How To Overcome The Fear Of Failure

LeAnn Rodriguez
Jul 10, 2017 · 3 min read

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” said Franklin D. Roosevelt during his first inaugural address in 1933. The infamous quote often comes to mind when we think of fear.

Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

*I am not a doctor and I’m in no way trying to tell anyone how to manage their fears, anxieties, or any other mental illness. We’re all different, and we all handle our mental illnesses in different ways. It takes a strong person to battle mental illnesses no matter how one chooses to do so. This post is simply meant to help you cope with the day-to-day struggles that come along with anxiety and fear of failure*

Fear is defined as, “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat.”

Cloaked under a multitude of thoughts and feelings, fear doesn’t discriminate and once entrenched it proves difficult to break. Even when its first glimmers are minuscule, if one doesn’t learn to mindfully take into account the triggers and the physical reactions created by said fears, it can be an arduous road.

Often it’s taught there are things you have to overlook. That’s a given. Sweeping things under the rug, at times, is a necessity in order to navigate the demands of life. However, you can sweep something under the rug only so long before it manifests itself in other ways.

For introverts, the world often seems too busy and chaotic enough. (Granted, it often feels that way for almost anyone.) Add sudden, swift changes (or planned changes) and fear can greatly impact thoughts and physical health such as migraines, tension headaches, muscle aches, insomnia, fatigue, etc. Visit Healthline.com for a list of 16 Effects of Stress on Your Body.

What is my biggest fear? FEAR OF FAILURE!

Atychiphobia is defined as when we allow that fear to stop us doing the things that can move us forward to achieve our goals aka fear of failure.

In light of the proven effects of stress on one’s health, it can also hinder social interaction and lead to greater fears and phobias. How can you overcome the fear of failure?

According to Lisa Firestone, PH.D., Director of Research and Education at The Glendon Association, “The inner voice undermines us and limits our capacity to pursue and accomplish the things we want in life. The first step in overcoming our fear of failure is, therefore, to identify when our inner coach is talking to us.

“As we start to recognize how and when this voice is influencing our present lives, we can start to separate it from our true point of view, our real self.” To read more from Lisa Firestone, PH.D. for related articles, visit www.psychalive.org.

Our thoughts shape how we think about ourselves, the world around us, and our actions. However, our thoughts are fleeting and at times fear-based. Recognizing negative self-talk and reframing it to what is actually true, can help overcome the fear of failure. For me, this approach has helped greatly and hope it can benefit you as well!

This post is part of the 52-Week Blog Challenge. The 52-Week Blog Challenge was started by Britts Daily Dose & Sit Back And Just Live. If you want to participate you can too! All you need to do is 1. post the banner at the top of the post and 2. link both of their blogs in your post!

To read more of Sweetsnsnarks blog posts from the 52-Week Blog Challenge check out Favorite Summer Accessories, Thoughts On Time Management, and Books To Read For Personal Development. For blog updates and daily motivation follow @sweetsnsnarks on Instagram.


Originally published at sweetsnsnarks.wordpress.com on July 10, 2017.

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