People who are overly afraid of failure usually display these 7 behaviors (without realizing it)

They say that failure is not an option. But let me tell you something.

This is not only unrealistic but can also be quite harmful.

Here’s why.

Being overly afraid of failure can lead to certain behaviors, that, believe it or not, might be holding you back more than you realize.

So, if you’re sitting there wondering “Why do I keep sabotaging my own success?” or “Why is it so hard for me to take the next step?”, know that you’re not alone.

In this article, we will explore seven behaviors commonly exhibited by individuals who have a heightened fear of failure. You might be surprised to find out how many of these behaviors you unknowingly display.

Remember, awareness is the first step towards transformation. So, let’s dive right in.

Take a deep breath and prepare for some enlightening insights into your own fear of failure. Trust me; self-awareness can be a game-changer in your journey towards self-improvement and personal growth.

Now, are you ready to face your fears?

1) Procrastination rules their world

Ever notice how sometimes, the more important a task is, the more likely we are to put it off?

Interestingly, this isn’t laziness. It’s fear.

Let me explain.

When we’re overly afraid of failing, we tend to delay starting tasks. We procrastinate. And it’s not because we’re lazy, but because we’re scared of not doing well.

Procrastination becomes our safety blanket, protecting us from the potential disappointment or embarrassment of failure.

It’s a classic sign of fear of failure and something that many of us do without even realizing it. So next time you find yourself delaying a task, ask yourself: “Am I really tired or just scared?”

Being honest with yourself in these moments can help you tackle your fear head-on, leading to personal growth and mindfulness.

2) Perfectionism becomes an obsession

Here’s a little story about me.

There was a time when I would spend hours obsessing over every detail of a project. I wanted everything to be perfect. No, it had to be perfect.

I’d lose sleep, skip meals, and ignore my friends just to make sure every ‘i’ was dotted and every ‘t’ was crossed.

Sounds like dedication, right?

Wrong.

What I didn’t realize then was that my pursuit of perfection wasn’t about dedication; it was about fear. Fear of making a mistake. Fear of being judged. Fear of failure.

Perfectionism, in truth, is just another manifestation of this fear.

So if you find yourself striving for perfection to the point where it starts affecting your health, relationships, or peace of mind – take a step back.

It’s okay to strive for excellence but remember that mistakes are a part of the process and help us learn and grow. After all, we’re humans, not robots, and it’s our imperfections that make us unique.

3) They avoid risks at all costs

Let’s face it.

Life can sometimes feel like a high-stakes game of poker. You’re dealt a hand, and you’ve got to decide: Do I go all in, or do I fold?

For those who fear failure, the answer is often to fold.

Why gamble when you can play it safe, right?

But here’s the thing.

Avoiding risks might keep you safe from failure, but it also keeps you safe from success.

Think about it.

Every great achievement in history came with risk. Every scientific discovery, every world record, every groundbreaking invention – they all involved stepping into the unknown and braving the possibility of failure.

So if you find yourself consistently avoiding risks, it might be time to reevaluate your fear of failure.

Stepping outside your comfort zone can be scary, but it’s also where the magic happens. Remember, the biggest risk is not taking any risk at all.

4) They overthink everything

 

Ever found yourself stuck in a loop of endless thoughts, analyzing and re-analyzing every possible outcome of a situation?

Welcome to the club.

Overthinking is like a silent epidemic among those who fear failure. It’s a relentless cyclone of ‘what ifs’ and ‘buts’ that keep us immobilized.

On the surface, it may seem like careful planning. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that it’s often just a disguise for our fear of making mistakes.

The truth is, overthinking rarely leads to better outcomes. It just leads to more stress, anxiety, and indecision.

So, if you find yourself trapped in the cycle of overthinking, take a deep breath. Step back for a moment.

Remember, it’s okay to make mistakes. That’s how we learn and grow.

Don’t let your fear of failure rob you of the joy of spontaneity and the thrill of making decisions on the fly. Life is too short for ‘what ifs’.

5) They constantly compare themselves to others

Did you know that a study conducted by the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that comparing ourselves to others is a surefire way to damage our self-esteem, motivation, and overall mental health?

Yet, this is exactly what people afraid of failure tend to do.

They look at their peers, their colleagues, even strangers on the internet and think – “Why can’t I be as successful as them?”

This constant comparison acts as a measuring stick for success and failure. But here’s the kicker- it’s a measuring stick that always leaves us feeling short.

It’s important to remember that everyone is on their own unique journey. Comparing your chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 20 isn’t fair to you or your progress.

So next time you find yourself falling into the comparison trap, remind yourself that your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.

Success isn’t about being better than someone else; it’s about being better than you were yesterday.

6) They struggle to celebrate their achievements

You’ve worked hard, you’ve achieved something great, and everyone around you is celebrating. But you? You’re already worrying about the next big thing.

Sound familiar?

People who fear failure often find it hard to bask in the glow of their achievements. They downplay their success, brush off compliments and immediately shift their focus to the next challenge.

This constant pressure to keep achieving can be exhausting, and what’s worse, it can rob you of the joy and satisfaction that comes with accomplishing a goal.

So if you find yourself struggling to acknowledge your achievements, take a moment. Breathe.

Give yourself permission to celebrate your wins, no matter how small. Each step forward, each goal achieved is a testament to your hard work and dedication.

Remember, it’s okay to pause and pat yourself on the back. You deserve it. You’ve earned it. And no fear of failure should take that away from you.

7) They are overly self-critical

The harshest critic you will ever encounter is staring back at you in the mirror.

People who fear failure often have an inner voice that’s constantly pointing out their flaws, magnifying their mistakes, and belittling their accomplishments.

This relentless self-criticism can be crippling. It can make us doubt our abilities, lower our self-esteem, and ultimately, hold us back from reaching our full potential.

But here’s the most important thing to remember: Your worth is not determined by your mistakes.

It’s determined by your resilience, your capacity to learn from those mistakes, and your unwavering determination to keep moving forward.

So next time that inner critic raises its voice, silence it with self-compassion. Be kind to yourself. You’re doing the best you can. And that’s more than enough.

Embracing the journey

If you recognize some of these behaviors in yourself, know that you’re not alone.

The fear of failure is a deeply ingrained part of our human nature. But it’s important to remember that this fear doesn’t have to control your life.

With awareness and dedication, you can shift your perspective on failure. You can learn to see it not as a terrifying end, but as an opportunity for growth and self-improvement.

Start by acknowledging your fear. Notice when it shows up and how it influences your behavior. Be honest with yourself about the habits you’ve developed in response to this fear.

Then, challenge these habits.

Ask yourself – am I avoiding risks because I’m genuinely uninterested, or because I’m afraid of failing? Am I striving for perfection, or am I trying to evade criticism?

Remember, it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to fail. As Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

So take that risk. Make that mistake. Fail and fail again.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about avoiding failure. It’s about embracing the journey, learning from our experiences, and becoming the best version of ourselves.

And in this journey of self-discovery and transformation, remember to be kind to yourself. After all, we’re all works in progress.