Time Management: 7 Techniques & 3 Tools to Help Clients
We'll discuss seven core components of time management and how to apply these, along with useful tools and recommended readings for your client's daily life.
fear of failing
Procrastination has many forms and is accompanied by negative feelings such as guilt and a <anchor>fear of failing</anchor>. The entire experience is stressful, which clients want to avoid or change (van Eerde & Klingsieck, 2018).
How to Overcome Fear of Failure: Your Ultimate Guide
How to Overcome Fear of Failure: Your Ultimate Guide

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# How to Overcome Fear of Failure: Your Ultimate Guide

**9 May 2023** by **[Anna Katharina Schaffner, Ph.D.](https://positivepsychology.com/team/anna-katharina-schaffner/)**

Scientifically reviewed by **[Maike Neuhaus Ph.D.](https://positivepsychology.com/team/maike-neuhaus/)**

![Ultimate guide to overcome fear of failure](https://positive.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Fear-of-failure-guide-300x150.jpeg)Although many of us may accept in theory that failure is a necessary component of all learning and growth, in practice, we often struggle greatly with failing.

Very few of us know how to fail well. Intellectually, we may know that we need a growth mindset in order to develop, and yet failure remains an experience that is often associated with shame and embarrassment.

Failure can also be socially stigmatized. How, then, can we overcome our fear of failure so that we can truly benefit from what failing has to teach us?

Before you continue, we thought you might like to [download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free](https://pro.positivepsychology.com/opt-in/3-free-pp-tools/). These science-based exercises explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology, including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.

## This Article Contains

- [What Is Fear of Failure? 3 Examples](#what-is-fear-of-failure-3-examples)
- [15 Common Symptoms of Fear of Failure](#15-common-symptoms-of-fear-of-failure)
- [6 Psychology Theories About Fear of Failure](#6-psychology-theories-about-fear-of-failure)
- [2 Fascinating Research Findings](#2-fascinating-research-findings)
- [How to Overcome Fear of Failure](#how-to-overcome-fear-of-failure)
- [Overcoming Fear of Failure at Work](#overcoming-fear-of-failure-at-work)
- [3 Activities for Individuals and Groups](#3-activities-for-individuals-and-groups)
- [3 Tests and Assessment Questionnaires](#3-tests-and-assessment-questionnaires)
- [Interesting Books About Fear of Failure](#interesting-books-about-fear-of-failure)
- [Resources From PositivePsychology.com](#resources-from-positivepsychology-com)
- [A Take-Home Message](#a-take-home-message)
- [References](#references)

## What Is Fear of Failure? 3 Examples

There are various reasons we may fear failure. Perhaps the most common is that our self-esteem tends to be tied to achievement and success.

When we fail at something — be that a project at work, a job interview, an exam, a competition — or if our relationship breaks down or our business goes under, our self-image suffers. We may feel worthless, and we may harshly castigate ourselves for our failure.

If we fail publicly, our failure plainly visible to others, we may also fear other people’s judgment and that our failure may have wider social repercussions. We may fear that our failure will impact or end our career, or else that it will permanently damage our reputation and status.

While it is understandable that we fear failure, this fear can also hold us back. It may prevent us from seeking new experiences, venturing into the unknown, or taking risks of any kind. It may lead to us staying in situations that do not make us happy and that are not conducive to long-term growth.

Fear of failure can cause procrastination, avoidance, and stagnation. In the form of [pessimistic beliefs](https://positivepsychology.com/pessimism-vs-optimism/) about our efficacy, agency, and chances of succeeding at what is important to us, it can adversely impact our wellbeing.

### Is fear of failure a phobia?

Extreme fear of failure is called atychiphobia, and it severely affects the ability of sufferers to function well in daily life (Collins Dictionary, n.d.).

While atychiphobia is not a recognized medical diagnosis, we can think of it as a sub-form of anxiety disorder. It may be manifested in extreme avoidant behavior and very maladaptive procrastination (Burka & Yuen, 2007).

It can be completely paralyzing and lead to affected clients being unable to function at their jobs or at home. It can also cause panic attacks and excessive ruminative anticipation of situations that trigger this fear response.

While this truly debilitating fear of failure is quite rare, a less pronounced and more subtle fear of failure is much more common. However, even in its less extreme form, fear of failure can have seriously adverse effects on wellbeing.

## 15 Common Symptoms of Fear of Failure

![Symptoms of Fear of Failure](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20300%20150'%3E%3C/svg%3E)Common symptoms of fear of failure include the following (Conroy et al., 2002).

In terms of behaviors, fear of failure can lead to:

- Procrastination
- Avoidance

In terms of physical symptoms, a fear of failure can generate:

- An increased heart rate
- Faster, shallower breathing
- Sweating
- Muscle tension
- Trembling
- Paralysis

Emotionally speaking, fear of failure may manifest as:

- Negative beliefs about our agency and efficacy
- Pessimism
- [Helplessness](https://positivepsychology.com/learned-helplessness-seligman-theory-depression-cure/)
- Hopelessness
- Low self-esteem
- Negative self-talk


and negative affect, in particular shame and embarrassment

![3 positive psychology exercises](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20400'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

## Download 3 Free Positive Psychology Exercises (PDF)

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## 6 Psychology Theories About Fear of Failure

We may not always be fully aware of our fear of failure, even when we experience its common core symptoms. But we can become more aware of what might be behind our fear of failure: our underlying beliefs, orientations, and past experiences that may have made us more failure averse.

### What causes fear of failure?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, psychologists have established that fear of failure is strongly correlated with [perfectionism](https://positivepsychology.com/perfectionism/) (Conroy et al., 2007).

Fear of failure is also related to specific self-beliefs, especially to our self-esteem being linked to achievement and success.

It is also shaped by experiences, upbringing, and wider social values. Essentially, fear of failure is a fear of judgment, often the perceived external judgment by others, but also inner judgment of value passed internally, which impacts self-image and self-esteem.

Atkinson (1957) described fear of failure as a desire to avoid failure in situations that matter to us because we fear the shame that is associated with it.

Conroy et al. (2002) explain fear of failure as a multidimensional construct. More specifically, it is a threat that we may experience when we seek to achieve personally meaningful goals. Failure is associated with aversive consequences.

Conroy et al. (2002) identified five core beliefs about the consequence of failure, all of which are associated with threat appraisal and fear.

They include:

1. Fear of experiencing shame and embarrassment
2. Fear of devaluing one’s self-estimate
3. Fear of having an uncertain future
4. Fear of important others losing interest
5. Fear of upsetting important others

### Fear of failure, perfectionism, and procrastination

Sagar and Stoeber (2009, p. 206) have shown that the “fear of experiencing shame and embarrassment is central in the relationship between perfectionism and fear of failure, and that perfectionistic concern about mistakes \[…\] are aspects of perfectionism that predict fear of experiencing shame and embarrassment and negative affect after failure.” McGregor and Elliot (2005) have also established a link between shame and fear of failure.

Stoeber and Otto (2006) have shown that it is important to be more precise when we talk about perfectionism. They suggest we differentiate carefully between “perfectionistic strivings,” that is, our desire for excellence and care for high performance, which are often positive, and “perfectionistic concerns.”

Perfectionistic concerns are our evaluations of our performance, and these evaluations can have a negative impact on our self-esteem and future performance. It is evaluative perfectionist concerns that have negative associations and consequences, not our perfectionist striving as such. Perfectionist concerns are, for example, closely linked with fear of failure in athletes (Frost & Henderson, 1991; Stoeber & Becker, 2008).

Moreover, Conroy et al. (2007) have shown that socially prescribed perfectionism is particularly toxic for performance and wellbeing. Parental expectations and parental criticism, too, can play a significant role in fear of failure.

Finally, Abdi Zarrin et al. (2020) have found a strong correlation between students’ tendencies to procrastinate and their fear of failure. Procrastination can have a severely negative impact on academic achievement. [Procrastination](https://positivepsychology.com/psychology-procrastination/) is both a consequence of and a symptom of fear of failure.

![Fear of Failure](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20924'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

### Fear of failure, motivation, and success

As Stoeber and Otto (2006) have shown, perfectionistic strivings can be highly motivating and lead to increased success, whereas perfectionist evaluations can lead to fear of failure and lack of taking action.

Fear of failure, in particular if we associate failure strongly with shame, embarrassment, negative self-image, judgment, and uncertainty about our future, can prevent us from taking action and risks. It can therefore stifle our motivation and severely impact our chances of succeeding in life.

### Fear of failure and anxiety

As mentioned above, excessive and truly paralyzing fear of failure is known as atychiphobia and can be considered a subcategory of anxiety disorder, although it is not recognized as an official medical diagnosis.

Anxieties that are associated with fear of failure usually revolve around fear of punishment; judgment; adverse impact on our careers, status, and reputation; and fear of losing or disappointing important others (Conroy et al. 2002).

## 2 Fascinating Research Findings

![Perfectionists](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20300%20150'%3E%3C/svg%3E)Sagar and Stoeber (2009, p. 621) found that perfectionists, especially those who score highly on perfectionist concerns and who tend to evaluate their own performance harshly, are particularly vulnerable to experiencing shame and embarrassment.

Crucially, it is their perceptions and interpretations that lead them to feel shame and embarrassment, not necessarily the objective quality of their performance as such. In other words, what counts as failure in their books may not be considered failure by other people.

Perfectionists often equate perfect performance with self-worth, whereas they see failure as a sign of being worthless (Tangney, 2002). This is obviously a highly problematic association. We may help clients who are prone to think like this to shift their focus from self-worth to self-acceptance and support them to develop more compassionate self-narratives that are not conditional on external success.

## How to Overcome Fear of Failure

How, then, can the fear of failure be overcome? First, look at your mindset — your attitudes about failing. Reminding yourself that there is no growth without failure — no learning, no development, no new experiences — can help you see your aversion in a new light.

Cultivate what Carol Dweck (2017) has called a [growth mindset](https://positivepsychology.com/growth-mindset/), an openness to learning from failure in the service of overall development.

Second, start by gently building your failure muscle in a safe space. Try to learn a new skill or hobby — a sport, cooking, dancing, drawing, playing an instrument — and be kind to yourself in the learning process. Mindfully allow yourself to fail, to try again, to fail again but better, and try again, until you get somewhere.

Third, recall gritty successful people who failed a hundred, or maybe even a thousand times, before they got somewhere with their attempts. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, for example, is famous for having said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Fourth, watch how a toddler learns to walk. They do not study a “how to walk upright” manual. Instead, they learn by doing and, especially, by failing. They stand up, stumble, fall, stand up, stumble, fall, and stand up again, over and over again, until they learn to stand, then to walk, and then how to run.

Finally, simply start seeing your failures as teachers. Instead of indulging in self-recrimination and feeling sorry for yourself when you fail, ask yourself: What can I learn from this experience? What can I do better next time? What is the lesson here? And remember: While it is hard to fail, it is much worse never to have tried to succeed.

## Overcoming Fear of Failure at Work

![Fear of failure at work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20300%20150'%3E%3C/svg%3E)A fear of failure at work is not a trivial matter.

Excessive fear of failure at work can stifle experimentation, productivity, and creativity. It can impact your ability to find new pathways and venture into the unknown in search of new solutions to challenges. But attitudes to failure at work are a collective challenge.

To truly learn from failure at work, a culture change may be needed. Organizational cultures should support experimentation and be committed to continuous learning and growth. That includes looking at failure with openness and curiosity rather than punishing it.

The Japanese concept of “kaizen” — steady, incremental improvement — can be very helpful for implementing genuine learning cultures in organizations.

![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20700%20700'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

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Updated monthly. 100% Science-based.

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## 3 Activities for Individuals and Groups

The good news is that fear of failure can be overcome. We can build our “failure muscle” gently and in safe spaces, alone or together.

### 1\. Try something new

Learn a new skill as a group and have fun in the process. That might be ice skating, rock climbing, hip-hop dancing, a cooking class, or wood carving. When you mess up or fall on your back, try to laugh about it.

This will help you let go of unhelpful perfectionism and train your collective failure muscles. Give yourself permission to fail playfully.

### 2\. Reflection sessions

Introduce regular failure-analysis sessions in your workplace. Learn to talk openly about what went wrong, but also what went well, and what you can learn from these experiences.

These sessions will help destigmatize failure in your organization and allow you to shift your mindset to one of learning. Follow the motto: “There is no failure, only feedback.”

### 3\. Journal the lessons learned

Journal about your private failures. Keep a little diary in which you capture what your failures have taught you. Take seriously Samuel Beckett’s advice about “failing better.” How can you fail better next time?

## 3 Tests and Assessment Questionnaires

![Fear of failure tests](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20300%20150'%3E%3C/svg%3E)Conroy et al. (2002) developed the Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory (PFAI).

It differentiates five aversive fears of failure:

- Fear of experiencing shame and embarrassment
- Fear of devaluing one’s self-estimate
- Fear of having an uncertain future
- Fear of important others losing interest
- Fear of upsetting important others

The PFAI includes 25 items measuring beliefs associated with negative consequences of failure.

You can [take the test](https://lyfas.com/test/do-you-suffer-from-fear-of-failure-and-cant-take-action-test-your-inner-fear-of-failure-of-performance-with-online-free-validated-self-assessment-psychology-questionnaire-test-with-performance-fai/) online for free.

Here is another test, the [Success Likelihood Test](https://testyourself.psychtests.com/testid/2138), to assess where you are on the fear of failure scale.

If you think your fear of failure is so severe that it might be atychiphobia, you might find the [Failure Phobia](http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/failure-phobia/online-test/) test useful.

## Interesting Books About Fear of Failure

There are two classics about how to overcome fear of failure and work on your mindset, written by two acclaimed authors. In addition, we share a third book that advocates the destigmatization of failure.

### 1\. _Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfil Your Potential_ – Carol Dweck

[![Mindset](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20186%20300'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/147213995X/) In her highly influential book, Carol Dweck argues that people generally have two types of mindsets: a fixed mindset or a growth mindset.

We have a fixed mindset when we believe that our abilities, skills, and intelligence are fixed and cannot be changed. Conversely, we have a growth mindset when we believe we can develop and improve our abilities. We may grow and develop through hard work, perseverance, and of course by learning from our mistakes.

People with a growth mindset are much more likely to embrace challenges, persist through obstacles, and see failure as learning opportunities. Those with a fixed mindset, by contrast, may be more likely to give up when faced with challenges or setbacks and may see failure as a reflection of their own inherent limitations.

Find the book on [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/147213995X/).

* * *

### 2\. _Grit: Why_ _Passion and Resilience are the Secrets to Success_ – Angela Duckworth

[![Grit](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20186%20293'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3CQDRP6/)

In this book, psychologist Angela Duckworth defines grit as the combination of passion and perseverance over time.

Grit, she argues, is a key predictor of success in any field. Crucially, it can be cultivated and developed through deliberate practice and effort — just like a growth mindset. Grit also entails learning from failure.

Duckworth suggests that having grit involves setting long-term goals and working toward them with sustained effort and resilience, even in the face of obstacles and setbacks.

She also emphasizes the importance of having a sense of purpose and passion for what we do, both of which are crucial for sustaining motivation and focus.

Find the book on [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3CQDRP6/).

* * *

### 3\. _Black Box Thinking_ – Matthew Syed

[![Black Box Thinking](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20186%20285'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1473613809/)

Another outstanding book on learning from failure is _Black Box Thinking_, by journalist Matthew Syed.

Syed presents a compelling case for changing our collective attitudes to failure.

Advocating “black box thinking,” Syed invites us to cultivate a mindset that destigmatizes failure and instead seeks to harness its benefits.

Find the book on [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1473613809/).

## Resources From PositivePsychology.com

If you’d like to find out more about this topic, you may find these articles on explanatory style, resilience, and overcoming perfectionism inspiring, too.

- [What Are Attributional and Explanatory Styles in Psychology?](https://positivepsychology.com/explanatory-styles-optimism/)
- [How to Be Mentally Strong: 14 Ways to Build Mental Toughness](https://positivepsychology.com/mentally-strong/)
- [How to Overcome Perfectionism: 15 Worksheets & Resources](https://positivepsychology.com/how-to-overcome-perfectionism/)

Besides these great articles, the following worksheets can be used when helping your clients face their fears:

#### Graded Exposure Worksheet

[Graded Exposure](https://positive.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/Graded-Exposure-Worksheet.pdf) is a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy technique that is designed to help people confront and overcome their fears, including fear of failing.

When we are fearful of something, we may avoid it. While this avoidance may help in reducing fear in the short term, over the long term it can make the fear even worse.

Graded exposure involves creating a safe environment in which clients can become “exposed” to the things they fear and avoid.

#### Facing Up to Your Fears

[This exercise](https://positive.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Facing-Up-To-Your-Fears.pdf) can be done with a partner. Together, you can reflect on your fears openly and support each other in the process.

#### Understand Your Fears

[This exercise](https://positive.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Understand-Your-Fear.pdf) helps you understand your fears more deeply, by breaking your fear into different components. It can also be applied to the fear of failure.

Other free tools you would find helpful are included in our [CBT tools pack](https://pro.positivepsychology.com/opt-in/3-free-cbt-tools/). Why not download the tools, and try out the exercises within? Some examples include:

- _Reframing Critical Self-Talk_


This exercise helps you to notice, spot, and then reframe your critical self-talk. In the context of fear of failure, you can use it to reframe your anxieties about not measuring up or failing at something.
- _Strengths Spotting by Exception Finding_


This exercise helps you to spot your strengths so that you can draw on your strengths more consciously and deliberately in high-stakes situations in which you fear failure.
- _Solution-Focused Guided Imagery_


This exercise helps you envisage solutions to your problems or to important challenges you are facing and that you fear you may fail at.

If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others enhance their wellbeing, [this signature collection contains 17 validated positive psychology tools](https://pro.positivepsychology.com/product/17-positive-psychology-exercises/) for practitioners. Use them to help others flourish and thrive.

![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20700%20700'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

## 17 Top-Rated Positive Psychology Exercises for Practitioners

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## A Take-Home Message

Both as individuals and as a culture, we have a lot to learn from failure. And this matters, for without failure, there would be no progress, learning, or growth.

Failure also taps into one of the ancient virtues: courage. If we don’t dare, we can’t win.

Trying something new and venturing outside of our comfort zone always entail the risk of failure. But if we live to avoid failure at all costs, our lives will be impoverished and diminished. While we may avoid the pain of failing publicly, we inflict another kind of pain on ourselves: that of languishing and stagnating. We shrink our field of play.

Remember that fear of failure is the number one killer of all grand plans, exciting ideas, and positive visions for the future.

If you have a plan to build a legacy, become a champion, start a business, or any other task big or small but are held back by your fears, we encourage you to step forward, face your fears, accept what you learn from the process, and flourish.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to [download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free](https://pro.positivepsychology.com/opt-in/3-free-pp-tools/).

References

- Abdi Zarrin, S., Gracia, E., & Paixão, M. P. (2020). Prediction of academic procrastination by fear of failure and self-regulation. _Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice_, _20_(3), 34–43.
- Atkinson, J. W. (1957). Motivational determinant of risk-taking behavior. _Psychological Review_, _64_, 359–372.
- Burka, J., & Yuen, L. M. (2007). _Procrastination: Why you do it, what to do about it now._ Hachette.
- Collins Dictionary. (n.d.). Atychiphobia. In _Collins online dictionary_. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.collinsdictionary.com/submission/19046/atychiphobia.
- Conroy, D. E., Kaye, M. P., & Fifer, A. M. (2007). Cognitive links between fear of failure and perfectionism. _Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy_, _25_(4), 237–253.
- Conroy, D. E., Willow, J. P., & Metzler, J. N. (2002). Multidimensional fear of failure measurement: The Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory. _Journal of Applied Sport Psychology_, _14_, 76–90.
- Dweck, C. S. (2017). _Mindset: Changing the way you think to fulfil your potential_ (Updated ed.). Robinson.
- Frost, R. O., & Henderson, K. J. (1991). Perfectionism and reactions to athletic competition. _Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology_, _13_, 323–335.
- McGregor, H. A., & Elliot, A. J. (2005). The shame of failure: Examining the link between fear of failure and shame. _Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin_, _31_, 218–231.
- Sagar, S. S., & Stoeber, J. (2009). Perfectionism, fear of failure, and affective responses to success and failure: The central role of fear of experiencing shame and embarrassment. _Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology_, _31_, 602–627.
- Stoeber, J., & Becker, C. (2008). Perfectionism, achievement motives, and attribution of success and failure in female soccer players. _International Journal of Psychology_, _43_, 980–987.
- Stoeber, J., & Otto, K. (2006). Positive conceptions of perfectionism: Approaches, evidence, challenges. _Personality and Social Psychology Review_, _10_, 295–319.
- Tangney, J. P. (2002). Perfectionism and the self-conscious emotions: Shame, guilt, embarrassment and pride. In G. L. Flett, & P. L. Hewitt (Eds.), _Perfectionism: Theory, research, and treatment_ (pp. 199–216). American Psychological Association.

About the author

[Anna K. Schaffner](https://positivepsychology.com/team/anna-katharina-schaffner/), Ph.D., is a professional burnout and executive coach and a writer. She used to be a professor of Cultural History at the University of Kent. Anna specialises in helping people overcome burnout and overwhelm and rediscover their passion and purpose. Her unique blend of expertise as both a writer and a coach reflects a lifelong dedication to the art of self-improvement.

![Dr. Anna Schaffner](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20280%20280'%3E%3C/svg%3E)

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## What our readers think

1. ![Arturo Vazquez Jr.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%2080%2080'%3E%3C/svg%3E)



Arturo Vazquez Jr.
on May 10, 2023 at 22:27







A great initial starting point for our students that are struggling with this personal efficiency. Mindset and growth mindset are the stronger indicators of personality traits that will allow individuals to develop positive results.

[Reply](#comment-30438)


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