Overcoming Fear of Failure

Here's how you can transform your fear of failure into decisive action (I run through this often): Your fear of failure is killing your passion. And passion is the fuel to do hard things. Have you caught yourself daydreaming about a new opportunity, only to be overwhelmed by doubt and fear? You're not alone. That's your Inner Critic trying to keep you "safe." Our Inner Critic: - Whispers lies of failure and disaster - Is great at keeping you comfortable but stuck - Robs us of fulfilling challenges and growth As an entrepreneur and former fighter pilot, I've been there. Fear was my constant companion. But my breakthrough came when I stopped seeing fear as my enemy and started using it as fuel. That mindset shift transformed my entire life. So, ask yourself: • Will I regret not chasing my dreams? • What's the long-term cost of giving in to my fears? 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. When you fail you learn. Sitting on the sidelines only leads to regret. So stop waiting until you feel ready (you'll never get there). Embrace the challenges. Do the thing. Your future self will thank you. Agree? Thoughts? Let me know in the comments! 📸 When you can hear a pin drop in a room of 1000 people as they all picture a big dream they are going to go after despite their inner critic ------------------------ Hi, I'm Michelle. I'm a former fighter pilot turned speaker, author, and coach. If you found this helpful, consider reposting ♻️ and follow me for more content like this.

Throughout my career, I've encountered numerous challenges, and I want to share one of my earliest experiences with you. My very first contract was a metal building project, but I had zero knowledge about steel buildings at that time. I sought guidance from a consultant to put together the bids and handle the project. Surprisingly, I made a big mistake and ended up bidding for just two buildings instead of the 15 needed. Despite this setback, I learned a crucial lesson: failure is not always avoidable. When we venture into uncharted territories, mistakes are inevitable. But that doesn't mean failure should be feared or avoided at all costs. Instead, we can turn it into a stepping stone for growth. In my case, even though I expected a million-dollar profit, reality was different. Yet, I benchmarked my bid against industry standards, and while my initial estimate was lower, I managed to make a profit and avoid a loss. This experience taught me that taking calculated risks and being bold are essential for personal and professional development. I remember feeling terrified when I started my journey on YouTube, but I knew it was crucial for my growth. Facing our fears head-on is the only way to progress and reach new heights. Let's debunk some common misconceptions about failure: 1. Failure is not the enemy: Often, we try to avoid failure at all costs, but adversity is a key ingredient for success. Iconic creations like the Ferrari brand, the Empire State Building, and the Panama Canal had their share of challenges, but they persisted and succeeded. 2. Failure is not irreversible: Failure in business is normal and happens to the best of us. The important thing is to learn from it, adapt, and keep going. Remember, you only need to be right once to achieve success. 3. Failure is not stigmatized: Even the most successful individuals have faced failure at some point. Take LeBron James, for example, whose image shifted drastically after overcoming setbacks and achieving greatness. 4. Failure is not final: Failure only becomes permanent when we give up. Thomas Edison's famous quote perfectly encapsulates the spirit of resilience needed to push through challenges. I recently came across an interview with Jeff Bezos, the richest person in the world. He shared a profound insight: he projected his life to the age of 80 and made decisions that would minimize future regrets. So, let's focus on pursuing opportunities, taking risks, and learning from every experience. Don't be afraid to bid on those ambitious contracts, make that important call, or deliver that game-changing presentation. The only regrets you'll have are the chances you didn't take. Embrace failure, learn from it, and let it fuel your journey to success. #failure #success #governmentcontracting #smallbusinesstips #entrepreneurship #governmentconsultant

Am I willing to fail in this business publicly?  (I’ve always had a fear of failure) When I was laid off, I made the decision to go from side hustler to full-time solopreneur. I was excited and terrified all at the same time. I took my first step of courage in this new business and posted a layoff transition video on LinkedIn. After posting the video, I felt free and determined to make this work- even without knowing how I was going to do it exactly. Then entered Fionna- my fear and inner critic. She’d show up, especially when my business wasn’t going as planned, whispering doubts and making me question everything. But even with Fionna’s voice in my head, I chose to keep going.  Why? Because even if I failed publicly, I knew I’d be closer to becoming the person I was meant to be. Why does this matter to you? If I know you, like I think I do- you fear failure. I challenge you to have the resolve to move forward despite it. Failure will happen in some shape or form. But, it isn’t bad- it’s feedback. Reflect on what went wrong and right, gather data, and use what you learned for the next go around. The fear of failure is a dream killer. Most people never start because they’re too afraid to fail. But what if we reframe failure? -What if failure was just a hurdle we needed to jump to reach the finish line? Acknowledge your fear. Give it a name (I did). But don’t let it control you. Decide that your dreams are worth the risk of failure. Drop a ❤️ if you refuse to let fear of failure stop you & comment. Pic: From my layoff to solopreneur video!

Fear of failure can keep you stuck for 30 years. Here's my trick for overcoming it: Write every fear down on paper. Get it out of your brain where it swims around, poisoning your potential. Here's what my fears looked like in November 2022 when I decided to leave a six-figure job and build in the creator economy: • What if I don't make money? • What if I made a mistake leaving? • What if I fail and become depressed? • What if I don't know what I'm doing? Now that you have your worries on paper, go back and answer your own questions. I'm already making money as a side hustle, so there is proof I can do it. I'll regret not taking this risk in 20 years, and I could always go back to finance. I probably will fail A LOT, but that's part of the process. Nobody really knows what the hell they are doing, so I'll just figure it out. Now flip it: 1) How can I make money? → Productized services. Digital offers. High-trust content that drives inbound. 2) What if this is the best decision I’ve ever made? → It might be the thing that unlocks the life I actually want. 3) What if failure makes me stronger, not broken? → Every “failure” is a system upgrade if I pay attention. 4) What if figuring it out is the entire point? → Growth doesn’t come from certainty. It comes from movement. Fear doesn’t go away. But clarity gives you power over it.

Why do you fear failure? Actually, it’s not the failure that is the problem; it is the "fear" that becomes the problem: Fear of what will happen Fear of what people will say Fear of what will change Fear of what you will miss out on if you fail Fear of being judged Fear of peer pressure to not fail All of the above are the actual reasons we do not want to fail. I have gone through all of these, and they have made me do the following: Take on only things that I am 100% sure I will succeed at Play it safe, not bold, as taking risks could mean failure Always undercommit so I can deliver on par (never think of going beyond) Result: Mediocre The day I told myself I would not "fear" failure, I could do the following: Not worry about what will happen, therefore experiment Ignore what people will say, so more confidence Embrace change because that's the only constant Not worry about being judged, so I could take bold actions In fact, when I stopped thinking about what would happen if I failed, I started doing things that surprised me. I even started enjoying little risks and felt proud of failing, as it gave me an opportunity to improve! What is your story? #failures #risks #experiments #vttalks

🌟 𝐘𝐞𝐬, 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 🌟 The clients I see for coaching are usually working professionals who are experiencing quarter or mid-life crises. The sudden feeling of being stuck at work. It’s too easy to fall into the trap of self-doubt and fear. Thoughts like → "I can't do this," → "What will others think?" → “I’m not good enough” “I can’t” The fear of judgment, the vulnerability of exposure. Sounds familiar? If this is you, ask yourself the follow questions to guide your thought process: 1. What specific fears are holding you back? Is it the fear of failure, the anxiety of being judged, or something else? Naming your fears can be the first step towards addressing them. 2. Ask yourself, “What evidence do I have that supports the belief that ‘I can’t do this’?” Often, you’ll find that this belief is not grounded in reality but rather in fear. 3. What is the worst that can happen if you pursue this and don’t succeed as you hoped? How would you deal with that scenario? Sometimes, realizing that you can handle the worst-case scenario can diminish the power of fear. 4. What are your strengths and past successes? How can these strengths support you in overcoming your current fears? 5. Who can you reach out to for support, encouragement, or someone who can help change the situation? Sometimes we truly don’t have to face our fears alone, we can ask for help. 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: When was the last time you transformed anxiety and fear about a situation into courage and strength? What did you do to overcome? Share below! 😊 #positivepsychology #lifecoach #thepositivearena 𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰, 𝘐'𝘮 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘸! 𝘐 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦-𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘴, 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭 🔔 𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴. P.S. Catching a flight to KL in a while! Looking forward to my short trip in Malaysia! Have a great weekend everyone!

Failure is not the opposite of success. Rather, it is part of the journey, and I learned this the hard way. Early into my CEO role, I faced a significant setback in my leadership role. We had a project ongoing and I was very optimistic that it would sail through and generate the funds we needed to run the organization and help us achieve our annual goals. However, despite our best efforts as a team, the project did not succeed. It was a devastating blow to my self-confidence. I felt like I had let everyone down, and the fear of being seen as a failure was overwhelming. In the midst of my disappointment, I needed to step back and reevaluate everything. At the organizational level, we had to look at why the strategy had failed, pick our lessons and find a new strategy. At a personal level, is where the hard work was. I had to look at Anna again, to figure out if the failure defined me, or if I was still amazing Anna, and learn from it. I also sought mentorship from some of the senior leaders around me, allowed myself to be open about my mistakes and learn a new. I read about leaders who had experienced failure and saw how they rose up again. I also started embracing a growth mindset , understanding that failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. Through this process, I discovered that fear can paralyze us. It can cause us to become fearful, and full of doubts about our abilities. I learnt that confronting and learning from fear released and propelled me to new heights. I was able to regain my confidence as I committed to continuous improvement. The experience made me more empathetic and effective leader, capable of navigating challenges with resilience and grace. In talking about failing forward, John Maxwell reminds us: 'Failing forward is the ability to get back up after you have been knocked down, learn from your mistakes and move forward in a better direction. A righteousness man will fall seven times and rise up again. Embracing failure when it happens as a learning opportunity rather than a final verdict allowed me to grow and succeed beyond my setback. Don't fear failure. Use it as a tool to build a stronger, wiser version of yourself. Incase you need help and support, DM and let's get your confidence back. #leadership #leaders #womeninleadership #management #careers

Overcoming our fears is hard. Agreed? It can hold us back from accomplishing the things we truly want in life. We start to play a mental game with ourselves and make excuses why we can't do it. The best way to overcome our fears isn't what most of us want to hear. I for sure wish there was another way... It's showing up and facing them head-on. My biggest fear growing up was public speaking in front of groups larger than 2 people. For a long time, I let the fear overcome me and the results weren't great. I was the excuse king for why I couldn't give a presentation and why I needed the smallest speaking part in a group project. I was the guy in college who enjoyed an Excel spreadsheet and a cup of coffee more than I liked talking with others. So getting up in front of people and speaking gave me an enormous amount of anxiety and left me sweating, shaking, and turning a bright red, like the first sunburn of summer. Here are 5 steps that helped me overcome my fears ⤵ ✅ 1) Recognized the fear and wanted to change I admitted I feared public speaking and wanted to change. We can't change if we don't want to. ✅ 2) Found others who were already successful in this arena. Overcoming a fear is already hard, and trying to do it alone is even harder. I wasn't gonna tackle this beast without having people in my corner. ✅ 3) Came up with an action plan that had accountability in it If we fail to plan, we are planning to fail. I devised different strategies to practice and level up in this area. ✅ 4) Implemented the plan from step 3 We will grow the most from taking action. Action cures fear! ✅ 5) Reflected After implementing take time to reflect to see what is working and what changes may be needed. Recognize how far you've come... it's easy to get caught up in all the areas you still want to overcome and improve on. ~~~ Now I wish I could say this took 5 weeks and I overcame my fear. It took a couple of years of repeating steps 3-5 to overcome it. However, each time I got to step 5, I got more confident. Overcoming a fear takes a lot of persistence and grace. The worst thing you can do is to constantly beat yourself up because you'll automatically start to develop a lot of self-doubt. Thankfully I did overcome my fear because I went from being scared out of my mind speaking in front of a small group (less than 5 people) to regularly speaking in front of groups of 25 plus up to 200 people. Plus it's provided me a lot more confidence in the corporate world where I'm constantly talking to small groups whether it be a presentation or a meeting. What's the fear that you want to tackle next in your journey? Let's hear it in the comments below ⤵ #learnandimplement 🤓

Here's how I went from being a doubtful graduate to building a 7-figure business. Overcoming the fears that once held me back has made all the difference in my life and career! → Back in 2012, as a fresh graduate, I found myself staring at my laptop, unsure of where to begin. → In 2014, I took a leap of faith and founded my own professional coaching and speaking practice. → After a decade of experience, today I can proudly say that my students and I have achieved over 7-figures in Done Deals online. Most of us face fears that make it hard to take the first step. But to succeed, we must overcome these 5 fears that I encountered along the way: 1️⃣ Fear of Failure → Embrace failure as a crucial part of the learning process. Each misstep is a valuable lesson guiding you toward success. 2️⃣ Fear of Judgement → Understand that others' opinions are reflections of their own limitations, not yours. Focus on your journey and let your results speak for themselves. 3️⃣ Fear of Selling Yourself (or being a sell-out) → Recognize that your skills and services offer real value. Selling is simply sharing that value with those who need it the most. 4️⃣ Fear of Being Too Exposed (Known) → Leverage visibility to build trust and credibility. The more people know you, the more opportunities you create for growth and impact. 5️⃣ Fear of Running Out of What to Say → By staying engaged in your field, new insights and trends will always emerge. There's always something fresh and meaningful to share. Do not be afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still. Remember, overcoming these fears is a journey. Each step brings you closer to your goals. How do you overcome these fears for personal and professional growth? Let's discuss! P.s. ✍🏻 I am Benjamin Loh, CSP, a strategic growth coach and consultant who has taught over 65,000 leaders in over 20 global cities and constructed some of the leading icons (TOT, Award Winners) in the financial industry in Asia through the power of authentic storytelling and authority building. 💪 Follow me for personal brand and growth insights. #topofmind #millennials #business

If you're scared of public speaking, then watch this video. I used to be petrified of public speaking. I can't tell you how many opportunities I missed out on out of fear that I'd make a mistake or look dumb. Things really changed for me when I started looking at failure as feedback rather than a setback. Every stumble, awkward pause, or mispronunciation teaching me something valuable. So, I decided to flip the script. Instead of avoiding failure, I sought after it. I practiced relentlessly, spoke at small gatherings, and even recorded myself to critique and improve. Gradually, those shadows of fear began to fade. Public speaking became not just manageable but empowering. I turned a significant weakness into one of my greatest strengths by flipping the script. In business, the same principle applies. The skills you need to grow aren't always innate—they're developed through persistence and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Whether it's mastering a new marketing strategy or refining your leadership abilities, embracing failure can and will accelerate your growth. Don't let the fear of failure dim your potential. Practice, persevere, and let each experience illuminate your path forward. Turn on the light, and watch those intimidating shadows disappear.