“I’ve learned that fear limits you and your vision. It serves as blinders to what may be just a few steps down the road for you. The journey is valuable, but believing in your talents, your abilities, and your self-worth can empower you to walk down an even brighter path. Transforming fear into freedom – how great is that?”
Soledad O’Brien
Many people have taken there last breath having never realized their dreams because they couldn’t break away from fear. The fear of failure is one that many people face, in both their personal and business lives. It could come in the form of “what would people say”, and a lot of other “WHAT IFs.”
Of course ‘fear of failure’ is not the only fear, but just an umbrella term for many of the anxieties we face as we try new tasks and activities. Fear has stopped many people from even making initial efforts to begin a business, to learn a language, to start a relationship; the list could go on.
Overcoming fear is the first step towards embracing success in all areas of your life, and you can start with the tips below.
1. Change your mindset about mistakes and failures
The first step towards overcoming the fear of failure in whatever you try is changing your mindset towards failures and mistakes. If you have ever listened to some of the most successful people speak, you discover that they have had more failures than successes, but they understand that a set back is simply a part of trying something new, and indeed a part of life. Experience doesn’t come when everything goes smoothly.
Successful people have a mindset that convinces them that failure is not the end, but an opportunity to re-strategize. This is the mindset you need to develop if you want to overcome fear.
Instead of berating yourself when you make mistakes, see your mistakes and failures as opportunities for you to learn and grow. Take the knowledge you earned from your failure and put it to good use.
When you make a mistake, reflect, learn, relearn, try again, and grow.
2. Focus on positive self-talk
Words, both spoken and unspoken, are very powerful, and nature has a way of bringing the things we think about the most into our lives (law of attraction). This means that the words you speak carry weight, and to overcome fear, you must be ready to fill your mind with positive energy and attitude.
Try meditation or positive affirmations daily to change your mindset and begin overcoming fear.
3. Ask for help
It is doubt that breeds fear, so the next time you feel doubtful about your approach, it could be beneficial to ask for help. There are chances that all you need to overcome that fear is a little word of encouragement from someone who has passed through the stage you are currently in. A colleague, mentor, or friend can easily come in handy here.
Any time you begin to doubt your capabilities, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
4. Have a plan B
Always think ahead to map out all the possible outcomes of your actions including the worst that could happen. Having such a detailed plan will help in allaying your fears of failure. Once you imagine the worst that could happen, and develop a plan to overcome or deal with the worst-case scenario, you have the confidence to push past your fear. Knowing you are overcoming fear will be magic for your self-confidence.
5. Don’t be over concerned about what others think
You will never make any headway in life if you live your life considering what negative opinions others may have about you. The truth is that people will always have their opinions, and whether you succeed or fail, there will always be something for them to say. So why not put your fears aside and be successful? They will talk about your success or your failure in just the same amount. You must learn to chase your passions and ideas because you want to, and not live for anyone else.
It is true that attaining success in life requires many things, but overcoming fear is definitely one of the first tasks you must accomplish. If you can follow the above tips studiously, you will be on your way to attaining the success you deserve and living a life designed on your own terms, and not one ruled by fears.
Recommended: 9 Ways to Push Beyond Fear
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