This motivational video from Toastmasters international encourages us not to have fear of failure. I love the name of the speech “Ouch”. The speaker clearly explains that many of us when we have an “ouch” moment we just decide to quit. But in reality we should continue, Falling in our faces is still making progress, as he clearly explains it with his body gestures. If you fall forward, when you get up, you will still make progress.
The reality is that all people that are successful had many “ouches”, and I assume everyone had fear of failure, but they decide to feel the fear and do it anyway.
As I write I am also listening to Zig Ziglar, and he tells that it took years for him to have success. There were months were he did not have money, he had his phone cut off, and had to return a car. He says he did not even have the money to pay the bills at the hospital when his daughter was born. Today Zig Ziglar is a successful public speaker,
Thomas Edison failed 1000 times before succeeding at creating the light bulb. Imagine if the fear of failure had stopped him. We probably would be living in darkness still.
Is Fear of Failure Justified?
The point is that we would not be humans if we did not experienced fear of failure. It is natural to experience fear of the unknown. But what if we were to word it differently.
When we want to try something new, or do something different, many people will think “What if I fail?’. People around you will say “You are going to fail”; “do you have a plan B?”. And probably yes, if you are going to try something new, you are going to “fail”.
But when a baby is starting to crawl, we do not say “he is going to fail”. Adults normally say “He is experimenting”, “he is learning”. So why when that little baby becomes a child, or an adult, and they want to do something new we go and tell him “You are going to get hurt”. Why not just change the words and say “He is experimenting”, “he is learning”. Words are very powerful, and we should watch what we say.
When my son was born, I was very relaxed when he was experimenting, and crawling all over. I was not concerned that he would fall, will let him get on chairs, push chairs and everything. Now that he is a bit older I am guilty of reminding him of the fear of failure syndrome.
How fear of Failure Stopped me?
My dream always was that I wanted to be a motivational speaker. But I took that out of my head and forgot about it. People told me “You need to have something to say” “you cannot talk”. Being and introvert does not make it any easier. Talking in front of people does not come natural to me but somehow I always felt I had that urge to do it. But I put it off. Then I became a Toastmasters and completed my first ten speeches. Life got busy, my kids were born, and I quit Toastmasters, because anyway I cannot become a public speaker. I am in the process now of rejoining Toastnasters,.
What inspired me was when I received an email from Brandan Burchard on his public speakiing academy. I love his speach and how he talks. I wish I could join them in this 4 days Academy, but unfortunately is too far. When I see all those lovely workshops I wish I was living in the USA. But somehow I hope I will attend one day, and that my dream will come true.
I do not have t be a public speaker on stage, I can just be it online, via videos or webinars, but I still have a long time to go, Fear of failure and procrastination has kept me back, but I need to move on.
Now do not forget to watch the above video it is worth it. If you like this post , share it please, click on the facebook or twitter icon. to share it.
And please tell me what is your fear, and what are you planning to do about it.
