Afraid of Failure

Afraid of Failure? 3 Dumb Things You Do When You Fear Failure

Posted on

Are you so afraid of failure that you never fulfill your purpose in life?

Fear of failure is an epidemic that has wrecked the visions, dreams, aspirations and purpose of numerous people in life. Needless to say, failure is what happens when your result does not match your expectation. When you’re afraid of failure certain thoughts like “I could look foolish”, “I might lose everything” or “they would think less of me” run through your head.

Why You Are Afraid of Failure:

We hate failure because failure hurts. Thus, we associate the pain of failing with a bitter experience we must avoid at all cost.

Most importantly, fear of failure dates back to your childhood days. During your childhood, your strengths were swallowed up by negative emotions you felt because someone was not impressed with how you did something.

Early on as a kid, I wasn’t necessarily afraid of failing at things. If anything, I was mad at myself or frustrated for not getting things right. Then fast-forward, to my elementary school days failure became something I dreaded so much. Mainly due to the other kids making fun of me or the embarrassing feeling of being disgraced in class.

Other times, my gift for failing was punishment from my teachers along with ugly remarks on my school report card. To make matters worst, my parents will have to see my report card. Something I didn’t enjoy witnessing. Perhaps because they might feel very disappointed with me, and even themselves.

In essence, failing at anything is not necessarily what you are afraid of. You are purely afraid of what comes with failing. For instance, what others may say, missing out on your target, the embarrassment, the ridicule and many other negative emotions. As a result, you quit trying and give up on your goals, visions and dreams.

“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one.” – Elbert Hubbard

What Happens When You’re Afraid of Failure?

By default, here are the 3 dumb things you tend to do when you’re afraid to fail:

1. Procrastination:

Have you ever found yourself procrastinating just to avoid the pain of failure? The paradox here is that when you procrastinate, you create more pain for yourself because you still end up failing to reach your targets, meet deadlines or achieve your goals.

When you’re afraid to fail you devise means to delay important tasks that get you closer to your goals. Also, you put off things that need to be done now to an unknown time in the future. Eventually, you build up a mountain of tasks that puts massive amounts of stress and pressure on you. And when not contained, the pressure and stress from procrastination can lead to severe depression or dangerous emotional outburst.

Related: Procrastination Destroys You. 7 Things That Happen When You Procrastinate

2. Analysis Paralysis:

If tolerated, the anxiety that comes with failing will push you into the analysis paralysis state. Analysis paralysis is a state where you cannot move forward with your goal or target because you’re crippled by what it will take to reach the finish line. Often times, you overthink and quit before getting started. Overthinking to the point of inaction typically happens when you’re fear failure.

Without a doubt, analysis is a good thing to do. But it becomes bad when you catch yourself analyzing a goal to the point you end up dropping the idea of pursuing that goal.

The worst case is when you have all the necessary data you need to take the first step yet you refuse to make a move because you’re fixated on evaluating inconsequential things.

3. Unreasonable Excuses:

The dumbest you can do when you are afraid of failure is give ridiculous excuses. Basically, excuses that make absolutely no sense.

Actually, you sabotage your dreams and goals making unreasonable excuses because you’re afraid of things not working out.

Some of the lame excuses you may come up with when you’re scared of failure include:

  • I’m not tall enough, short enough, white enough, black enough…
  • My genes are stopping me from achieving my goals
  • You know everyone hates me
  • It’s not my time yet

How fear of failure affects you

  • Settling for less than you deserve:

Your fear of failure will cost you so much in life. Amongst other costs, you will subject yourself to settle for less than you deserve.

The most crushing thing about settling for less is the dissatisfaction that comes from living everyday knowing that you deserve more. And also knowing deep within yourself that you have what it takes to be great but you chose to be mediocre.

Another big this you experience when you settle for less than you deserve is the feeling of emptiness. This feeling is a result of the void created by lack of fulfillment.

Related: Why Settling for Less Than You Deserve is Very Deadly

  • Your goals become pipe dreams:

A pipe dream is what your goals, dreams and aspiration are when they become unattainable. It doesn’t matter how inspiring your goals are, they become an illusion if you’re unable to accomplish them due to fear of failure.

When your goals become pipe dreams you begin to doubt yourself and destroy your self-esteem. Also, you become bored with your life and fail to fulfill your purpose in life.

  • The pain of regret:

Which would you rather live with: the pain of failing at something or the pain of regret?

One thing about the pain of failure is that it’s temporary. But the pain of regret is something you have to live with for the rest of your life. You constantly have to live your life asking yourself “what if…?” Just imagine how that feels for a second! The choice is yours.

At some point in life, you will fail if you must be successful. The real question is: “do you get up and keep moving forward when you fail?“

By all means, you have to equip yourself to overcome your fear of failure if you ever want to achieve your goals in life. And in the bonus section below you will find 3 exclusive books with simple yet powerful secrets to dominating your fear of failure and live the life you deserve.

2 Helpful Books to Crush Fear of Failure:

How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams

Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder by Reshma Saujani

Disclosure: I make a commission if you use the affiliate links in this article to make a purchase. 

Would you like to receive my hassle-free guide to crushing your fear of failure? Subscribe now for FREE

Don’t be selfish! If you have gained from reading this, empower others now by sharing this article.

Now go after your goals boldly! Thank you for reading 🙂

51 thoughts on “Afraid of Failure? 3 Dumb Things You Do When You Fear Failure”

  3. I love looking through a post that can make people think. Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment!

  4. At this moment I am ready to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast
    coming over again to read more news.

  5. Great beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend your web site,
    how can i subscribe for a blog web site? The account aided me a applicable deal.

    I were tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered brilliant transparent concept

  8. This design is steller! You most certainly know how to keep a reader amused.
    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost
    moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic
    job. I really enjoyed what you had to say,
    and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

  9. With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any problems
    of plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has a lot of unique content
    I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it seems a lot
    of it is popping it up all over the internet without my permission. Do
    you know any ways to help protect against content from being
    ripped off? I’d certainly appreciate it.

  10. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all folks you really know what you’re speaking approximately!

    Bookmarked. Please additionally discuss with my site =).
    We will have a link exchange contract between us

  13. Hey! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but
    after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.

    Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking and
    checking back frequently!

  33. I’m the business owner of JustCBD Store label (justcbdstore.com) and I’m presently looking to grow my wholesale side of business. I really hope that anybody at targetdomain give me some advice ! I considered that the most effective way to accomplish this would be to talk to vape stores and cbd stores. I was hoping if anybody could recommend a trusted web-site where I can purchase Vape Shop B2B Email Marketing List I am currently examining creativebeartech.com, theeliquidboutique.co.uk and wowitloveithaveit.com. Unsure which one would be the most suitable solution and would appreciate any guidance on this. Or would it be easier for me to scrape my own leads? Ideas?

  38. It is in reality a great and helpful piece of info.
    I’m glad that you shared this useful information with us.
    Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  39. I was suggested this website by way of my cousin. I’m not sure whether this submit is written by way of him as no one else understand
    such special approximately my problem. You’re wonderful! Thank you!

  42. Hi, I do think this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will return yet again since i have saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.

  43. Hiya! I know this is kinda off topic however I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa?
    My site covers a lot of the same subjects as yours and I believe
    we could greatly benefit from each other. If you might be
    interested feel free to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!

    Fantastic blog by the way!

  47. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks, However I am going through troubles with your RSS. I don’t know why I cannot join it. Is there anyone else having the same RSS issues? Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  51. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that too few people are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I found this during my hunt for something concerning this.

Comments are closed.

error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)