This blog post from 3+ years ago is now obsolete… i figured out fear of failure fix, see video below! – jl
I have blogged in the past about fear of failure but as I look into this issue I keep stumbling over the same thing so I thought I would look at it again.
I am realizing more and more that fear of failure is actually fear of displeasing people in authority, or fear of exposing one’s vulnerability. It’s fear of shame and disconnection, not of the failure itself. Once you make that distinction, you can start to use trial and error methods to much greater effect, as you will no longer be afraid of experimenting.
I realize failure is sometimes failure of a large new project, but who said all big projects must succeed? If you have failed once or twice, well, congratulations, that proves you’re human. We all make mistakes and fail, and while some folks are ashamed of that, there’s no reason for you to be.
I no longer get “writer’s block” because when i get stuck, i put rough drafts out for people to read and criticize, and I observe their reactions. Yes, what they read is a failure, but in seeing how and why an idea fails, I often get input, guidance, and ideas on why it is a failure and how to fix it. People love to point out errors and offer advice, and you’re crazy not to take advantage of that infinite resource.
I put a video up on youtube of me talking to some folks about failure, you can see it below . . . even this was a failure in that it was not perfect and could be better, but with all its imperfections I am still miles ahead of all the folks who are still getting ready to get ready. — justin
