Sheer gut-churning terror
Do you feel successful?
I don’t
“Could do better if he tried” was the usual comment I got at school –
Nonetheless, I have done better than I expected and my greatest ally has been fear of failure.
Whenever I have to do a job I fear I can’t do it.
Whenever I have to make a speech I fear I’ll be a flop.
Whenever I face anything more than routine I fear I’ll fail.
How about you? Ablaze with confidence? Or do you share my abject terror?
I believe fear is good for you.
As the poet Yeats put it: “The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity”
And: In the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt” – Bertrand Russell
“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts” – Charles Bukowski.
If you think success is your birthright, frankly you’re on a hiding to nothing.
Only by knowing you must try harder can you hope to succeed.
Every great creative person I can think of knows this fear. Do you?
Like to know more?
I’m visiting Liverpool in January to discuss Panic – Your Best Friend.
Thank God.
Your fear of failure has filled me with hope.
I thought I was the only one who doubted myself. I thought I was the only one who wanted everything perfect and consistently makes changes to make sure things are right. But now, I realize, even a guru like you face this dilemma. And what’s better: it is what drives us towards success.
Wonderful post. I’m impressed!
Please keep me posted for more.
Yours truly.
Unfortunately, my fear of failure has stopped me trying. It’s ironic because by not trying I’m ensuring failure.
Just knowing that last part hasn’t made any difference in my lack of trying. This is despite being told by many, including some A-list copywriters, that my work is good.