Connect with us

Success Advice

It’s Time to Stop Letting the Fear of Failure Derail Your Success

Published

on

Image Credit: Unsplash

If you’re going to create success in your life, you have to realize that nothing is stopping you from accomplishing all of your significant goals and living a life of freedom. You can live a life you’ve always dreamed of. We live in an incredible time that’s full of opportunities to grow. We have access to information, education, software, and tools in a way that makes what was once out of reach, possible for any willing to put in the work.

We have complete and mostly free access to the Internet, social media, podcasts, books, videos, blogs, virtual training, and other forms of inspiration. The knowledge we have access to takes the guesswork out of learning how to create success. We have access to resources and the ability to get help. These resources eliminate the old school gatekeepers that stopped success-seekers in the past.

However, with all of these opportunities and abilities, too many people settle for life. This life could best be described as merely existing through each day. People aren’t setting big enough goals and have bought into the false belief that this kind of life is impossible. One of the main reasons too many don’t pursue a life of growth is because a fear of failure keeps them from believing it’s possible and then taking action on that belief. 

Each of us struggles with a fear of failure in some form or fashion. The fear of failure keeps us from starting and pursuing the best version of ourselves. Here’s what the fear of failure does and how to overcome it. 

“I’ve come to believe that all my past failure and frustration were actually laying the foundation for the understandings that have created the new level of living I now enjoy.” – Tony Robbins

The fear fuels your self-limiting beliefs

As humans, we have limiting beliefs we have to overcome to achieve success and accomplish our goals. These limiting beliefs tend to be rooted in what we perceive are the obstacles that hold us back. The fear of failure intensifies what we struggle with and convinces us our beliefs are a reality.

Here’s the thing, they don’t have to be. You can overcome a fear of failure and beat any limiting beliefs by taking action despite how you feel. Growth starts when you believe anything is possible in your life. It can become a reality when you do the hard work and take consistent action. 

You win the battle against your fear by consistently doing the work of becoming the best version of yourself. Consistency and a strong desire to accomplish more will lead to the success you’re seeking. 

The fear keeps you stuck in the past

The fear of failure has an interesting way of making every situation seem like it’s not working out no matter what we try. It creates this disturbing feeling that where you are in life is all that you’ll be able to accomplish. It drudges up all your past failures and poor decisions. The fear tries to convince you that staying stuck will help you avoid being put back in the same place. 

When you experience setbacks, close your eyes, breathe, and find your happy place. Use those moments to understand life isn’t over, and you can overcome momentary setbacks. You are powerful. 

You can continue your path to success despite whatever happened in the past. Your current reality doesn’t have to be a permanent place. If you decide to move past your fear of failure, you can leave the past in the past where it belongs as you focus on a future full of success. 

“Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street.” – Zig Ziglar

The fear convinces you that halfway is good enough

It’s not easy to make changes that lead to a successful life, better relationships, more money, and creating all the things that success means to you. There are going to be more than a few times when settling feels like an option. 

The fear of failure will make you rationalize all that you said you wanted to accomplish as you experience resistance. Working on becoming the best version of yourself will probably be one of the most challenging paths you can pursue. You will experience failure, it may be public, and it has the potential to leave scars.

However, the life and rewards you are waiting for are more significant than settling for a life of regret. It’s time to stop letting the fear of failure keep you from doing the work and overcoming difficult circumstances. 

Fear is a natural human emotion, but it can be an asset you use instead of something that keeps you stuck. Fear can keep you alert and help you make sure you maintain a solid plan of growth. 

Any major goal won’t come easy, and that’s good. Through struggle, you learn gratitude for what you worked harder to accomplish. You’ll never get rid of the fear of failure completely, but you can take action despite it. It’s time to step into your power and claim a life with no regrets. It’s time to become the best version of yourself in every area of your life. It’s time to embrace the success path.

Tor Constantino is a former journalist, consultant and current corporate comms executive with an MBA degree and 30+ years of experience. His writing has appeared across the web on Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fortune and Yahoo!. Tor's views are his own and do not reflect those of his current employer. Join him at torconstantino.com/.

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Success Advice

Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)

The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

Published

on

Why one-size-fits-all leadership doesn’t work
Image Credit: Midjourney

Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)

Continue Reading

Success Advice

What Every New CEO Must Do in Their First 100 Days (or Risk Failure)

Your first 100 days as CEO could define your entire legacy, here’s how to make every move count

Published

on

leadership tips for new CEO
Image Credit: Midjourney

When Tim Cook took over from Steve Jobs at Apple, the world watched with bated breath. Jobs wasn’t just a CEO; he was a visionary, an icon, and a legend of innovative leadership. (more…)

Continue Reading

Entrepreneurs

The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025

Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

Published

on

Bridging the gap between employees and employers
Image Credit: Midjourney

In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”

While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.

Why This Gap Exists

Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.

What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.

Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap

Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.

1. Practice Mutual Empathy

Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.

2. Maintain Professional Boundaries

Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.

3. Follow the Golden Rule

Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.

4. Avoid Micromanagement

Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.

5. Empower Employees to Grow

Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.

6. Communicate in All Directions

Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.

7. Overcome Insecurities

Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.

8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship

True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.

9. Eliminate Favoritism

Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.

10. Recognize Efforts Promptly

Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.

11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews

When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.

12. Provide Leadership Development

Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.

13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles

Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.

The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role

Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:

  • Build diverse talent pipelines

  • Embrace flexible work models

  • Design compelling career paths

  • Simplify HR processes

  • Redefine the value HR brings

The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.

Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff

When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.

Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.

Continue Reading

Entrepreneurs

What Makes an Entrepreneurial Leader? Traits of the World’s Best Innovators

Inside the mindset of entrepreneurial leaders who transform risk, passion, and vision into world-changing results.

Published

on

entrepreneurial leadership skills and traits
Image Credit: Midjourney

When you think of Richard Branson (Virgin Group), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Steve Jobs (Apple), Rupert Murdoch (News Corporation), and Ted Turner (CNN), one thing becomes clear: they are not just entrepreneurs, they are entrepreneurial leaders. (more…)

Continue Reading

Trending