Fear of Failure

Blog Post:

I’ll admit it: I’m a height junkie.

If there’s a mountain that’s climbable, a skyscraper open to the public, or a suspension bridge within a mile’s radius, I’m intrigued by it and have this uncontrollable urge to get to it. I love looking out as far as I can see, and the higher the climb, the better the view. I’m fortunate to have access to some really spectacular mountains within an hour’s drive of my hometown, so I’ve gotten pretty spoiled, to say the least.

However, as an introvert, put me in a room full of people that I don’t know and I’m a mess. Oh, I might look like I’m holding it together, but I’m dying on the inside, trust me. I’m one of those people who has to practice what I’m going to say in a conversation before I dial to make an appointment on the phone. And whatever you do, please don’t put me on the spot in front of a bunch of strangers. It’ll take every ounce of my being to keep from being defensive.

Fear is a funny thing. What affects one person one way will be the complete opposite for another. My brother is totally the reverse of me when it comes to socializing. As an extrovert, he thrives on talking to multiple people throughout the day and feels energized when he goes out dancing or to a concert. For one of my best friends, she also thrives socializing with people but has a fear of heights. What’s easy for one is not always easy for another.

When it comes to photography, I think fear is often a driving factor to whether or not you will be successful. Perhaps it’s fear of failure, fear of rejection, or fear of letting someone down. Being wired a certain way is not a bad thing. We need variety in people to make life interesting. But how do we learn to overcome our fears? That’s something we’ve been trying to figure out for decades now.

For me, there are times when I simply have to push through the discomfort and do what I know is going to best for my business. That might mean meeting new people in a venue that’s not my particular favorite, or taking a chance on a business endeavor that I haven’t tried before.

Other times, it’s knowing my own limit and being willing to accept that I have to rethink a particular strategy, or asking for help when I feel overwhelmed. It’s hard to admit those things, but after years of being told when I had to work and how often, I came to realize that we have to know our personal limits as human beings.

So here’s the thing when it comes to owning your own business: It’s okay to take a day off now and again.

There are parts of the business that are undeniably fun, and it’s easy to overwork yourself in those times. But eventually it’s going to catch up with you, and you have to have balance in your work life even when you work from home.

That brings me back to fear. Taking time off from your home business doesn’t equal failure. I’m not sure how we’ve managed to get that into our heads, but I’ve talked with multiple small business owners who all felt the same way. Because they didn’t have a “traditional” job by society’s standards, they felt like they had to overcompensate to prove they were just as successful.

Fear of what other people might think is something that I’ve struggled with for many years, but we have to reach a point where we’re satisfied enough with our own accomplishments that no one else’s opinions matter.

Whether it’s curling up with a good book, going for a hike, working on a craft project, or hanging out with a friend - whatever it is that makes you happy, make sure you take some time for it. Especially if you’re the boss. In those cases, you’re often the only one who is going to take care of you.

Be blessed!