Image: gemini ai
Everyone experiences failure at some point. We might not always see it as a big deal, but it's something common to us all. The word itself can bring up different feelings, from a little bit of disappointment to a really strong fear. What's interesting is that sometimes, these failures can even lead us to discover new things.
When it comes to failing, I definitely think it's easier to do it privately rather than in front of everyone. One reason for this is the level of preparedness we feel is necessary when the public is involved. There's a natural pressure to have everything in order and avoid embarrassment when others are watching.
I remember a friend of mine who once volunteered to finish a science project for our group. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, and he ended up ruining it. Luckily for us, our understanding teacher gave us a 3 out of 5, while the other groups scored higher. But I often think about how much worse the frustration and disappointment in their eyes would have been if that failure had happened during an interschool competition, with everyone watching.
Personally, the fear of failure has definitely caused me to stop pursuing things multiple times. This fear often stems from considering the potential negative outcomes of my efforts. Sometimes, it's the worry about the persecution or criticism I might face if things don't go well. Other times, it's the very real possibility of failure leading to significant damage or negative consequences.
This fear of what others might think, especially within my immediate community, has also stopped me on many occasions. I remember once, my neighbor's generator was clearly having carburetor issues – the black smoke and difficulty starting were telltale signs. I actually knew I could probably fix it, having worked on similar problems with my dad or brother before. However, the thought of attempting it alone, with no one to guide me, filled me with anxiety. I knew that if I made a mistake and caused further damage, my name would likely become synonymous with that failure in the neighborhood, even though my intention was purely to help. That fear of being labeled or judged ultimately stopped me from even trying.
Ultimately, I believe overcoming the fear of failure is a matter of mindset. It requires a fundamental shift in perspective, understanding that failure isn't a finality but rather a part of the learning process. In fact, failure can often serve as a crucial stepping stone towards success, as long as one doesn't give up. I think it's important to emphasize progress over the unattainable ideal of perfection. This is one of the reasons why I truly appreciate communities like Drawaday and Freewriters 💯, which seem to foster an environment that values effort and growth over flawless outcomes.