Do you fear failure? Do you fear not achieving some goal, hope, or dream? Does that fear, in turn, keep you from even trying sometimes? When you think about it, it’s true that the only way you can guarantee you won’t achieve something is to never even try for it in the first place.
It can be easy to view failure as trying and coming up short. However, at least in that process we have the chance to learn something and to grow from it. In my mind, that’s not a failure. It’s a process to improvement and greater strength. So step out and go for it. Even if you don’t do what you originally set out to accomplish, you will still learn something along the way and be taking strides forward rather than standing still. Go for it. You can’t be a failure if you do, because, at the very least, you learn something and grown in some way if things don’t turn out the way you hoped. Then again, maybe they will turn out.
If you fear failure, what do you fear most about it? Do you agree that in trying you can’t really fail?
Register now for Round 5 Best Body Bootcamp
BBB is a flexible 8 week workout program to challenge you at YOUR fitness level. Join for new workouts, motivation, cash prizes and fun! Starts April 1.
Mother. Wife. Personal Trainer. Exercise lover. Blogger. Woman of faith. Striving for fitness inside and out. 
![At the hair salon waiting for a hair cut is the most luxury I\](http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/c9b83cd4bda711e28a5c22000a1f8acf_5.jpg "At the hair salon waiting for a hair cut is the most luxury I\")
![Early #mothersday celebration. Picking up my MIL\](http://distilleryimage4.s3.amazonaws.com/347f663eba3111e28e0122000aaa0935_5.jpg "Early #mothersday celebration. Picking up my MIL\")
![Doesn\](http://distilleryimage7.s3.amazonaws.com/f1f125a6b9d511e290cd22000a1f90d7_5.jpg "Doesn\")
![Guzzle guzzle. Haven\](http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/6e6f95feb98b11e292b622000a1fb73b_5.jpg "Guzzle guzzle. Haven\")
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I absolutely agree that you can’t fail. Really, you can’t. You will learn something and gain something new out of everything! I fail at workouts, but I gain the ability to know my starting point, and push through it. You may be faced with obstacles; just take your time and tackle them
I totally agree – what’s worst – failing but TRYING or never trying at all? I think the latter is far worse!
Totally agree with you, this actually resonates with me big time today. Thank you for the reminder
The thing I fear about failure is having people know that I’ve tried and failed. I guess it is more the fear of embarassment or feeling like I am incompetent. I have a lot of pride, which I think I need to let go of. I have always wanted to do a full marathon, but every time I finish a half, I say to myself that I could NEVER go another 13.1. I guess I have been afraid to find out and afraid to be in pain and having to fight through it. I am thinking that I may have to pursue this!
I’m the kind of person who never has regrets because I believe it’s just an opportunity for us to learn something new and grow as people. Failure works the same way, except it often clouds our head and makes us afraid to try new things. I am always reminding myself of the quote “what would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” as a reminder to put myself out there and if it doesn’t work out, it’s just another learning experience.
I love your comment! And the view of things always as opportunity in some fashion.
Yep! For me, the only way to fail it to quit. Perseverance is so important to reaching your goals — no matter what they are. Very few people do everything the right the first time.
Ohhh! I like that. Very few people do everything right the first time.
I USED TO–I do no mo’
Ive learned I LEARN even when it feels as though Ive failed.
i totally agree. i also think itz hard to break away from that mindset of negative thinking if you’ve been trying and haven’t been successful yet. keep on trying… i keep telling myself ah!
Fear is something that holds us all back. I’ve definitely avoided trying new things before because I was scared of what might happen, but its true that you have to at least try or you fail before you even begin. “Dead last is greater than did not finish, which trumps did not start.”
Love this Tina. I’ve been thinking a lot about fear lately and viewing it as a useful tool versus something that holds us back. While there’s definitely things that I fear, I realize that fear of failure is less a part of my life now – not sure why. Fear of failure used to be something that drove me but not so much anymore. Maybe I’m getting older and wiser? haha.
I have been behind on my blog reading
Too busy of a week…with that said I wanted to let you know I love your updates on your website! It looks great & is easy to navigate! Way to go!
Thanks, Melanie! I appreciate the feedback.
With you 100%! Even though we sometimes feel like we’ve failed immediately after trying something new and being less than successful, reflection always helps me re-frame and see the success!
Love love love!! So true Tina!! It’s definitely still a struggle to push myself to try things that seem unachievable, but it is always so worth it!
True. True. True. FEAR of FAILURE is by worst enemy! If I don’t try, I don’t fail. WRONG THINKING! That little thought in my mind has prevented me from trying time and time again. I finally realized one day, that those thoughts that creep into my mind are just that-thoughts. They hold no power over me, except what I allow.
{ 1 trackback }