I know how it feels when your fears get the best of you. As a seventeen-year-old, I remember wasting an entire weekend sitting in my hostel room because I was too scared to go out and explore the new city. My family would encourage me to step out and experience new things, but I would always brush it off by saying I was tired and needed rest. The truth was, I was afraid of getting lost in an unfamiliar place, which kept me from stepping out of my comfort zone. It took me years to acknowledge that my fear of failure was preventing me from gaining new experiences.
I was on my own for the first time. And as much as I wanted to leave that hostel room, I longed for someone to be there with me at all times. It wasn’t until I went out with my roommates that I finally gained the confidence to explore the city alone. My family would often call me lazy for not stepping out more, but little did they know, it was my fear that kept me from going out.
We often mistake our fear of failure for laziness because it’s easier to ignore the truth. It’s simply easier to put things off than face the possibility of failing. We’d rather change our goals than confront our fears. I’ve seen people pass up incredible career opportunities because they didn’t want to leave their comfort zone. Many people refuse to give love a second chance because they fear getting their hearts broken again. The fear of not being good enough often prevents people from taking a leap of faith, and the fear of stepping into the unknown holds them back from taking that very first step.
Laziness is rarely the only reason we procrastinate. There are often underlying fears keeping us from being our best selves. And the fear of failure is one of the most prominent.
I remember how fearful I was before leaving for my first solo trip. For a while, I wasn’t even sure I would come back home. I was scared to board the bus or check in to the hotel.
But you know what they say?
“The only way out is through.”
When you finally face your fears, you’ll realize they were just illusions that took years to build in some hidden corner of your mind. If you want to stop procrastinating because of this fear of failure, read on to learn how to overcome it:
1. Acknowledge Your Fears
Once you take the time to acknowledge the fears building up in your mind, you’ll also find the courage to accept them. If you’ve been avoiding office parties or family gatherings because of social anxiety (and not because you’re busy), now is the time to acknowledge it. If the fear of rejection is stopping you from applying for a job, it’s time to accept that too. Acknowledging your feelings is the first step to overcoming your fears.
2. Analyze the Potential Outcomes
More often than not, it’s the potential outcomes that hold people back from facing their fears. To overcome this fear, analyze all possible outcomes and prepare your mind to face them.
For example, if the fear of stepping into the unknown is stopping you from taking a job opportunity in a new city, think about the possible outcomes. The best-case scenario is that you’ll build a great life there, both financially and socially. On the other hand, you might find yourself missing your old life and wanting to return. Either way, you won’t have regrets because, in the end, you’ll know you at least tried.
3. Put Your Fears to the Test
You won’t know unless you try. The most effective way to shed your fears is to put them to the test. If the fear of being alone holds you back from living your best life, imagine being single for life. It might sound daunting, but it will help you think of new ways to make your life fulfilling without relying on someone else’s support.
Similarly, if meeting new people scares you, put yourself in a situation where you’ll have no choice but to interact with strangers. Go on a solo trip, dine alone, or join an activity club. When you face your fears head-on, you’ll realize they’re just limitations you’ve created in your mind. Here’s an amazing list of inspiring quotes to help you face your fears—trust me, you’ll love it!
4. Shed the No-Failure Mindset
Perfection is a myth. Anyone chasing perfectionism is living in an illusion of something that doesn’t even exist. Your fears are often fueled by your desire for perfection. So, if you think you aren’t good enough to try something that requires perfection, remind yourself of the failures you likely encountered while learning to walk as an infant.
5. Arm Yourself with Information
Lack of knowledge is one of the most common reasons we procrastinate. You might have everything it takes to drive a car, but the lack of knowledge about how it works could prevent you from hitting the road. When you arm yourself with information, your fear will lessen, and you’ll be more willing to try things that have scared you simply because you didn’t have enough knowledge about them.
6. Failing Is Better Than Not Trying at All
Failure may leave you disheartened, but it’s still better than the regret of never trying at all. As important as it is to put in effort, never engage in self-sabotage, no matter how many times you fail. Learn to find comfort in the good and use positive thinking as a tool to prepare yourself for the possible outcomes. Life won’t be as bad as you think, even if you fail.
7. Have a Plan B
Have a backup plan if you’re scared of failing at plan A. You’ll feel more confident facing your fears when you know you have another option to fall back on.
Combating your fears isn’t a one-day task. It’s an ongoing process that requires self-awareness. You may not have realized it yet, but deep down, you know what’s been holding you back from achieving what you’ve always wanted. If your fear of failure is one of those obstacles, now is the time to take action against it.