4 Powerful Ways to Overcome the Fear of Failure
How to overcome the fear of failure?
Let’s try this exercise:
1. Recall a time you avoided something out of fear of failing.
Like:
→ A job opportunity
→ A new career challenge
→ Or just trying something new
Let’s say you were offered a chance to lead a big project at work.
But you turned it down because you were worried you’d mess it up.
2. Now, let’s dig a little deeper.
Grab a pen and paper.
Ask yourself:
→ What feelings came up for me in that moment?
→ Was I anxious? Scared?
→ Did I feel like I wasn’t good enough?
Write down whatever comes to mind.
For example:
“I felt worried that I wasn’t skilled enough to handle the project.
The idea of making a mistake makes me feel like… um…
like I might embarrass myself in front of my colleagues.”
3. Now, think about what you did to avoid those uncomfortable feelings.
Or think about what you didn’t do.
Ask yourself:
→ Did I distract myself?
→ Did I convince myself it wasn’t a big deal?
You know, maybe you focused on something else instead.
Maybe you just avoided thinking about the project.
Maybe you told yourself that staying in your current role was safer.
Or maybe you spent extra time on tasks you were already good at.
Why?
Well, maybe to distract yourself from the challenge.
It’s okay — we’re human.
4. Now, let’s think about how that avoidance worked out for you.
Ask yourself:
→ Did avoiding the challenge help me feel better in the long run?
→ Or did it leave me feeling stuck or frustrated?
Maybe at first, you felt relieved that you didn’t have to face the challenge.
But later, you felt frustrated that you missed the opportunity.
Maybe you wondered if you missed a chance to prove yourself.
Just be honest with yourself.
5. After going through this exercise, take a moment to reflect.
Ask yourself:
→ Did I notice patterns in avoiding things due to fear of failure?
→ What might have happened if I had faced the challenge instead?
→ How can I approach similar situations differently in the future?
Maybe next time, try tackling a smaller part of the challenge first.
Or seek support from a colleague.
This exercise can help overcome the fear of failure.
And remember: it’s okay to feel a bit of fear.
It means you care about it.