Why are so many people afraid to fail? 

It could be several factors, such as past experiences, societal pressures, and cultural norms, might contribute to the fear of failure. Failures in the past or unfavorable comments might make many individuals afraid to attempt again for fear of failing again. The other factor could be social or cultural pressure to achieve always and to avoid failing at all costs. This may generate a fear of failing, which deters people from taking chances or pursuing their goals. Together with a fear of the unknown or uncertainty, a fear of failure can also be correlated with a fear of criticism or judgment from others. In the end, the feeling of dread of failure is complicated and can result from a range of social, cultural, and personal variables.

When I first started my own business, I actually wasn't afraid.  It wasn't until I had experienced some of the failures that so many others feared, that I had a shift in belief.  I started losing belief in myself, the belief that it would ever happen, and belief in the dream.  Displaying an optimistic attitude on the surface while deep down, I was worried about what others would think if I didn't succeed, what they would think if I did succeed, and I started to doubt my own abilities.  I pursued one business venture after another, all with the promise of life-changing income, only to receive an income I was barely surviving from.   But over time, I realized that failure was not something to be feared, but rather a necessary step in the journey to success. I still feel fear at times but I keep moving forward with the realization that some of my fears had manifested because I had constantly stopped, then started again, and stopped once more, so I have to push past my fears and P.U.S.H. through the process. Listen to the podcast to hear the entire story.

Here are some examples of individuals who have failed at some point in their lives and went on to become successful:

Michael Jordan - a former professional basketball player who was cut from his high school basketball team, but went on to become one of the greatest players of all time.

J.K. Rowling - author of the Harry Potter series, who was rejected by multiple publishers before finally being accepted and becoming one of the best-selling authors in history.

Oprah Winfrey - media mogul who was fired from her first job as a television news anchor, but went on to become one of the most successful talk show hosts and entrepreneurs in history.

Thomas Edison - an inventor who failed thousands of times before finally inventing the light bulb and changing the world.

Steve Jobs - co-founder of Apple, was fired from his own company in the 1980s but returned to lead the company to even greater success in the 1990s and 2000s.

Steven Spielberg - a film director who was rejected from film school multiple times, but went on to become one of the most successful and influential filmmakers of all time.

Abraham Lincoln - the 16th President of the United States experienced multiple business and political failures before finally achieving success as a lawyer and politician.

Colonel Sanders - the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, was rejected by over 1,000 restaurants before finally finding success with his own chicken recipe.

Vera Wang - a fashion designer who failed to make the US Olympic figure skating team, but went on to become one of the most successful and respected designers in the industry.

In conclusion, failure has value and should be seen as an opportunity for growth and improvement. It's important to embrace failure as a natural part of the learning process and to use our failures as a tool for success. So, if you're feeling afraid to fail, just remember that failure is not a reflection of your worth or ability. Pushing through the failures is what increases your worth and sharpens your abilities.

If you're ready to embrace failure and achieve success in your business, take the MYB Life Assessment to gain clarity and direction on your journey. And don't forget to subscribe to the Mind Your Business Mentor podcast on your favorite platform for more insights and strategies to help you succeed.

Thank you for listening to the Mind Your Business Mentor podcast. I'm Stephanie Arkadie, and I'll see you in the next episode.  Some advice from your Mentor…Mind Your Business!