Fear, failure, and fear of failure will accompany you when you do great things. It’s part of the journey, so you should expect it. Everyone who is successful is scared of failing. Taylor Swift puts it this way: “It can feel, at times, if you let your anxiety get the better of you, like everybody’s waiting for you to really mess up—and then you’ll be done.”
In the 1970s, psychologists identified this “Imposter Syndrome,” referring to people who have accomplished great things yet still experience fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” Even when these individuals consistently prove themselves to be intelligent, competent, and successful, they don’t believe they deserve their position. They believe they are imposters!
There are several different “symptoms” of Imposter Syndrome. You may find yourself getting burned out from overworking or trying to impress your supervisor. You may avoid displays of confidence or feel awkward receiving accolades. You may keep good ideas to yourself because you’re afraid of how they’ll be received. You’ll doubt your own qualifications at some point.
Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet, Facebook COO and author Sheryl Sandberg, and award-winning poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou have all expressed a fear of being found out—that the times they’ve failed could mean they’re a fraud.
I’ve failed. You’ve failed. But, so has every successful person on the planet, so we’re in good company. Michael Jordan said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And, that is why I succeed.”
I also love Thomas Edison’s perspective: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that don’t work.”
So remember that failure is an attribute of every high achiever. The person sitting on the couch doesn’t care if they fail, because they aren’t trying anything new. Putting yourself out there comes with the risk of failure—but without it, you lose all chance of success. The fact that you’re worried about it means you’re already ahead of the game.
Don’t discount what you bring to the table. It’s okay to be confident in what you have to offer. And if you stumble, just remember that every failure brings you closer to success.
Whether you’re in the idea phase, the creation phase, or the selling phase of your new business, there’s no doubt you have questions. Christy Wright’s Business Boutique is where you can find the answers. Christy will speak alongside an incredible lineup of women leaders and business experts, including Lysa TerKeurst, Christine Caine, Rachel Cruze, and more. You can catch her in Phoenix Arizona, May 13th and 14th, or in Dallas Texas, May 20th and 21st. Learn more at www.businessboutique.com.
Photo by Mariona Company
Christy Wright
Latest posts by Christy Wright (see all)
- How to Shake Mom Guilt - November 30, 2017
- How to Focus on Just One Idea - September 28, 2016
- Five Things to Cut Out of Your Business - July 13, 2016
