Don’t Let Fear of Failure Stop You From Taking Risks

When is the last time you failed at something? Did you try something similar again? How did it turn out? Have you ever allowed fear of failure to prevent you from something? I get it; I really do. As a former collegiate academic advisor, I’ve supported students through all kinds of disappointment. As an Education Consultant, I’ve consoled students and families whose hopes didn’t pan out. As a Career Coach, I’ve been a sounding board for professionals who didn’t land their desired opportunity. And as a human, I’ve experienced my own share of failures in life.

Failure is hard, and it’s also inevitable. With that inevitability in mind, it’s important to foster a resolve that you can and will move successfully beyond failure throughout your life. When you accept failure as one of many possible outcomes in any endeavor, it’s easier to shift your perspective to see that the risk is often worth the reward.

What if Everyone Gave Up After Their First Failure?

Henry Ford once said, “Failure is simply an opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” It’s a good thing the following people felt the same way:

• Michael Jordan, who was cut from his high school team, missed over 9,000 shots in his career and lost 300 games. Yet, he’s known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time with 6 NBA Championships and 5 Most Valuable Player awards.

• Elvis Presley was fired after his first performance at the Grand Ole Opry. He had 18 Number 1 hits on the Hot 100 over his career.

• Oprah Winfrey was fired from her first job as a news anchor. She has her own TV channel now.

• Walt Disney was once told by an editor that he didn’t have any good ideas or imagination. Do you think there’s a single person over age 5 in the U.S. who hasn’t heard of Disney or Mickey Mouse?

• Thomas Edison’s teachers called him stupid. He held over 1,000 patents when he died.

• Steven Spielberg applied twice to the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts and was rejected both times. He directed Jaws, which was the first movie to make $100 million at the Box Office.

Search any of these names and failure, and you’ll find that they associate it with their success. Failure is often a great motivator to apply the lessons to the next endeavor. Most of us aren’t going to be the next household name, but we all have potential for great things if we put ourselves out there.

Risk Does Not Require Recklessness

Taking risks and being reckless are not at all the same thing. Risk simply means understanding that there are unknown consequences for your actions. Doing nothing at all involves risk as well. When you decide to take a chance on something, whether it’s applying to college, seeking a job opportunity, making a big move, or investing financially, you know there is an opportunity to fail or succeed. You can decrease your risk by planning, researching, networking, and creating contingencies. Sometimes, a situation calls for less planning, such as accepting an invitation to meet new people or try a new activity. 

Take care not to put yourself in harm’s way, but do take risks in life. It’s really the only way you’ll ever get anywhere.

If you just can’t get out of the Nervous Nellie attitude, schedule a call with me. I am always excited to brainstorm and provide support (maybe even a little hand holding) while you take that next risk. And if you fail? Well, let’s talk about what you’ve learned so that you can try something new. The real secret to accepting the risk you might fail is that there’s no such thing as failure if you’re always willing to learn and move forward.