Trying New Things and the Fear of Failure

As I type the title of this post, “Trying New Things – Fear of Failure” I want to write about something else.  Because of that, I’m writing this post.  I’m not going to save it as a draft or not publish it on my blog – I’m putting it out there because I am trying new things without the fear of failure.  From trying new things, I’m having all sorts of emotions colliding at the same time.

TRYING NEW THINGS #1 – PHOTOGRAPHY:

My first new thing is that I’m taking a photography class.  I’ve loved taking photos since I was a little girl.  One of my favorite things to do with my hubby is to take drives and stop to take photos of something that pulls at me.

As much as I’ve loved photography since I have memories as a young girl, fast forward to even today, I’ve been a point and shoot photographer.  Yes, that is very limited as far as photography goes but that was as good as I thought I was capable of.  A few years ago, I bought a really good DSLR Canon Rebel.  Obviously, it has the ability to take awesome manual shots but I’ve used it on Automatic setting (aka point and shoot).

I have a close friend that also loves photography.  She takes these amazing, beautiful photos.  I love looking at her pics and always admired them.  She’s way beyond the point and shoot level.  My friend found this photography class and we’re both taking it.  Exciting, right?  Yes, it is exciting but it is also way beyond my point and shoot history, and I’m learning and trying new things in this class.  I’ll learn about light, manual settings and the ins/outs of photography.  There is this voice in me that tells me that “I can’t do it”, “I do just fine with Auto mode” and this fear of failing.  That voice is very loud yet I’m moving forward and doing it anyway.

TRYING NEW THINGS #2 – WRITE AN E-BOOK:

My next new thing I’m trying is to write a downloadable e-book.  The book will be available here on my blog.  I’ve wanted to do this for a long time but haven’t.  I’ve done lots of thinking about it but less writing.  I’ve written tons of content in recent years.  I’m a published author of writing hundreds of articles and handouts, hundreds of blog posts, and written a coaching workshop manual.  With all of these many years of writing experience, wouldn’t you think writing an e-book would be easy and no big deal?  Well, it isn’t.

I’ve put it off because of that voice in me that tells me I can’t do it, I don’t need to do it and yet again, fear of failing.  My friend’s influence of encouraging me is louder than the voice that tells me that I can’t.

What do both of these situations have in common?  Boiled down, it is my fear of failure.  I love photography and believe in the topic of my e-book but have been content to stay stuck – until now.  Below are a few things I’ve done that have helped me.

“We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face… we must do that which we think we cannot.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

CONQUER MY FEAR OF FAILURE:

1.  Being Perfect – I wanted to be a perfect photographer with perfect photos.  I also want to write an e-book that will be regarded as helpful and valuable to others – write the perfect e-book on “Back On Track”.  There’s no such thing as perfect.  Perfect is only an unattainable, unrealistic level that really doesn’t exist.  Yet that pursuit of perfection will result in procrastination and being immobilized to pursue what I want to do.

2.  Ask for Support – I’ve asked my hubby and a trusted close friend for their support.  I can’t see the forest for the trees.  I know that my hubby and friend will tell me the real deal about anything.  I won’t get fake fluff to build me up.  Both also have a sensitivity to tell me if something sucks.  They provide honest feedback but also encourage and motivate me when I need it.

3.  Worst Thing – I also ask myself what is the worst thing that could happen.  If I can overcome the “worst thing” to regroup and move forward, then I can’t fail.  The large majority of the time, the “worst thing” never happens.  If I’m okay with the worst thing, then my fear of failure just evaporates.

4.  Fear of Failure Wins – I refuse to be defeated and stay stuck with my fear of failure.  It is important to me to never have regrets.  Whether it is a regret in a relationship or taking creative photos utilizing manual settings and wanting to write an e-book and never doing it, I don’t want to look back and live with regrets.  Plus, I’m much more than any fear of failure.  I won’t let that fear hold me back from achieving my goals, dreams and aspirations.

Lastly, I ask myself a question that I’ll also share with you –

What would you undertake if you weren’t afraid of failing?

Whatever your answer is…..go pursue it NOW!