How to overcome the fear of failure in 30 minutes

Fear of failure is a common experience that can hold us back from pursuing our dreams and making changes in our lives. If you feel paralyzed by this fear, know you're feeling paralyzed by this fear, know that you're not alone. Many people hesitate to leap at new opportunities due to the fear of falling short. 

You might wonder: what if this new job doesn’t work out? What if I regret moving abroad? What if I run out of money? 

But I believe fear should never stand in the way of living life to its fullest. That's why I'm sharing an effective 3-step exercise inspired by Tim Ferriss, the productivity guru and author of the bestseller “The 4-Hour Workweek.”

Ready? Set 30 minutes aside and let’s dive in!

Start by identifying the action or decision you've been avoiding. Whether it's quitting your job, moving to a new city, or starting a business, write it down as a "What if I…" statement.

Example: What if I leave my comfortable and secure job and move abroad, and it doesn’t work out? (I chose a personal example here to show you how it worked for me)

Now, grab a pen and a piece of paper, and draw a table with 3 columns: Define, Prevent, Repair.

Step 1: Define

Here, detail all the worst things that could happen if you pursue your goal. Be as specific as possible. ‘Company fails’ — is not specific enough,” says Ferriss. “Ask ‘so what?’ ‘So what?’ ‘So what?’ Let’s get into the nitty-gritty.”

Eg: I didn’t find a job, I miss my friends and family, and I used up all my savings. 

Step 2: Prevent

In this step, brainstorm actions you can take to prevent or decrease the likelihood of each worst-case scenario you identified in Step 1 from happening. 

Ferriss says once you address the possibilities of these unfortunate cases, “these remedies or preventative measures start to come out.”

Eg: I get in touch with a recruitment agency to help me find a job, I set up weekly calls with friends and family, I find a side job to reduce financial pressure.

Step 3: Repair

If things do go badly, this is where you figure out how to repair the damage. Ferriss recommends considering all options, no matter how much you may hate them, to ensure that you would be able to get back on your feet.

Eg: I set enough money aside to fly back home, I reconnect with my friends and family for support, I look for job opportunities in my home country.

“To overcome your fear of failure, dig deep into them.”

This exercise is about confronting your fears rather than avoiding them. As former Navy SEAL and leadership coach Jocko Willink advises, "The more you hide from fear, the bigger it gets. Instead, confront it, face it, and get after it."

What are you afraid of? How would your life be different if you could overcome that fear? If you're feeling held back by fear, don't hesitate to reach out. I can help you overcome your fears and leap into your next chapter with confidence. 

Source: Tim Ferriss & Harvard Business Review