The fear of failure often leads to failure itself.
The fear of failure is a complex emotion that can stem from many different sources. Understanding the reasons behind this fear is crucial if you want to address and overcome it. And overcome it you must, because an excessive fear of failure is a surefire way to fail at the first hurdle: by not actually getting started.
Here are 14 common traits and habits of people who fear failure so much that it gets in the way of their success.
1. They measure their success by others’ opinions of them.
The fear of negative evaluation is a common factor in the fear of failure. It involves deep concerns about what others will think or say if we fail. It can make us hesitant to try something, flood us with self-doubt, and prevent us from leaving our comfort zone.
This fear can significantly impact a person’s mindset and behavior. Individuals who are afraid of negative evaluation may become overly self-conscious and feel a lot of distress, seeking external validation and approval to alleviate their fears.
They might avoid taking risks or pursuing new opportunities, fearing the potential judgment or criticism from others should they fail.
This fear can paralyze individuals from fully exploring their potential and reaching their goals.
2. They have low self-esteem.
Low self-esteem is a large contributing factor to the fear of failure. When individuals have a negative self-image and lack confidence in their abilities, they may perceive any potential failure as a confirmation of their worthlessness or incompetence.
The fear becomes magnified as they worry about how it will further diminish their already fragile self-esteem. This could become a self-fulfilling prophecy, as the anticipation of failure can lead to self-sabotaging behaviors, such as procrastination or avoiding challenges altogether.
You feel so incompetent, unable to sort through your anxiety, and stuck right in place. Individuals with low self-esteem may hesitate or outright avoid taking risks or pursuing their goals because they do not deserve success or are incapable of achieving it.
3. They are often perfectionists.
Perfectionism, characterized by an unrelenting desire for flawlessness and an intense fear of making mistakes, is closely linked to the fear of failure.
Individuals with perfectionistic tendencies set excessively high standards for themselves and strive for perfection in every aspect of their lives.
This relentless pursuit of flawlessness leaves little room for error or failure, as any deviation from perfection is seen as a personal shortcoming or a reflection of inadequacy.
Consequently, anxiety about falling short becomes deeply ingrained, as individuals equate failure with a loss of self-worth and validation.
Perfectionists often engage in excessive self-criticism and self-doubt, constantly seeking to avoid failure at all costs. The fear of failure becomes a significant barrier, preventing individuals from taking risks, pursuing new opportunities, and embracing growth.
4. They may have unresolved trauma.
Traumatic experiences can profoundly impact an individual’s mindset and perception of failure. Trauma can create deep-seated emotional wounds and instill a fear of revisiting similar painful experiences.
As a result, individuals who have experienced trauma may develop a heightened sensitivity to failure, as it can trigger feelings of vulnerability, shame, or re-traumatization.
The fear of failure becomes a protective mechanism as individuals try to avoid situations or activities that might replicate past traumatic events.
Furthermore, trauma can also disrupt one’s sense of self-worth and self-confidence, making it difficult to believe in one’s abilities and increasing the fear of not meeting expectations or experiencing further disappointment.
In addition, it can make it so that you’re constantly being hard on yourself and imagining the worst-case scenario.
5. They often have a strong desire to fit societal or cultural norms and expectations.
Societal expectations, often influenced by cultural norms, can significantly shape an individual’s perception of failure.
Society greatly emphasizes achievement, success, and meeting specific benchmarks or standards of accomplishment. These expectations can create tremendous pressure to excel in various domains, such as education, careers, relationships, and personal achievements.
Fear of failure arises when individuals feel that they are falling short of these societal expectations or when they fear the judgment, criticism, or disappointment of others.
The constant comparison to others and the fear of not measuring up can create anxiety and a paralyzing fear of taking risks or pursuing goals. When fear is driven by societal expectations, it can lead to a perpetual cycle of perfectionism, self-doubt, and avoidance.
6. They engage in excessive comparison with others.
Comparing oneself to others is a common human tendency, but it can also contribute to the fear of failure.
When individuals constantly compare themselves to others, especially those who appear to be more successful or accomplished, they may develop a distorted perception of their own abilities and worth.
Concern about being a disappointment intensifies as they believe they cannot measure up to the achievements of others. This comparison trap can breed feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and a constant need for validation.
The fear of falling short compared to others can create a sense of constant pressure to succeed, and any setback or perceived failure can feel like a personal defeat.
7. They experience intense feelings of shame related to previous “failures.”
Previous negative experiences can greatly contribute to developing a fear of failure. When individuals have encountered failures or setbacks in the past, it can leave a lasting impact on their confidence and self-belief.
Adverse experiences may have resulted in disappointment, criticism, or a sense of shame, creating a fear of reliving those painful emotions.
When an individual anticipates similar negative outcomes in future endeavors, they fret and hesitate. They may develop a fear of making mistakes or taking risks, believing that history will repeat itself.
These past experiences can shape their perception of themselves and their abilities, leading to a heightened sense of self-doubt and a reluctance to step out of their comfort zones. And this in turn prevents them from taking the steps needed to succeed.
8. They may have a lack of support.
If you lack support or have no support system, it can significantly contribute to developing a fear of failure.
When individuals do not have a strong support system or encouragement from those around them, it can create feelings of isolation and self-doubt. The absence of support can make individuals feel like they are navigating challenges and pursuing their goals alone.
Without a network of people who believe in their abilities and provide guidance, individuals may struggle to build resilience and face setbacks confidently.
All types of fear can be amplified when no one is there to provide reassurance, offer constructive feedback, or lend a helping hand during difficult times.
9. They hold beliefs and perceptions about themselves that are limiting.
Limiting beliefs is a big part of fostering and cultivating a fear of failure. These beliefs are deeply ingrained thoughts or perceptions that individuals hold about themselves, their abilities, and their potential for success.
When individuals have negative or self-defeating beliefs, such as “I’m not good enough,” “I will never succeed,” or “I’m destined to fail,” they create a self-imposed barrier to their own progress.
These beliefs can stem from past experiences, societal conditioning, or personal insecurities. They limit individuals’ willingness to take risks, try new things, or pursue their goals wholeheartedly, as thoughts of failure and inadequacy constantly plague them.
The fear of failure can become a self-fulfilling prophecy when individuals hesitate to step out of their comfort zones or give their best effort due to the belief that failure is inevitable.
10. They fear emotional vulnerability.
Emotional vulnerability can play a huge role in developing the fear of failure. When individuals open themselves up emotionally and allow themselves to be vulnerable, they expose their innermost thoughts, feelings, and desires.
This vulnerability can create a sense of fear and insecurity as they worry about the potential for rejection, judgment, or disappointment.
They may believe that if they put themselves out there and take risks, they will face emotional pain, humiliation, or the disapproval of others. This can lead individuals to hold back, avoid taking chances, or even self-sabotage their own efforts.
They may fear the emotional toll of failure and the potential impact on their self-worth and relationships.
11. They fear change as well as failure.
The fear of change is closely linked to the fear of failure, as both stem from a fear of the unknown. Change often brings uncertainty and the possibility of making mistakes or not adapting successfully to new circumstances.
People who fear change may prefer to stick to familiar routines and situations where they feel more in control and less likely to fail.
The fear of stepping outside of one’s comfort zone can limit personal and professional growth, preventing individuals from taking on new challenges or pursuing opportunities that could lead to success.
12. They fear the unknown.
The fear of the unknown is an intense force that can fuel the fear of failure. When faced with unfamiliar situations, there is often a sense of uncertainty and a lack of control, which can trigger feelings of anxiety and self-doubt.
The fear of the unknown can make individuals hesitant to take risks or try new things, as they worry about potential negative outcomes or making mistakes.
This fear can create a mental barrier that keeps people from pursuing their goals and dreams, as they prefer to stay within their comfort zones where the outcomes are predictable.
13. They have an inflexible mindset.
A person may see failure as an endpoint that they cannot change. Thus, they may fear it because they view the decisions they make and the actions they take as irreversible. After all, you can’t turn back time, so what’s done is done.
The individual lacks the flexibility of thought that would otherwise allow them to recognize failure as merely an individual step along the path rather than a dead-end. To avoid facing the dead-end, they would rather not take the action to begin with.
14. They may have atychiphobia.
Atychiphobia (the fear of failure) can profoundly impact individuals. This intense phobia of failure can cultivate an endless cycle of anxiety and avoidance, as those who have atychiphobia may go to great lengths to avoid any situation where failure is a possibility.
This fear can be all-encompassing, leading to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and a constant need for perfection. It can make a person afraid to make mistakes, feel very alone, and have a negative view of their self-image.
Atychiphobia can hinder personal and professional growth, as individuals may shy away from new challenges or opportunities as well as pursuing their dreams. It can also lead to a fear of taking risks or making decisions.
Overcoming atychiphobia requires a shift in mindset, one that is likely only to happen with professional help.
