The fear of failing is real. What does failing mean to us? That we set aspiring goals that we couldn’t meet? Being unsuccessful? Or just another learning opportunity? When we set our sights high, it is natural to have the fear of failing. It can be both a motivating factor, pushing us to meet expectations, but it can also be a letdown, leaving us feeling worthless if we actually fail. It can also drive us with anxiety, dread, and hesitation along the way. However, it can also drive us to win at the end.
You Never Know Until You Try
The biggest hurdle for us in trying something different is the fear of failing. We’re used to doing the same thing because we are almost certain of the outcome, and we’re in our comfort zone. It’s the thought of the uncertainty of the outcome that gives us hesitation in making the jump. We don’t want to make the jump if it means we screwed ourselves over down the line. So make the best out of that decision and be aware of what happens along the way.
You don’t know what will happen until you try it out. You’re learning, which contributes to your overall growth. Of course, we want the most optimal path to the objective, but maybe that is supposed to be part of the storyline.
Pick something you’ve been hesitating on and take that first step. Why wait?
You don’t have to wait until the new year to try something different. The perfect moment can be now or a lot sooner. Take it at your own pace.
Want to start that business? Research on what you need to start one.
Some Progress is a Win
Progression can be messy and full of roadblocks. We’re used to instant gratification. When you’re running a marathon, you don’t sprint in the first mile. You wanted to learn about starting a business, but learned that you don’t have the necessary resources at this time. At least you now know what’s required and can start building to achieve it, brick by brick, even if you have to forge the brick yourself. This is still a win because it’s a step forward, even if it’s a small step. Celebrate the small wins.
You’ve achieved more than where you were at the starting line.
What if You’re in a Worse Position
It’s normal to worry about being in a worse position than the starting position. Taking the risk can come with losing time, money, self-esteem, stability, and more. Failing helps you learn about handling setbacks and navigating through the next steps.
I’ve been in situations where I ended up in a worse position. I made that decision to take the risk and take it as a learning opportunity. It’s hard to turn something negative into positive. It’s all about going in with a strong mindset, even if you are confident of the outcomes that didn’t turn out the way you like.
You’re still allowed to chase your dreams. If it doesn’t work out, you can try again or find inspiration for a new dream. You live and you learn.
My Take on Failing
I’ve failed so many times throughout my life. A lot of things didn’t work out the way I wanted. Many times when I didn’t get the positions I wanted, I didn’t make the right decisions, and felt like my time was wasted. I had to turn that mindset around (which took a long time), where instead of my time being wasted, I learned from it, so I can avoid making that same decision again down the line. I had to do the best I could at the time.
Of course, I felt horrible during those times. I went through the cycle, and looking back, it made me who I am today.
One of the important feedback I’ve received in my career surrounded my fear of failing. I didn’t want to do certain things because I was afraid I wouldn’t be successful. I was advised that it’s better to try than never, because you never know. What if I didn’t? I have become a day wiser from those decisions. Obviously, don’t do something outrageous unless I know the risks and wholeheartedly accept them.
One of my favorite lines is from Big Sean, “Last night took an L, but tonight I bounce back“.
To Big Sean, this line meant:
Part of winning is taking a loss, taking an L. You measure a character of a person of how they bounce back, how they handle themselves after that. That’s the true measurement of a champion. How are they gonna take that L? Is it gonna tear you down? Or is it gonna make it come back even harder? I honestly feel like this is the song overall is the soundtrack for the underdog. The underdog has been through that, the underdog has took L’s, bounced back, came back harder like a champion. I remember my manager told me, “You know what happens to the underdog? It eventually turns into the big dog.” That always stuck with me, just that mentality. Overall, the hook is a team feelin’. I wanted football teams, basketball teams, people in the gym, people who lost they money in Vegas to feel like that, to feel like, “ Alright, we comin back stronger.”
This quote hit me pretty hard and made me more comfortable with taking risks outside of my comfort zone, with the goal of becoming a better version of myself.
