The Fear Of Failure-A Fallacy

Wednesday, July 27, 2011, 19:15

The Fear of Failure cripples creativity, the spirit of enterprising and to proceed further. Fear is immanent in everyone, however very acute in a few. If reflected properly the fear of failure is present in all undertakings, small and big in varying degrees, depending upon the mental make up of an individual.

An understanding to overcome the fear of failure.

Before delving into the ways to overcome failure, a simple fact about failure has to be understood.
The truth is that one cannot totally be successful or a be a failure in life. One is successful in certain aspects big or small or similarly a failure in certain others. So the question of success and failure is ruled out. Vedanta claims that when life is looked at as a larger picture, from this angle, one transcends success and failure.

It is important from the aforesaid fact, that one should avoid self-judgement. Do not adjudge yourself. Focus your attention on what is presented before you to the best of your ability. In that way the concept of failure does not bother one. Here the fear of failure to cope does not come into the picture. Energy is not depleted in the fear of failure but integrated in the process of the endeavour.

This understanding brings in a lot of freedom, relaxation and a free mind to act prudently. In some cases this understanding can help overcome the fear of failure.

In spirituality lies the key to all issues. Looking at it with the right attitude helps undo problems.

The feeling of failure is not the result of action or the course of action, but the reaction to the result of an action. So it is the play of the reactive mind and not the result of the action. Hence an attitudinal change about success and failure will have to be understood. Swami Dayananda Saraswati in his “The Need for Personal Reorganisation" says that when ambition is pursued for self-fulfillment and not aimed at one's survival, it helps in dealing with failure.

Another aspect that one has to remember is that it is simply not possible for all desires of people to be fulfilled. It is just not in the law of nature. One cannot see any individual whose every desire is accomplished.

So with an attitudinal change, the sense of failure itself is overruled. So the sense of failure itself is a fallacy; the fear of failure cannot exist. However since we have not understood the term failure, some practical approach to to dealing with failure will have to be looked into.

1. Time management is very crucial. Set goals with a fixed time and try to achieve them.
2. Have a clear cut plan in achieving the end.
3. Focus more in the process of achieving than worrying about the end.
4. Avoid procrastination in whatever you do, be it work, relationships or even relaxation.
5. Communicate with people who you are close with regarding your plans.
6. Be alert and self conscious while engaged in the process of your endeavour.
7. Hold on to the change in the attitude as explained above and look at life as a larger picture.
8. Last but not the least, enjoy the path, the goal will take care of itself.

Reference : “The Need for Personal Reorganisation" by Swami Dayananda Saraswati.