Fear of failure has been my greatest foe, especially as a creative professional. I refused to let it defeat me so I have spent the last year delving into the best strategies to overcome fear for good! Interested? Here’s what I’ve learned so far.
The importance of failure in the creative process
It’s important to understand that failure is an integral part of the creative process. Many successful artists, writers, and musicians have experienced failure and rejection multiple times before achieving success. Embracing the idea that failure is not the opposite of success, but rather a necessary step towards it can help to alleviate some of the fear associated with failure.
Failure can provide valuable lessons and feedback that can help to improve one’s work. As author J.K. Rowling once said, “It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.”
Identifying and confronting the source of fear
It’s essential to identify the source of one’s fear of failure. Is it a fear of judgment or criticism? A fear of not living up to one’s own expectations? Understanding the root cause of the fear can help in addressing it head-on.
For example, if the fear is based on a fear of judgment, it can be helpful to remind oneself that art is subjective and that not everyone will like every piece of work. It’s also important to recognize that criticism can be constructive and can help to improve one’s work.
“Write your own part. It is the only way I’ve gotten anywhere. It is much harder work, but sometimes you have to take destiny into your own hands. It forces you to think about what your strengths really are, and once you find them, you can showcase them, and no one can stop you.”
Mindy Kaling
Building resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges. Creative individuals can build resilience by setting achievable goals, celebrating small wins, and reframing failures as opportunities for growth and learning.
It’s important to recognize that setbacks and failures are a normal part of the creative process and that it’s possible to bounce back from them.
“The main rule of writing is that if you do it with enough assurance and confidence, you’re allowed to do whatever you like. So write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly, and tell it as best you can. I’m not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter.”
Neil Gaiman
The book “Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder” by Nassim Nicholas Taleb provides a unique perspective on building resilience and overcoming the fear of failure. Here are some key takeaways from the book that can be applied to these topics:
Embrace uncertainty
Taleb argues that life is inherently unpredictable and that trying to eliminate all uncertainty is a futile pursuit. Instead, he suggests embracing uncertainty and learning to adapt to change. This can help to build resilience and reduce fear of failure, as individuals learn to accept the inherent unpredictability of the creative process.
Emphasize trial and error
Taleb also emphasizes the importance of trial and error in the learning process. He argues that experimentation and failure are crucial for discovering what works and what doesn’t. This can help to reduce the fear of failure, as individuals learn that failure is a natural part of the learning process.
Avoid over-optimization
Taleb cautions against over-optimizing, or trying to create a perfect system that eliminates all potential sources of failure. He argues that this approach can actually increase the risk of failure, as it creates a false sense of security and reduces the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Instead, he suggests creating systems that are robust and adaptable, and that can withstand a certain degree of uncertainty and disruption.
Focus on the upside of failure
Taleb also emphasizes the idea of “antifragility,” or the ability to not just survive but thrive in the face of uncertainty and disruption. He argues that this can be achieved by focusing on the upside of failure, or the potential for growth and learning that comes from adversity. This can help to reduce the fear of failure, as individuals learn to see failure as an opportunity for growth and improvement.
Mindset shifts
Shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset can help to overcome the fear of failure. With a growth mindset, individuals believe that their abilities and talents can be developed through hard work and dedication. This mindset allows for more flexibility and openness to learning from mistakes and failures.
Do you have a growth mindset? Here’s how to get it
Practicing vulnerability
Vulnerability can be a scary concept, but it’s an essential component of the creative process. By sharing one’s work and ideas with others, creative individuals are opening themselves up to criticism and rejection. However, practicing vulnerability can lead to deeper connections with others, more meaningful work, and personal growth.
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.”
Brene Brown
Leveraging vulnerability to overcome the fear of failure
Brené Brown’s key pieces of advice on becoming vulnerable or leveraging vulnerability to overcome the fear of failure:
Recognize that vulnerability is not weakness
Brown emphasizes that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of courage and strength. By embracing vulnerability, individuals can show up authentically and connect more deeply with others, which can help to reduce the fear of failure.
Practice self-compassion
Brown also encourages individuals to practice self-compassion when they experience fear of failure. This involves being kind and understanding to oneself, rather than beating oneself up for perceived shortcomings.
Share one’s story
Brown suggests that sharing one’s story with others can help to build connection and empathy, which can reduce fear of failure. By opening up and sharing personal experiences, individuals can show that they are not alone in their struggles and can connect with others who may be going through similar experiences.
Embrace imperfection
Brown emphasizes the importance of embracing imperfection and accepting oneself as-is. This can help to reduce fear of failure, as individuals learn to accept that they are not perfect and that failure is a natural part of the creative process.
Be authentic
Brown also encourages individuals to be authentic and true to themselves, even when it is uncomfortable or difficult. By showing up authentically, individuals can build trust and connection with others, which can reduce fear of failure.
Surrounding oneself with supportive people
Having a network of supportive people can help to alleviate the fear of failure. These individuals can offer encouragement, feedback, and perspective during the creative process. It’s important to seek out individuals who believe in one’s vision and can offer constructive criticism when necessary.
Ultimately, overcoming the fear of failure requires a willingness to take risks, embrace uncertainty, and trust the creative process.
Fear-setting: The most powerful exercise to combat fear and inaction (by Tim Ferris)
Many well-known creatives have spoken about the fear of failure, offering insights and inspiration to those struggling with the fear of failure. One of the most outspoken people on the topic of fear is Tim Ferris. This is his solution to moving past fear so you can do the thing you want to do.
Q&A: QUESTIONS AND ACTIONS
“I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.”
Mark Twain
If you are nervous about making the jump or simply putting it off out of fear of the unknown, here is your antidote.
Write down your answers, and keep in mind that thinking a lot will not prove as fruitful or as prolific as simply brain-vomiting on the page.
Write and do not edit—aim for volume. Spend a few minutes on each answer.
- Define your nightmare, the absolute worst that could happen if you did what you are considering.
- What doubts, fears, and “what-ifs” pop up as you consider the big changes you can—or need—to make?
- Envision them in painstaking detail. Would it be the end of your life?
- What would be the permanent impact, if any, on a scale of 1–10?
- Are these things really permanent?
- How likely do you think it is that they would actually happen?
- What steps could you take to repair the damage or get things back on the upswing, even if temporarily? Chances are, it’s easier than you imagine. How could you get things back under control?
- What are the outcomes or benefits, both temporary and permanent, of more probable scenarios?
- Now that you’ve defined the nightmare, what are the more probable or definite positive outcomes, whether internal (confidence, self-esteem, etc.) or external?
- What would the impact of these more likely outcomes be on a scale of 1–10?
- How likely is it that you could produce at least a moderately good outcome?
- Have less intelligent people done this before and pulled it off?
- If you were fired from your job today, what would you do to get things under financial control? Imagine this scenario and run through questions 1–3 above.
- If you quit your job to test other options, how could you later get back on the same career track if you absolutely had to?
- What are you putting off out of fear?
Usually, what we most fear doing is what we most need to do. That phone call, that conversation, whatever the action might be—it is fear of unknown outcomes that prevents us from doing what we need to do. Define the worst case, accept it, and do it. I’ll repeat something you might consider tattooing on your forehead: What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do. As I have heard said, a person’s success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have. Resolve to do one thing every day that you fear. I got into this habit by attempting to contact celebrities and famous business people for advice.
- What is it costing you—financially, emotionally, and physically—to postpone action? Don’t only evaluate the potential downside of action. It is equally important to measure the atrocious cost of inaction.
- If you don’t pursue those things that excite you, where will you be in one year, five years, and ten years?
- How will you feel having allowed circumstance to impose itself upon you and having allowed ten more years of your finite life to pass doing what you know will not fulfill you?
