3 reasons to stop fearing failure

Failure, for many people, is seen in a wholly negative light. It is viewed as the worst thing that could happen in any given situation and should be avoided at all costs. Of course, it does make sense that we will not want to fail if we can help it; but should failure be seen as the ultimate defeat? I don’t think so. Rather than fearing failure, it is a much better idea to just embrace it as a part of everyday life, something that can (and does) happen despite all of our best efforts.

To help you to work out why failure shouldn’t be feared, here are three reasons why we should all stop fearing failure.

1. Fear helps us to work out what is going right and what needs changing

One of the best things that failure can give us is some insight into what we are currently putting out there into the world. No matter what it is that you are failing in - work, home life, education or just some big plans that you have - there is a good chance that you may be failing because something isn’t quite right.

Without failure, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to think about what it is that may be working well for us or the things that we really need to change. Sometimes these things are a little on the obvious side, but equally, they could be something that you haven’t even considered or thought about in the past. Exactly what you need to get to your end goal.

2. Fear helps you find out who you can trust around you

Whilst you are likely to have lots of people around you when riding the success wave, it is the ones that are there when things don’t quite work out that are going to be the most valuable. The only real way that you can find out who you can trust to be there for you is to actually need them to be there for you. This is something that failure can show you.

Those trusted friends and family members who are not just with you for the high life are going to be the ones that you can turn to when you need some support. This could be anything from a hug, some kind words, advice or perhaps just someone to give you a much-needed kick to keep going when things feel pretty hopeless.

3. It helps you face fear in general

Compared to other fears (or should we say phobias), failure isn’t one that you may be able to identify. However, the fear of failure is just as real and emotionally significant as other fears. Not only this, but it is one that may be somewhat easier to face than others.

When you continue to do something, even if there is a chance that it might all go wrong, then you are faced with failure; you are facing a fear head-on. This not only helps you to move past whatever it is that you are failing at or allows you to take it from an entirely different approach, but it also helps you in your future too.

Once you have been brave enough to face the idea of not succeeding, then you may find it much easier to do it in the future with other things that frighten you.