Unblock the Flow: Fear of Failure as a Wall. Fear is not bad, in and of itself. Fear is a defense, looks for ways to keep us safe.
Springtime is here! Here in Upstate New York, everything is popping, coming to life again. Colors are bursting. The Creative Force is in full swing, reminding us of that life is about expansion and possibility. But I am in a funk. And so, I wondered, what would happen if Nature were gripped with fear of failure? Seems like a foolish thought, but I wondered. What if nature, trees, seeds were gripped with anxiety, fear of failure, self-doubt, and a limited mindset?
As humans, we may be the only species that experiences this. I wondered? Do birds have fear of failure when they migrate halfway across the world? Do the salmon anxiety when the urge to spawn comes on. This may sound ridiculous, but so many of us, me included, find ourselves seized by this fear, anxious about trying or doing new things. SO, I decided to look at this. Fear is not bad, in and of itself. Fear is a defense, looks for ways to keep us safe. It is not a negative. However, if fear keeps us small, it is not a friend.
Fear of failure comes in a variety of flavors. Let’s examine self-doubt, anxiety and a limited mindset. I experience is as a project or idea pops up and in the following moment, we say, who am I to consider this? We begin to doubt before we even start. There is anxiety, a fluttering in our stomach as we contemplate something new. We might also have that little voice, called limited mindset about what we can do? and if we can do it.
So, what are strategies for overcoming the wall of Fear while also feeling ✨growth beckoning? Here are a few I am working on.
Reframe: Reframe the way we see failure, consider turning into a learning. It is said Edison found 10,000 ways that the lightbulb would not work. Examples of learning opportunities abound throughout history.
Set Realistic Expectations: Consider setting realistic expectations or setting incremental steps towards your goals. Breaking down goals into small steps and celebrating their achievement is a good way to keep yourself fresh and boosts confidence. It is about keeping your eyes on the end game and taking small steps.
Cultivate resilience in light of adversity: Turn breakdowns or setbacks into breakthroughs. A resilient and growth mindset steps you out of your comfort zone, and outside of the confines of familiarity. By taking calculated risks and embracing challenge, a resilient mindset sees failure not as reflection of one’s worth, but as a natural part of the learning process.
By Annabella Roig
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