The fear of failure is like a plague. For many, fear and failure go together like peanut butter and jelly. For some of us, it is what holds us back. We do not want to set ourselves up for a fall so we just don’t do anything at all. We justify our failures by not even trying at all.
As hard as failure is to deal with, it is amazing how simple it can be to avoid this fear. There are many ways that a person can get through the pain and disappointment that fear and failure can bring.
The only way to know for sure if you can succeed is to try. You must first put forth a little effort. There is no way of knowing how far you can go, if you don’t put your foot forward and start in the right direction.
Set realistic goals for yourself. Don’t go crazy with a list of nonsense. The hard part is thinking about it. Once you have a set plan of action, it is easier to focus on what to do and when to do it.
Work towards your goals at a pace you can deal with. If it helps – set a time limit on your goals. If you think that things won’t be achieved at the projected time, you can always change your time frame.
Take baby steps to achieve your goals, if you need to. Do not see your successes as a marathon. You don’t have to race to the finish. Take extra time to ensure that you are doing things right the first time. This way, you don’t have to redo things later on.
Have a support system that you can count on. Sometimes, having someone to talk to can make all the difference in the world. It is also good to have someone that you can turn to if you have any questions. There is no rule that says you can’t ask for help along the way.
Learn to laugh at yourself. Rather than taking things so seriously, take a light-hearted approach to things. Embrace your mistakes with a smile. A little bit of humor can go a long way.
Practice self-acceptance. Learn to love yourself and be happy with your accomplishments. Know that it is okay to be proud of yourself. If you do a good job, reward yourself. Sometimes, having something to look forward to, can make the process run more smoothly.
Be happy for others. If someone else does a good job, praise and encourage him or her. Do not see someone else’s successes make you feel bad. Do not be a sore loser or bring others down with your own negativity.
If you do not succeed the first time you give it a try – try again. Do not let possible failure cause complete failure. If you aren’t perfect, do not let it get to you. All things take time. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Have a back up plan. If things don’t go as planned, be ready to try other options. Sometimes, goals have to be viewed differently in order to achieve them. It can be as easy as changing the way we think or how we go about stuff.
Remember that there is power in positive thinking. It can often be as easy as knowing you can do and doing it. The hardest part comes when we let doubts stew in our heads. Rather than worrying about what you can’t do, focus on what you can do. The outcome will be one you never dreamt possible!
