The fear of failure

- Bhuwan R Chataut

"Fear suppresses creativity, originality and the ability to do things differently."

"I strongly believe that dreamers and achievers prefer to fail rather than be afraid of failure."

Fear is a common tendency of the mind. Some 2200 years ago, Patanjali mentioned explicitly that there are five innate friends of the mind — greed, lust, anger, jealousy and fear. And, when mind becomes free from its master — the consciousness; it simply shows its flaws and brings misery in one or the other way. 

There are many types of fears — fear of death, fear of losing family and friends, wealth, power and control, fear of ill health, fear of rejection and criticism et cetera. Research says that the three things mankind fears most are public speaking, darkness and spiders. We are also most afraid of the fear of failure; however, failure itself is not scary. Yet, having no fear does not allow people to be cautious or careful. In fact, it compels an individual to perform far below the actual potential he has. Further, it suppresses creativity, originality and the ability to do things differently. And, ultimately, it restricts access to the next level and seizes the joy of accomplishment as well. 

Once Edison, the inventor and businessman, was asked by a French reporter about how it felt to fail 999 times. He replied with a smile, “Gentleman, I did not fail. I simply discovered 999 ways that did not work.” He ironically defined failure as learning. Then, how can one be afraid of learning? 

Most of us have played or play ‘Angry Birds’. This popular game was created only on its 52nd attempt. KFC Founder Colonel Sanders was rejected 1009 times before someone bought his idea of fried chicken. These two examples go on to show that not every failure is the be all and end all of your dreams and aspirations. 

Dynamic leaders have time and again acknowledged failure as a normal occurrence. They understand that failure is short-lived and it eventually bows down. to perseverance, diligence and perspiration. Given below are nine simple points to conquer your fear of failure: 

1. Have achievable and realistic goals and visualise the path from beginning to the end. 

2. Realize that bigger goals demand greater effort, time and energy. 

3. Start working gently, calmly and consciously. 

4. Raise your resourcefulness, build your capability continuously. 

5. Know that action is in our hands not the consequences. 

6. Accept the results gracefully; it may be failure or success. 

7. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity. 

8. Forget what others say and believe yourself. 

9. Raise your consciousness level by practicing pranayama, yoga and meditation. 

I strongly believe that dreamers and achievers prefer to fail rather than be afraid of failure. Before panic prevents you from making things happen have the power and strong desire to obliterate the panic. History is evidence of the fact that people who take risks, accept uncertainties and are courageous enough to rejoice in insecurities, experience the exuberance of life. Allow me to conclude in the words of the beloved Osho — “Live dangerously, because life thrives only when there is risk.”  

Published on The Himalayan Times - Perspectives - Leadership League ~ Sep 13, 2015,Sunday