Situation · Yourself
“I'm terrified of failing”
What could be going on
Failure schema: Believing you're bound to fail fits; check whether evidence says otherwise.
Perfectionism: Fear that anything less than perfect is failure fits.
Contingent self-worth: If worth rides on success, failure feels like losing yourself.
Growth and fixed mindset: A fixed view of ability makes failure feel like a verdict; check how you see effort.
Regulatory focus (promotion and prevention): A prevention focus fits; check whether avoiding loss drives you more than gains.
Self-handicapping: Check whether you set up excuses before you try.
Questions to carry
- With the goal I fear failing at most right now, who do I picture watching?
- If I failed, what do I fear it would prove about me?
Also said as
- fear of failure stops me
- I won't try unless I know I'll succeed
- my son won't try new things in case he fails
- failing feels like the end of the world
- I'm afraid of failure
- why am I so scared to fail