6 Keys to Overcome the Fear of Failure

The fear of failure does more than keep us from success. It prevents people from enjoying a huge part of life. Often, the fear of failure developed over a period of time and was most likely triggered by a need for acceptance and approval by those who are important to them.

People who were raised in a negative environment, where they received little praise for their efforts, are prime candidates. While striving for positive recognition and encouragement, they soon learned that no matter how hard they tried, it was not good enough.

The resulting low self esteem fed their negativity. In time, they developed a fear of failure and now are reluctant to try anything new. When this carries over into adulthood, they begin to lose any hope of succeeding.

Fortunately, there are keys to overcome the fear of failure.

1. Recognize the relationship between lack of success and fear of failure

It's common to confuse lack of success with fear of failure. Lack of success: didn't succeed for any number of reasons. Fear of failure: fear of failure leads to lack of success

Take a close look at the amount of effort you've applied to your endeavors. Try to spot the point when you stopped trying and see if you lost confidence. Chances are, you did. How long did it take for you to reach that point? If possible, try to capture the thoughts that went through your head when you did lose confidence.

2. Determine how much effort you apply before you give up

After a lifetime of failures (lack of success), people tend to lack patience and persistence. As a result, projects do not receive the attention necessary to make them succeed. Such people come to expect failure. Knowing your level of input reveals how easily you feel overwhelmed or stressed.

3. Set a relaxation schedule that corresponds to #2

Unrelieved stress leads to more stress and negativity, and an even stronger fear of failure. Find a fun activity that relaxes you and puts you in a positive frame of mind. Exercise this activity regularly to ease the tension. If you can only work for 30 minutes before feeling stressed, take a break every half hour. Pushing forward while under stress will lead to poor outcomes that reinforce your lack of success and give reason to your fear of failure.

4. Take small steps

Break projects into small, easily achievable steps, rather than tackling the entire project at once. Stop work when you begin to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Come back to it after your relaxation exercises. You will become re-energized, refocused and more positive.

5. Work on activities you know you are good at

People tend to feel more confident and self-assured while doing activities they know they are already good at. Venture into new areas of those activities to build even more confidence. Later, when your confidence is boosted, you can transfer that effort into the tasks that trigger your fear of failure.

6. Find ways to boost your self-esteem

Low self esteem is often at the root of fear of failure. As self esteem is improved, the fear of failure weakens. Rather than expecting approval and acceptance from others, learn to like yourself and your abilities. In essence, you end up approving of yourself and what you can do. The opinion of others loses its importance.

Focus on these six keys and in time, you will begin to see your confidence grow and your fear of failure disappear.
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