How do you overcome fear of failure?

Fear of failure can hold you back from pursuing your goals, trying new things, or expressing yourself. It can also affect your self-confidence, motivation, and happiness. But you don't have to let fear of failure stop you from living your best life. Here are some strategies to help you overcome fear of failure and boost your self-confidence.

1 Identify your fears

The first step to overcoming fear of failure is to identify what you are afraid of and why. Maybe you are afraid of failing a test, losing a job, disappointing someone, or making a mistake. Write down your fears and the reasons behind them. This will help you to understand your triggers, challenge your negative thoughts, and find solutions.

Add your perspective

Load more contributions

2 Reframe failure

The second step to overcoming fear of failure is to reframe how you think about failure. Instead of seeing failure as a sign of weakness, incompetence, or worthlessness, see it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. Failure is not the end of the road, but a feedback loop that tells you what works and what doesn't. By reframing failure, you can reduce the emotional impact of fear and increase your resilience.

Add your perspective

Nestor Maceda Marquez

Head of Pre-Assembly, Body & Final Assembly at BMW Group Mexico
Report contribution
In my experience we must take failure as a gift , this is the only way to grow , to learn , to realize that things can be done on a different way , or we discover new approaches to an issue , what matters is to understand that society has been wrong failure is not bad , failure is the path to success , to growth and to have a peaceful life .

Like

Unhelpful
Zen 💤 Benefiel

🌌 Spiral Wizard** | 🐙 Transformational Coach + | 🌎 Curious Conversation Creator | ✍️ Amazon Author | 💭 Thought Leader | 🔮 Futurist | 🎉 Celebrator
Report contribution
The reframing is important. Oftentimes, a view of the process of the event over a longer period of time will often reveal certain insights and understanding couldn't have happened any other way. It's the return to the path that demonstrates the faith, love and trust in oneself. The old adage of 'nothing is good or bad, it's how we think it so' applies.

Like

Unhelpful

3 Set realistic goals

The third step to overcoming fear of failure is to set realistic and achievable goals. Sometimes, fear of failure stems from setting unrealistic or vague goals that are too high, too low, or too broad. This can lead to frustration, anxiety, or procrastination. To avoid this, set SMART goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. This will help you to focus on your actions, track your progress, and celebrate your achievements.

Add your perspective

4 Take action

The fourth step to overcoming fear of failure is to take action. Fear of failure can paralyze you from taking any action or making any decision. But the only way to overcome fear is to face it and do what you are afraid of. Taking action will help you to build your confidence, gain experience, and learn from your failures. Start with small steps and gradually increase your challenge level. Don't let perfectionism or comparison stop you from trying.

Add your perspective

5 Seek support

The fifth step to overcoming fear of failure is to seek support from others. Fear of failure can make you feel isolated, ashamed, or insecure. But you are not alone. Many people struggle with fear of failure and can offer you empathy, encouragement, and advice. Seek support from people who are positive, supportive, and trustworthy. They can help you to cope with your emotions, share your experiences, and celebrate your successes.

Add your perspective

Zen 💤 Benefiel

🌌 Spiral Wizard** | 🐙 Transformational Coach + | 🌎 Curious Conversation Creator | ✍️ Amazon Author | 💭 Thought Leader | 🔮 Futurist | 🎉 Celebrator
Report contribution
The key to being able to receive support is being vulnerable. We may not know the trials and tribulations of others, though finding one who has experienced their own path from tragedy to triumph offers much for the nurturing of self as well. Being a transformational coach, one ought to have their own transformation, perhaps multiple times, in order to be of any value.

Like

Unhelpful

6 Practice self-compassion

The sixth step to overcoming fear of failure is to practice self-compassion. Fear of failure can make you harsh, critical, or judgmental of yourself. But this can damage your self-esteem, motivation, and happiness. Instead of beating yourself up for failing, treat yourself with kindness, understanding, and forgiveness. Recognize that you are human and that failure is part of life. Learn from your mistakes and move on with confidence.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Ashwin Krishnan

Revealing The Real You. Authentic. Unscripted. On StandOutIn90Sec! Tech Leaders - Humanize your people to foster greater engagement. Event Hosts - Humanize your speakers before your event to drive attendance.
Report contribution
Indulge in some reflection focusing on past life regrets that exists due to inaction for fear of failure. By retrospection, it will give the courage to take action now versus adding to the list of regrets in life. Nothing teaches like experience and we need to take advantage of that learning to do better and fear less.

Like

Unhelpful
Kevin Shaw

Tech founder @Kevinshawuk on YouTube & LinkedIn storyteller known as the “Wizard of words”
Report contribution
Deion Sanders said, to paraphrase. When the ball is in the air it's mine it's meant for me. When the result is uncertain expect it to fall in your favour and act with certainty.

Like

Unhelpful
Zen 💤 Benefiel

🌌 Spiral Wizard** | 🐙 Transformational Coach + | 🌎 Curious Conversation Creator | ✍️ Amazon Author | 💭 Thought Leader | 🔮 Futurist | 🎉 Celebrator
Report contribution
Something we rarely consider is that what we seek is seeking us. We intend to have success, though we don't know the path. We put our attention, intention and interaction toward a dream or a goal. That sets the 'universe' or what I like to call the 'thoughtmosphere' into motion to provide you with the breadcrumbs to follow. You might miss a que or a sign and feel like you've failed when something doesn't work out like you want it to. You're 'higher self' knows better and will continue to feed you breadcrumbs. It's learning how to sense your way that is critical. We cannot think our way through a system built on vibrations (proven science), we have to sense our way. There's science in that, so considering inner work is always a good choice.

Like

Unhelpful

How do you overcome fear of failure?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify your fears

2 Reframe failure

3 Set realistic goals

4 Take action

5 Seek support

6 Practice self-compassion

7 Here’s what else to consider

Self-confidence

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Self-confidence

More relevant reading