Fear of Failure

We already know (most do) that we are controlled by fear. It is one of the most dominating emotions in the world. I’m not going to go into what each of us fear. I don’t want to give it any more energy than it already has. I don’t want to give it anymore power over me than it already has.

The other most dominating emotion is what we know as unconditional love. It is not what we think it is. It is the energy that permeates the fabric of reality. The other energy only exists because we have created the illusion that it does exist. We bring it into existence by giving it our focus.

This is a little philosophical. The purpose here is not to be philosophical. This is the groundwork laid to help understand that fear is deep-rooted. It is as easy to deny the existence of fear as it is to admit it. By admitting fear is present in our lives, we take the first step in overcoming it.

There are myriad things to fear, so the best approach to overcoming it seems to be like eating an elephant: One bite at a time.

Here is the first bite; fear of failure. I have to ask the question, ‘do I fear failure?’ Looking at it from a perspective where I am not trying to hide from the he truth, not trying to hide behind a mask, I think I have to admit that I do fear failure. There is no reason to fear it. I have failed many times in my life. Every failure has brought a greater success with it.

I published my first book in April of 2018. When I completed it, I had to submit it for publication. I had to press ‘SUBMIT’ and my finger hovered over it for several seconds before I could bring myself to press it. Once I did press it, The thoughts of inadequacy flooded in. They were mostly thoughts that people who read it would think it was horrible and I would be ridiculed. The response has been very positive though, so the fear was unfounded.

What if it was horrible and people didn’t like it. Other people’s opinion of me is none of my business, so it shouldn’t matter to me. That was four months ago. I just flipped through the book and read some of the poems that are included. It is the first time since they were written that I have read through them. I read them with a new perspective, as a reader, not an author.

I was amazed at the craftsmanship and authenticity that came through. I thought, ‘the person who wrote this is a genius’. That person was me. This is an important piece of literature that every person should read, especially the blue-collar worker.

What was I afraid of again? Something that doesn’t exist. Failure did not exist until I brought it into my thoughts. Maybe I’m afraid of success? Failure and success are different sides of the same coin and where one is the other is lying in wait. Whatever energy is focused on becomes our reality.

I need to direct my focus on the reality that I want and look toe the success that is always there.