Escapee Speaks: Fear of Failure
The best thing you can do today to move in the diection of your dreams is to confront your fear of failure. Take a moment to acknowledge your fear, really feel it, then let it go.
Why should you acknowledge it first?
Because your fear is bringing your attention to a wall that is keeping you from progressing. If you try to ignore it, it will only get bigger, and you’ll also be ignoring what’s on the other side. Once you face those parts of your dreams that lie beyond your comfort zone, you can move into them and make your comfort zone expand with every step.
Even if you fail, you will get to know the terrain a little better, and you can apply that knowledge to your next step.
Escapee has spoken.
What is YOUR experience with facing your fear of failure?
I have a big problem with this. It’s most of the reason why I can’t even work out in gyms.
At least, these days, I’ve put a name on it, and I’m better at working with it. Is it, in anyone’s experience, something that you get past, or at least comfortable with, at some point?
Hello Zach,
Thanks for the note. I think one thing that you mentioned that is very important to point out is that you are getting “better at working with it”. This means that you are gradually absorbing more and more into your comfort zone.
I think everyone has many things in their life that are out of their comfort zone. Don’t let this discourage you.
In fact, the process of growth is often uncomfortable, yet what lies on the other side is rewarding enough to make you hungry for more.
Best of luck, Zach!
I had an interesting experience the other day while at APE in San Francisco. Fear put it’s Freeze attack on me. I was excited about meeting your Fellow podcasters Kevin Cross & Mark Rudolph. I’ve just discovered this world of podcasts through Chris Oatley’s Artcasts and through yours as well. It’s like a whole community in my ear. At any rate, I wanted to talk with them about what I was trying to do which is develop an online critique group dedicated to the developers & creators of sequential art. I also hoped to get there feed back on a book I’m working on. I walked up to the table first thing Saturday morning and just totally nerded out. Had a brain fart right there in front of them. Got there respective podcasts mixed up as well as there own projects reversed. I let that stupid moment hobble me. Left the venue cursing my self and who did I see? Kevin & Mark having a smoke in the lot. I thought, “great now they’ll think I’m stalking them or something.” I mustered the courage to at least give them my card & babbled something & then left for lunch in China Town.
I’ve interviewed David Petersen, Stephen Silver, Mark McDonnel, & David Colman & have their interviews posted on my site. I’m serious about my work and what I’d like to do in the cyber community. Why did I freeze up with these guys? I guess you never know when Fear is going to raise it’s ugly head. I enjoyed the Expo, but never showed my book to a publisher. One of these days, maybe, I will grow the cahones to defeat my fear. Any one else have an experience they wish they could replay?
Hello Samuel. Thanks for sharing your experience. One of the redeeming parts of your story is actually the frustration that you seem to feel about this event. Ironically, it is this sensation that will propel you to work to face your fears in the future. Therefore it is essential to remember and learn from this experience, in hopes of producing different results next time. Onward, Samuel!
Thanks for the encouragement Thomas. I wont let it happen again!
I just had a look at your website Samuel, your stuff’s absolutely brilliant, love it. Why would you not feel totally confident?? Reassuring to hear about other peoples insecurities though!
Angela Thank You! I’ve just had moments when emotionally or socially I stumble. Other times I’m fine. I just want to break into living by my art so badly that I carry my feelings too loosely on the sleeve so to speak I guess. T’s tough to show your stuff when your just starting out. over 13 years in big box retail makes ya desperate to escape! Ya know what I mean?
You’ve encouraged me today! Thank You! :o)