Fear of failure, it's a weight we carry,
A constant worry that makes us wary.
We long for success and all its glory,
But the fear of losing is another story.
If we don't have it, we yearn and crave,
Our desires burning like a fiery blaze.
But once we have it, we hold on tight,
Fearful of losing what's in our sight.
And if we lose it, we're filled with sorrow,
Lamenting what we had, hoping for tomorrow.
Fear of failure can be a heavy load,
But it's important to remember, it's just a mode.
A mode of thinking that can hold us back,
But if we push through, we'll find our knack.
Success and failure are both part of the game,
And with perseverance, we'll rise to fame.
So let go of the fear and take a chance,
For greatness comes from taking that stance.
Embrace the journey, the ups and downs,
For in the end, it's the experience that astounds.
Fear can arise from a deep-seated desire or when we constantly think about achieving a particular outcome. When we strongly desire something, we can become afraid of not getting it. This fear can be particularly strong when we are trying to achieve something that is highly valued by our society or when we feel like our future success depends on achieving a particular outcome. Say, getting into a dream school.
We get stressed just thinking about people we might disappoint if we fail because we value their opinions and fear losing their respect or approval. It can be especially true in high-stress situations such as college admissions, where our performance is scrutinized and the stakes are high. This fear can cause us to second-guess ourselves and create a constant sense of pressure, making it challenging to perform at our best.
Social pressure and the need to maintain a particular image can be significant contributors to this fear. We may feel that our worth is tied to our achievements, and failure may mean that we are not good enough. This fear can be extreme when we feel like we are in competition with others, such as when we are trying to get into a highly competitive school or program.
When we constantly worry about the outcome, it can affect our mood. Our mood determines our sense of well-being. When things are not going as per plan, we feel sad. When we believe that things are going well, we feel happy. Most of the time, we are bewildered and question if we are doing the right thing to achieve the outcome.
One of the challenges of the fear of failure is that it can create a lot of stress and anxiety, which can actually make it harder to achieve our goals. When we are stressed, it can be harder to focus, and we may be more likely to make mistakes or become overwhelmed. This can create a negative cycle where our fear of failure actually increases the likelihood of failure.
Another challenge of the fear of failure is that it can be hard to shake off. Once we start to worry about failing, it can be hard to stop. This can lead to a lot of self-doubt and uncertainty as we question whether we are doing the right things to achieve our goals.
Despite these challenges, it's important to remember that failure is a natural part of the learning process. Nobody is perfect, and everyone experiences setbacks from time to time. However, it's also important to remember that setbacks can provide valuable opportunities for growth and development. As the saying goes, "Either we win, or we learn." When we experience failure, we can learn from our mistakes and use that knowledge to improve and become better. Another meaningful learning we can imbibe is that outcomes are never in our hands. By focusing on the process of achieving our goals rather than just the outcome, we can reduce the fear of failure and increase our chances of success.