You've been dreaming about starting your own business for a while now, or you want to launch this new big thing like a podcast or write a book, but you just can't seem to get started. Know that you’re not alone, because a lot of people struggle facing their fear of failure. So, today, I’ll be sharing 3 tips with you on how to stop your fear of failure from taking hold on your actions.
1. Recognize your excuses for what they are
In order to stop your fear of failure of blocking your dreams from happening, it’s crucial you recognize the different disguises this fear takes on. For example, excuses. When you’re afraid of failing, you’ll think of a million excuses not to have to go through with whatever it is you’re dreaming of.
The trick lies within hacking yourself and making sure you HAVE to go through with whatever you were planning. Take going to the gym for the first time as an example:
- You think you won’t be able to do the exercises
- You’re afraid people will laugh at you
- You’re afraid it won’t have any effect
But you’re not experiencing any effects now, because you’re not doing anything. You won’t be able to do the exercises if you don’t try. So, find a way to hack yourself to just do whatever it is you’re fearing.
Your current situation is your worst case scenario
When you want to achieve something and your fear of failure is stopping you, you need to realize one thing: where you are right now is your worst case scenario. A lot of people have a side hustle and want to expand it to their full-time occupation, but they’re afraid of quitting their current full-time job because what if their side hustle doesn’t succeed and they have to work for someone else again.
Okay, but that’s what you’re doing right now. So, how bad can it actually be?
If fear of failure is stopping you from taking a big step forward, remember that even if you stumble, chances are you won't fall into a deep ditch. You'll simply stumble back to where you are right now.
Stop letting your fear of failure hold you back from expressing your full potential.
2. Reframe your wins
Turn your actions into wins, instead of the results.
For example:
- Launching your podcast — let the launch be the win, not the podcast downloads
- Going live on Instagram — let going live be the win, not the amount of viewers
- Putting your service or product on the market — let that be your win instead of the amount of sales
Reframe your wins so you can build little blocks of confidence, so that you can break out of your comfort zone.
3. Perfection is the enemy of progress
Stop being afraid of making mistakes, because chances are you will make them. And when you do, it’s crucial you don’t succumb to self-pity.
Mistakes are opportunities to learn, to do better in the future not moments to self-criticize yourself to death.
So instead of aiming for perfection, you want to aim for progress because we're often thinking it's not the right time yet.
You’ll only learn from doing, so waiting for the perfect moment is the same as cancelling your plans. You’ll never get around to it, if you’re waiting for perfection.
Stop fear of failure in 48 hours
When you’ve created something, give yourself 48 hours and take a breather. Because at first glance, after you’re finished, you probably won’t like what you made.
But when you’ve taken a breather, you’ll give yourself the opportunity to stop your fear of failure from taking hold because you’ll be less harsh on yourself.
No one is looking at you
What if you just do the thing? Press publish, write the article, take the picture, record the podcast and put it out there.
The worst thing that could happen? People could hate it, but if you’re honest to yourself for a few minutes you’re well aware no one is actually looking at you. People are inherently hyper-focused on themselves.
Stop your fear of failure with me
If any of this spoke to you and you are someone who struggles with taking those first few steps, I’d love to invite you to my BFE™ Fast Track.
It’s a program that started it all for me and I’m relaunching it in a new and improved format. It’s 12 weeks of business coaching with me and my team for all beginning entrepreneurs who need a little guidance and some support.
Are you dreaming of becoming financially independent while enjoying what you’re doing? Then the BFE™ Fast Track will totally be up your alley.
If you're on the verge of starting something new, if you're currently struggling with your business, if you're currently yearning for that freedom but you can't seem to get it because you hate the way you've laid out your days, this program and its principles will help you break free from that.
This program will be hosted in Dutch.
Put yourself on the waitlist through: fastforwardamy.com/bfewaitlist
Watch this episode on YouTube or listen via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts, and search for episode 197 of the Play To Win podcast.
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