Everyone will at some point in their lives experience the fear of failing; whether it’s in your work or personal life, it can cause some terrible thoughts and stop the progress you have made. Being fearful (to a point) isn’t a bad thing, it means you care and the added adrenaline can help drive you, however too much of anything is not good for you.
Use the following strategies to embrace your fear of failing and how not to let it stop you from progressing.
Think Positively
Nearly every situation can be improved by positivity. Positivity is a very powerful mind tool to use to build your confidence and see the best in every situation. Fear of failure breeds self-sabotage, even if you don’t believe it; you will eventually sabotage your own plans. Positive thinking can help negate this and keep you on the path to success. So why not tell yourself a few positive things every morning: ” I will plan well and I will succeed”, ” I can do this”, ” I am talented and can make it”, ” I am amazing”. There are several words of affirmations that you could try, you can even go as far as sticking them on your wall or using them as screen savers for your mobile/laptop.
Visualisation
The experts recommend using visualisation techniques when facing fear; this is used to help those who suffer from anxiety. Visualise the situation in which you are afraid of, now rather than shying away from it, allow yourself to feel the fear and imagine yourself moving forward past it; see yourself succeeding despite your fear. Why not create a vision board for the results you want to see.
Have a plan B
If the fear of failure is stopping you from doing something, then look to set a plan B. Set yourself a backup plan to make you feel more comfortable, with that in place you may be willing to take greater, more rewarding risks, knowing you have something to fall back on.
Set yourself goals
At the beginning set small, manageable goals to do things you would normally not do. This will encourage you to continue through the fear. You could be anything from talking to a new colleague to applying for a job; as soon as your start conquering these small goals, you will feel more confident and be able to set yourself larger ones. Don’t forget to set deadlines for those goals, because goals without deadlines are merely wishes.
Remember your influencers
Sir Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group (owns one of the biggest airlines today , Virgin Atlantic) was a high school drop-out, or look at Coco Channel who never saw the four walls of school but was a French designer and founder of the Channel brand that is now a leading high end designer brand. When the going gets tough remember those who didn’t let a stumble get in their way. There are countless women and men who lose it all the time, only to gain it back even greater in the end. Everyone will have set-backs, but the key is to keep going and believe in you.
What do you do to help you get over your fears? Let me know.
