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes for future success.

This approach has helped me not only to overcome my fear of failure but also to transform it into a driving force for personal growth and development. Instead of avoiding challenges or playing it safe, I am now motivated by the chance to learn and grow, making failure an essential part of my journey.

Putting It All Together: A Guide To Overcoming

Following the tips above, it’s time to put everything into action. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you finally defeat your fear of failure:

Embrace the Possibility of Failure: The first step in overcoming fear of failure is to accept that failure is a possibility and that it’s not always a bad thing. Mistakes and setbacks can actually provide valuable learning experiences and ultimately lead to growth and success.
Reframe Your Definition of Failure: Instead of viewing failure as something that is negative or shameful, try seeing it as a necessary stepping stone towards success. By reframing your definition of failure, you can shift your mindset and reduce the power that fear has over you.
Set Realistic Expectations: It’s important to set achievable and realistic goals for yourself. This can help lessen the pressure and anxiety that comes with the fear of failure.
Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome: Concentrating on the actionable steps you can take to achieve your goals, rather than solely fixating on the end result, can help alleviate some of the stress and fear surrounding failure.
Develop a Growth Mindset: People with a growth mindset view challenges as opportunities for learning and self-improvement. Adopting this perspective can help you see failures as essential to your personal growth and development.
Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with family, friends, and mentors who will support you, celebrate your achievements, and help you get back on track when you’re faced with setbacks.

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How to Overcome the Fear of Failure

Updated 22 March 2023

Subject Myself

Downloads 29

Category Life

Topic Fear of Failure

The Fear of Failure and Its Impact

A healthy fear of failure, seeking professional support, identify your triggers, redefining success and failure, use self-compassion when you fail, the dangers of self-sabotage, the positive power of fear.

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Essay on How to Overcome Exam Fear

Students are often asked to write an essay on How to Overcome Exam Fear in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on How to Overcome Exam Fear

Understanding exam fear.

Exam fear is a common feeling among students, caused by the pressure to perform well. It can lead to stress and anxiety, affecting your overall performance.

Effective Preparation

Start preparing early to avoid last-minute cramming. Make a study schedule and stick to it. Understanding the material helps reduce fear.

Healthy Lifestyle

Maintain a balanced diet and regular exercise. This boosts brain function and helps manage stress. Ensure you get enough sleep.

Positive Mindset

Stay positive and believe in your abilities. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing to calm your mind.

250 Words Essay on How to Overcome Exam Fear

Exam fear, often experienced as anxiety or stress, is a common issue among college students. It manifests as a fear of failure or underperformance, sometimes leading to counterproductive behaviors like procrastination or over-study. Understanding the root cause of this fear is the first step towards overcoming it.

Strategic Preparation

Effective preparation is critical to overcoming exam fear. Create a study plan well in advance of your exams, allocating time for each subject based on its difficulty and importance. This not only ensures comprehensive coverage of the syllabus but also alleviates fear by providing a sense of control over your studies.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep your mind sharp and focused. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep can greatly improve your cognitive function and reduce stress levels. Avoid excessive caffeine or energy drinks, which can increase anxiety.

Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Incorporate relaxation techniques into your routine. Mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga can help manage stress and improve concentration. These practices foster a calm mind, enabling you to approach exams with a balanced perspective.

Finally, cultivate a positive mindset. Understand that exams are not a measure of your worth but a tool for assessing knowledge. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and view exams as a chance to demonstrate your understanding.

In conclusion, overcoming exam fear requires a holistic approach encompassing strategic preparation, a healthy lifestyle, relaxation techniques, and a positive mindset. Through these strategies, you can transform exam fear into a productive force driving your academic success.

500 Words Essay on How to Overcome Exam Fear

Introduction.

Exams are a fundamental part of the educational system, an inevitable experience for every student. They are designed to measure a student’s understanding and knowledge of a subject. However, they often induce a sense of fear and anxiety. This phenomenon, known as exam fear, can hinder a student’s performance. Overcoming exam fear is crucial for achieving academic success and maintaining mental wellbeing.

Exam fear can manifest in various forms such as sleeplessness, loss of appetite, nervousness, and even panic attacks. It is often driven by the pressure to perform well, fear of failure, lack of preparation, or high expectations from oneself or others. Understanding the root cause of exam fear is the first step towards overcoming it.

Effective preparation is key to reducing exam fear. It involves creating a study schedule, understanding the exam format, and familiarizing oneself with the subject matter. A well-structured study plan can make the task less overwhelming and increase confidence. It is also important to practice under exam conditions to get accustomed to the time pressure and format.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is often underestimated in its ability to combat exam fear. Regular physical exercise can help reduce stress and improve mental clarity. A balanced diet provides the necessary nutrients for brain function, while adequate sleep enhances memory and cognitive functions. Avoiding excessive caffeine and junk food, which can induce anxiety, is also advisable.

Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can be very effective in managing exam fear. Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment, which can help in reducing anxiety and improving concentration. Techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation can help in achieving a calm state of mind.

Positive Mindset and Self-belief

Maintaining a positive mindset and self-belief is crucial in overcoming exam fear. It is important to understand that exams are not the ultimate measure of one’s worth or intelligence. Fear of failure should be replaced with the understanding that mistakes and setbacks are opportunities for learning and growth. Self-belief involves trusting one’s abilities and preparation, and having the confidence to face the challenge.

Seeking Support

Finally, seeking support from others can be highly beneficial. This could be from teachers, who can provide academic guidance, or from friends and family, who can provide emotional support. If exam fear becomes overwhelming, professional help from a counselor or psychologist should be sought.

Overcoming exam fear is a multifaceted process that involves understanding the fear, effective preparation, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, practicing mindfulness, cultivating a positive mindset, and seeking support when needed. By adopting these strategies, students can not only conquer exam fear but also enhance their overall academic performance and mental wellbeing.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on Exam Stress
Essay on Exam Fear
Essay on My Preparation for Examination

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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