Fear of Failure
My bestfriend Kyle Kolacek and I took Ballroom dance together when I was in High School. Every Tuesday night we met with Maxine Scott to practice the Foxtrot, Tango, Rumba, Waltz, and of course Swing. I’ll never forget our instructor’s name because she said it was like Maxi-pads and Scott Tissue = Maxine Scott.
Around that same time, Kyle and I were die hard Objectivists – living in our own self-created world of Randian Values and Ideals. And we knew this boy – a boy who reminded us both of Howard Roark or Francisco D’Anconia. His name was Trey Taylor – and we both idealized him. One night, I don’t even remember how it came about, the three of us went Ballroom Dancing at The Roaring 20′s in San Antonio. We sang, we danced, we ate, we laughed – we sat at a round table in the corner talking about the future we would create. We were naive and passionnante. We thought we were going to change the world.
Trey talked about his plans to mine natural resources in space, and I talked about how I was going to write a book that was going to change the way people thought, and Kyle talked about something equally spectacular. It’s funny how the memories of even our most cherished moments fade in time. But, in the midst of all our fool hardy jubilation, I remember this voice in my head asking – “But what if you fail?”. Even at the tender and naive age of 17, I was scared that one day I would ultimately FAIL.
I’m no less afraid of failure now, then I was then – with one exception. I’m lucky enough to live, work, and play in a culture that considers Failure a Badge of Honor. In the tech space – taking risks and failing is considered par for the course. It’s how innovation happens. It’s how disruptive, mankind altering technologies are created.
But I’ve also played in the traditional corporate space, where Failure is still frowned upon. As the Creative Class continues to rise, that mentality will change, but in the meantime how do you conquer your Fear of Failure?
- Ask Yourself – What’s The Worst That Can Happen? Sometimes overcoming our fears of failure is as simple as asking – what the worst thing that can happen? For example, I recently gave up my home, belongings, and just about everything to go on an Adventure – a Spiritual Journey called Twilight & Tea. When I first embarked on this quest, all I could think about was – what happens if I fail? What if I don’t complete all 13 months? What if I can’t find a Bed & Breakfast to stay at one month – where will I live? What if the book I write is no good (by the way – I revisit that fear just about daily)? But to get myself to take action and at least try – I asked – “What the Worst That Can Happen?” The answer: I could end up homeless (wait I would already be homeless). I could end up a laughing stock of my community. I could end up broke, without clients, and fat from all those breakfasts. And I decided – if that’s the worst thing I was facing – it was completely worth the risk.
- Ask Better Questions. Instead of saying how can I get the money to start my own business? Ask – how can I start my business with what I have now? Instead of wondering what people will think if you fail, ask yourself how good will it feel if I succeed? Tiny shifts in focus can be powerful motivators. And this all starts with the questions we ask ourselves.
- Take A Lesson From Edison & Chumbawamba. You all know the Edison quote about not failing but finding 1000 ways how not to do something. But here’s an even better mantra from a British anarcho-punk pop band, “I Get Knocked Down. But I Get Up Again. You’re Never Gonna Keep Me Down”. The difference between the people who Change The World and the ones who just talk about it, is that the ones Who Change The World Get Up Again…No Matter How Many Times They Are Knocked Down.
How do you overcome your Fears of Failure?
Popularity: 2% [?]
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!If You Like This Article, You Might Also Like:
Erica OGrady is the CXO of Peanut Butter Media. She is currently HOMELESS while working on a project called Twilight & Tea. Erica is a Writer, Adventurer, Explorer who Still Believes in Santa and Following Your Bliss -- For more information Text ERICAOGRADY to 50500
