Overcoming the Fear of Failure – How to Reframe It & Take Action - Day 16

Ep. 150 - Overcoming the Fear of Failure – How to Reframe It & Take Action - Day 16

Description:

Fear of failure is one of the biggest obstacles to success. But what if failure isn’t something to avoid—but a necessary step in the process? In today’s episode of Clear & On Purpose, we’re breaking down:

✔️ Why we fear failure & how it keeps us stuck

✔️ How to reframe failure as feedback instead of defeat

✔️ Practical ways to move forward despite fear

✔️ A simple mindset shift that makes failure feel less scary

If you’ve been holding yourself back because you’re afraid of failing, this episode is for you.

Listen now & take the next step forward—fear or no fear!

Blog Post: https://christinaslaback.com/2025/02/16/day-16-overcoming-the-fear-of-failure-why-playing-it-safe-is-holding-you-back/

Resources Mentioned:

• Join The Village: Click here to connect with our community.
• Sign up for the Momentum Challenge: Click here to get started.

Resources & Links

• Follow Christina @christinaslaback
• Email us at hello@christinaslaback.com
• www.christinaslaback.com

Transcript

Day 16 - Fear of Failure

Christina: [00:00:00] If we look at failure as feedback, as information, education, what does this experience teach us? How can we lower the stakes? Success doesn't have to mean perfection. It doesn't have to mean hitting the goal the first time, it can mean progress, learning, and showing up. It can be all of those stages of what's building that self trust and that self confidence for yourself .

Welcome to Clear and On Purpose, the podcast designed to help you cut through the noise and get back to what matters most. If you're feeling stuck but need to take intentional action, you're in the right place. I'm Kristina Slaibach, homeschooling mom of two and life and business coach, helping you drop in and align with your values and create more space.

Each week I'll be sharing practical insights and simple, Actual steps to help you find clarity, boost your energy and design a life that [00:01:00] balances ambition with. Let's dive in and get clear on purpose.

Welcome back to Clear and On Purpose. Today we're tackling something that holds so many people back, myself included, the fear of failure. If you've ever avoided taking action because you were afraid of messing up or looking foolish, this episode's for you. So why do we fear failure? The fear of failure is one of the biggest reasons that we stay stuck.

I hear all the time from clients that they're just feeling really stuck or they don't know what to do. And more often than not, it's not that they actually are stuck or that they don't know what to do. It's that they know what to do, but they're scared of failing. If we don't try, we can still hold on to that idea of success.

But if we try and fail, that's [00:02:00] terrifying. That can have a big impact on our self confidence and self esteem. The reason it's so terrifying is because sometimes we allow only one definition of success. Doing it perfectly the first time, and anything else feels like a failure. And let's be honest, the idea of failing publicly makes it even worse.

I've struggled with perfectionism and the fear of failing in front of others, most of my life. The idea of putting in 100 percent effort and still not succeeding feels unbearable at times. But over time, I've realized that failure isn't proof that we aren't good enough. It's proof that we're trying, learning, and growing.

Failure isn't the opposite of success. It's a part of success. Entrepreneurs and innovators fail all the time before they succeed, [00:03:00] and investors actually prefer people who have failed because it shows resilience and adaptability. The real failure is never starting at all. So how can we reframe failure?

If we look at failure instead as feedback, as information, education, what does this experience teach us? How can we lower the stakes? Success doesn't have to mean perfection. It doesn't have to mean hitting the goal the first time, it can mean progress, learning, and showing up. It can be all of those stages of what's building that self trust and that self confidence for yourself.

And one of the biggest things that I've learned, that I think a lot of people struggle with, is detaching that failure From your own feelings of self worth, [00:04:00] knowing that you are already enough simply as you are not based on what you do, not based on your actions, not based on your progress, and knowing that your value isn't tied to external outcomes.

So we're moving your own self worth. From that idea of failure or that if you fail, you are no longer worthy.

I want you to sit back for a minute and think about a time that you failed, quote unquote failed. What did you learn from it? How did that experience help you later? How can you reframe that failure to see it for the growth that it is?

But how do we overcome this fear and take action anyways? You can start to ask yourself. What's the worst case [00:05:00] scenario? if I do this and I fail, what is the worst case scenario of that? And then look at it and say, how likely is that? the worst case scenario is that I start my business and I fail.

What is, what's the worst case scenario? I don't make any money, I have to go back and get a job. Okay, so that's the worst case scenario that's not that bad. And then how likely is that? you can assess. But a lot of us, because we spend so much time preventing against failure, we don't look at it from the other side, and ask ourselves, what's the best possible outcome?

What if I start that business and I succeed wildly? How likely is that scenario? 

What am I willing to take action on to be able to move that forward? [00:06:00] And finally, what are you risking by staying still? If you are in this exact same position a year from now, if you take no action, what does that mean? What is the opportunity cost of not taking action? If you take action and you fail spectacularly, you'll get a lot of information and you'll be able to adjust and pivot and go for something else.

If you stay stuck in indecision and unwillingness to take action, and you find yourself in this exact same position a year from now, what is that going to mean? How is that going to feel? If you can stop letting the fear of failure control you, just think about what you can accomplish. 

do so from taking action. They do so from feeling that fear and moving anyway. [00:07:00] It's not about being fearless. It's about feeling fear and going anyway. And one way that you can actually kind of lean into what the overall fear is.

And what it's trying to do is to journal about that. Fear, why are you here?

Usually it's trying to keep you safe. It's trying to keep you where you are because it knows what to expect there.

Thank you for trying to keep me safe and I'm going to move anyway. I'm going to let you come with us. I'm going to let you ride beside me. I'm going to let you sit here, fear. I'm not trying to push you away, but I'm taking action anyways, because this is more important than that.

Because I've got me.[00:08:00] 

Failure is only failure if you stop. Otherwise it's growth. So take action today. Even if it's messy and even if it's imperfect, do that thing that you're scared of. And if today's episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs this reminder. And join us in Momentum Month and let's talk about our fears.

Let's help to unpack them and motivate and encourage each other. Failure is just one step in your ultimate journey of growth.

Thank you for tuning in to Clear and On Purpose. If you're ready to take intentional steps toward a more fulfilling life and want to customize the approach, I'd love to work with you. Visit www. christinaslayback. com to schedule a free [00:09:00] consultation or explore current offers designed to help you gain clarity and reclaim your energy.

And don't forget to subscribe and share this episode with a friend if you found it helpful. It helps others find the show and grow our community.