When it comes to taking actionable steps towards making significant lifestyle shifts, many people get stuck because they are afraid of failing. If fear of failure is holding you back and limiting your beliefs about what you can accomplish, ask yourself this:
I think many women are unaware that they are perpetuating this self-afflicting condition and how it prevents them from achieving the level of success they desire. Maybe it has to do with societal expectations of women. Within your immediate circle and beyond, is your voice valued? Perhaps there’s some fear around what others might say if you mess up, so you’ve decided not to try. Have you said things like: “I’d like to organize a social justice campaign, but what if my efforts are unsuccessful”? Or, “I had a great idea for starting a green housekeeping service, but it didn’t work out, so I gave up.” Sound familiar?
This type of fear can show up in a variety of ways. You may not recognize fear of failure because it’s deceitful. It can be disguised as apathy, complacency or perfectionism. It can also be camouflaged as distorted reality. In other words, fear of failure can trick you into discarding your dream or pretending not to care. Its ultimate charge is to keep you stuck and unfulfilled. Don’t be fooled!
So what can you do?
First, understand that you’re going to slip, fall and fumble. Making mistakes is inevitable because you’re doing a new thing. You must keep at it until you get it right! For example, how many falls does a toddler take before he or she can walk independently? Have you forgotten how many trials it took to balance yourself on your first bike? And remember that lengthy process you endured when memorizing the Preamble to the Constitution? At the time, it seemed impossible, right? But you did it! And I bet you can think of other examples of triumph? Personal and professional development can be messy and require many trials before success.
Don’t be afraid of the process. We were born to persevere! Recapture that childlike spirit.
What has helped me to grow beyond the hopeless mindset of fear of failure is to change my view of defeat. I experienced many obstacles when I decided to launch Lifestyle 120 in 2015. But what I learned is there’s a grail hidden in fail. In other words, your breakdowns are merely trials leading to your breakthrough. When we change our perspective, we get a different result. Thomas Edison once said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Don’t let this be your story.
You are powerful beyond measure!
Be an example for other mature, seasoned sisters. Tell yourself that you can succeed at anything you put your heart and soul and mind into. And most importantly, believe it!
Consider This
Are you really afraid of failure, or are you afraid of discovering just how magnificent and talented you truly are? One sure way to fail is to stop trying. If you give up now, you’ll never know what you’re made of. Discover how brilliant you are. Don’t drop your dream!
Four Steps to Nourish, Transform and Flourish
• Set a loving intention to go after a project or dream you put on hold.
• Begin by establishing a can-do attitude.
• How will rising above your limited beliefs or fear of failure help you feel more powerful?
• Close your eyes and visualize how this lifestyle change can prepare you for your amazing second half.
Need help moving forward with confidence?
It can be challenging to maintain momentum on your own. My Sprout Your New Life™ course will give you the tools and the strong spiritual foundation to make lasting change in your life. Click here for more.
In love, peace and health--
Your feminine glow guide,
T. Kari Mitchell, M.Ed.
Motivational Speaker
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Lifestyle120.com
When your spirit is nourished, your inner light produces an outer glow reflecting your beauty and truth.