How You Can Conquer the Fear of Failure
Even the greats have a fear of failure
From my experiences in sports, whether in the major leagues or running marathons, one lesson stands out: the fear of failure never disappears. However, the good news is that concentration can remarkably conquer fear. That process, however, is not easily mastered, takes time to develop, and can be employed in every walk of life. Some people never fully overcome their fears, leading to the end of trying to reach their goals. The encouraging news is that everyone can develop their focus skills through a process that can help them triumph over fear or, at the very least, lessen its impact.
When I think of athletes who can do this, I think of the greats like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Derek Jeter. You might question if they fear failure, and I would guess it is so prevalent that it drives them to be great every day. The stakes are not as high for you and me, but knowing how to concentrate through adversity makes one better today than yesterday and “great” in our own way.
Tips for conquering the fear of failure:
1. Never neglect proper rest and nutrition before a big event. As the day wears on, fatigue will win when not feeling strong.
2. Eliminate any distractions that are with you that day. Outside influences can sneak into your mind and disrupt your performance.
3. Stay in the moment. It may sound simple, but thoughts of past failures or possible negative outcomes can easily creep in. Remind yourself that you can only control the now.
4. Beforehand and during, visualize what you will do. Of course, everything “plays out differently,” but breaking things down beforehand and seeing yourself performing the task in your mind helps you do it.
5. Have a refresh mechanism. Preparing a mantra before to clear the mind when the mind wanders works wonders.
Finally, always maintain perspective. Never forget that sports and life are something you do — just one day in your life. If you have done your best that day, it’s time to move on afterward. Remember, there is always a worst-case scenario: not giving 100%.
