Fear of failure: the trap of thinking that does not allow us to grow
Forming / / December 19, 2019
Let's say you need to meet with the client and offer him my idea. This is exciting, because it can deny you or express criticism in the face. It is much easier to do a phone call or even send an email, it is so the risk of getting negative emotions much less. You understand that in person it is easier to convince a person, but still gives in to fear of failure.
How it manifests itself
This cognitive bias causes to avoid risks. It manifests itself in the form of anxiety, negative thoughts, unwillingness to act. The possibility of failure is too painful, and you fear it more than necessary.
Fear of failure affected even on what goals you are putting yourself what strategies are using to achieve them.
Anyone who is more vulnerable to such cognitive distortions, primarily thinking of preventing the loss, not gain. For example, delayed at work, only to hack and do not seem to hold down a job. The idea of ββa possible dismissal so frightening that a person is willing to stay up late just for visibility. Even when in reality there is no reason for alarm.
What does it lead
Because of fear of failure you avoid situations in which you will once be judged and evaluated. Let's say the meeting with an important client on which you need to sell him your product.
Sometimes people even deliberately put obstacles in its path, then to cancel on them fail. For example, call the customer at lunch time when it is most likely unavailable. In this case the failure can be attributed to the fact that a person could not be contacted.
In the long term, the fear of failure leads to physical and mental health problems. Those who are highly susceptible to this phenomenon, often suffer from emotional exhaustionFear of failure, psychological stress, and burnout among adolescent athletes competing in high level sport.. they slowlyEffects of implicit fear of failure on cognitive processing: A diffusion model analysis learn and store information. They are more dissatisfied with their lives, constantly experiencing anxiety and hopelessness.
What explains such a distortion
For most people, success and failure are directly linkedFear of failure among a sample of Jordanian undergraduate students with self-esteem. "If I fail, then I do not umeeyu not cost anything. I'm not smart enough or talented to achieve this goal. I will consider a loser, with me not want to work. I have to be ashamed of themselves. "
Such thoughts do not give to see anything other than fear.
Social psychologists Timothy Wilson (Timothy Wilson) and Daniel Gilbert (Daniel Gilbert) explainFocalism: A Source of Durability Bias in Affective Forecasting it fokalizmom - tendency to overestimate the influence of the possible events for our emotional state. Thinking about the consequences of failure, we attach too much importance to the central event (failure). If we forget about the pleasure of the next project, and simple everyday things that give us joy. The threat of failure completely absorbs our attention.
At the same time we forget that we have a psychological immune system. It protects against what threatens mental health? - stress, depression, negative emotions. Because of the fear of failure we underestimateImmune neglect: a source of durability bias in affective forecasting. it and its stability. We can not imagine that failed and rethink izvlechom from it useful lesson.
How not to fall into the trap
Consider it to make decisions. Do not rush into rash adventure, but do not give up the opportunity just because of fear.
Look for a balance between risk and caution.
To reduce it, start doing what you frightening. While you are only contemplating it, you are very activeStimulation of medial prefrontal cortex decreases the responsiveness of central amygdala output neurons. the amygdala. This area of ββthe brain involved in the formation of emotions. But when you take over the case, activates the prefrontal cortex - the department responsible for making decisions and other complex thought processes. In this case, the activity of the amygdala is reduced, and the problem does not seem so terrible.
Develop new skills and learn to feel more confident in their abilities. Seek support and use the experience of other people. And do not forget that people usually do not regret that have started and failed, and that does not even try to do.
see alsoπ§
- 5 ways to instantly become more confident
- As failure to help in achieving success: tips billionaires
- How to overcome the fear of failure