Fail Big, Fail Often, and Fail Forward

Do you struggle with a fear of failure? I did. But I’ve come to realize that fear of failure is often tied to another, deeper fear—the fear of what other people think. These two fears are intertwined, feeding off each other and holding us back.

Recently, I uncovered another fear buried deep within me—the fear of success. It may sound strange, but it, too, is connected to worrying about what others think. Here’s why: any time you decide to make a change in your life, you inevitably change the dynamics of your relationships. The truth is, whether you succeed or fail, some people will be annoyed simply because you are changing. People don’t like change. And once you come to terms with this, you may finally stop worrying about what others think—because in many ways, it’s a no-win scenario.

That leaves us with the fear of failure and the fear of success.

I’ve adopted a new mindset about failure, and it’s making a difference. I now see failure as a necessary part of the journey to success. Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s the pathway to it. Big failures clear the way for new ideas and approaches. Frequent failures speed up the timeline. Failing forward means using failure as fuel to push you toward your goals, while failing backward leads to withdrawal and giving up—and that’s the kind of failure none of us can afford.

The fear of success, on the other hand, comes from resistance to change. Even when success is beneficial, internal doubts will creep in, making you question whether you’re ready. If you don’t address these doubts, your own mind will play tricks on you and hold you back. That’s why you must train your brain to associate success with joy rather than fear.

So, the next time those negative voices start whispering doubts in your head, remind yourself of this: You are willing to pay the price of failing big, failing often, and failing forward—because your dreams are worth it. Success outweighs surrender, even if the people around you don’t appreciate the new you.

I wish you well on your journey. Have a great day!