What do you do if you're afraid of failure and hesitant to try new things in your career?

It's OK to fear. Fear usually doesn't exist in the present, it's all about fearing future outcomes. Acknowledging that you're fearing and saying out loud where exactly you feel it in your body would be step #1 for overcoming it. But the best cure to all fears is action. It will be tough in the beginning and it's all right. To overcome your fear you need to get your bravery together and make this first step. Likely you will discover that is not that bad and that is what might make you excited and proud of yourself. That in turn, will likely make you wanna do another step towards your fears. Fear is a good compass of where we need to go!

If you fear, you are human, moreover, fear is good! To tread new territories, we must first understand what might be holding us back. Take the time to sit and understand yourself. Did down a little deeper by asking yourself 'Why' you feel the fear. Once you understand your fear a bit better, find one tiny thing you can do that's related to what you're scared of. It might be something really quick, like just taking two minutes to do it, and start with that. Soon, you'll see that you're already making progress, little by little!

One thing to acknowledge about fear is that it is not something that goes away. Get comfortable with fear and rather perceive it as something which you take with you and use to propel you while working towards what you want. Fear is natural but it should not be paralyzing. Spend some time introspecting and identify the root cause of your fear.

Wow, this is my wheelhouse! Everybody feels fear. It's normal, especially when you move into new areas in your career. You don't know what's up ahead and whether you can handle it. The key to combating fear is to focus on your "why" - why is this new thing important to you. As you focus on your why, your mistakes become avenues of learning, and the opinions of others don't matter to you. Fear gets smaller in the face of your "why".

- Understand the nature of your fear. - Reframe failure. - Set small, manageable goals. - Focus on learning. - Seek support and feedback. - Visualize success. - Educate yourself. - Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques. - Accept that discomfort is part of growth. - Celebrate small victories.

Acknowledge the fear because it is real. Address the fear because it can be managed. Anticipate the positive to help kick in the adrenaline as the next steps would certainly be an adventure... To pause is death and to further is life!!

Indeed, recognizing and acknowledging fear is the initial stride towards growth. When setting goals, it's crucial to make them SMART—specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. This approach allows for breaking down larger objectives into smaller, actionable steps, making the journey less daunting. By celebrating each small victory along the way, you not only acknowledge progress but also reinforce a positive mindset. Remember, every step forward, no matter how small, is a step towards overcoming fear and achieving success.

If fear of failure and hesitation hold you back from new career paths, continuous learning and improvement can be transformative. Instead of seeing mistakes as setbacks, view them as valuable learning opportunities. Actively seek knowledge through courses, workshops, or mentorship to expand your skills and boost your confidence to face challenges head-on. Growth thrives when you experiment and adapt. Embrace the journey of self-improvement, and with each step forward, you'll conquer your fears and unlock new career opportunities.

It's normal to have moments of doubt or fear but you need to take the leap to move forward. Once you have, you will question what was holding you back. Take advantage of the learning opportunities that come your way to help you grow. Mel Robbins does a great talk on "How To Stop Talking Yourself Out Of Making BIG Moves."

Embracing the concept of continuous learning can be transformative in navigating challenges in one's career. Understanding that failure often serves as a stepping stone rather than a setback can significantly shift one's perspective on trying new things. When failure is viewed as an opportunity for growth and improvement, the fear of making mistakes diminishes. By approaching new experiences as experiments or learning opportunities, the pressure to succeed on the first try is alleviated. This mindset fosters a spirit of curiosity and innovation, encouraging individuals to embrace new challenges and pursue their career goals with resilience and determination.

There’s a great video circulating the web of an interview with basketball legend Kobe Bryant. The question is asked, “there are two types of players, those who love to win and those who hate to lose, which one are you?” and Kobe replies, “I’m neither.” And then he discusses how he plays to figure things out, to learn something. You can take this approach with everything in life: work, relationships, parenting etc. When we remove the binary outcome of either winning or losing, we can fully immerse ourselves into our own growth, looking for opportunities to learn something new about ourselves and each other. It’s a powerful shift and one you can make with focused practice and intention.

When grappling with fear of failure and reluctance to explore new career paths, seeking support can make all the difference. Surround yourself with mentors, colleagues, or a professional coach who can offer guidance and encouragement. Drawing from their experiences with failure and subsequent triumphs, they provide invaluable insights and strategies. With a supportive network, you'll have individuals to celebrate successes with and to help you learn and grow from setbacks. Remember, you don't have to navigate your fears alone—reach out and lean on your support system as you embark on your career journey.

Obstacles are easier to overcome with a guide. Think of the climber attempting to scale Everest. They hire a guide so he can use their experience to their advantage. Or think of professional golfers (really any sport, but we’ll use golf for this example). They have a caddy. If you’ve ever watched it on TV, the caddy isn’t there just to carry the bag, but to consult on the wind, the course, the undulation of the green, etc. They share their expertise to hit the best possible shot (hopefully). Sometimes, they miss. You will too. But then, they adjust and take the next shot. You should too!

Visualizing success can be a game-changer in overcoming fear and pursuing your goals with confidence. Picture yourself achieving your aspirations and immerse yourself in the emotions of success. By vividly imagining a positive outcome, you build belief in your abilities and alleviate anxiety about stepping into new territories. Visualization serves as a powerful tool in maintaining focus on your objectives and charting the necessary steps to reach them, thus making the journey ahead clearer and more manageable.

Some people think visualization doesn’t work. These people typically haven’t ever truly practiced it. Maybe they tried it once. Visualization is a daily practice. Be as descriptive and sensory as you can with it -> for example, don’t just visualize a beach house, imagine what you’ll feel like drinking a coffee on the porch feeling the wind on your face and smelling the ocean air. Work visualization into your daily routine and it will help with focus, clarity and mood.

In my experience, visualization has been a powerful tool for conquering fear. By envisioning myself successfully navigating challenging situations and achieving my goals, I've been able to build confidence and reduce anxiety. This technique has helped me maintain focus and clarity, even when faced with uncertainty. In my opinion, I agree that visualization is an effective strategy for overcoming fear and achieving success. By mentally rehearsing positive outcomes and embracing the associated emotions, individuals can cultivate a resilient mindset and stay motivated in pursuit of their goals. This practice not only enhances confidence but also provides a roadmap for action, making the path forward clearer and more manageable.

When you're afraid of failing or hesitant to try new career paths, focusing on taking small steps can be really effective. Break down your goals into manageable tasks and work on them one at a time. Celebrate each small win along the way - they'll help build your confidence and skills. By gradually expanding your comfort zone through steady progress, you'll become more willing to explore new opportunities and face challenges head-on. Remember, great things often come from accumulating small, consistent efforts. So take that first small step today, and see how it propels you towards more success and fulfillment in your career.

You can’t just visualize. You also must act. Reverse engineer from your goal … what type of person would you have to be to achieve the thing you’re trying to achieve. What would that person do everyday? How would they speak? What would they know or learn? Then, incorporate those answers into your daily/weekly schedule. Focus on the daily inputs, not the outputs. Success is yours to define, but it’s a lot easier to feel successful if you define your daily inputs and make them non- negotiable. By the way, make this fun so you stick with it. I don’t mean every activity has to be thrilling but make sure overall that you enjoy your days.

If the fear of failure and reluctance to try new career paths feel overwhelming, consider starting a small side project while keeping your current job. This allows you to experiment and learn without the pressure of immediately leaving your established career. By setting aside time for a side project, such as freelancing, starting a small business, or pursuing a passion, you can gradually build confidence and skills at your own pace. See this as a low-risk way to test the waters, gain valuable experience, and uncover hidden talents. Over time, as your confidence grows and your side work flourishes, you may find yourself ready to transition into new career paths with a renewed sense of assurance and purpose.

First we much the perception failure and change it to a learning experience. Work on what can we gain from those experiences and reflect on what worked and what didn’t work. Then we work on having an open mind with no expectations on trying anything not just in your career. Removing expectations and focusing on it being a journey will help to see where could you go and see on this journey as opposed to seeing what you expect to happen.