Food For Thought: Are you scared of failing? Join the club
Natalie MacDonald
Senior News Editor, Special Projects Lead - APAC @ LinkedIn | Currently on parental leave
According to Inc Magazine, 43% of business people experience fears of all kinds. No, not spiders or even heights but a fear of failure, mistakes and even a fear of the unknown.
I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear to wake me up and get going, rather than retreat – Sylvester Stallone
Do you ever find yourself fearing criticism or rejection? Believe it or not you’re not alone:
- 99% of the adult population have a simultaneous fear of criticism and rejection
- 66% of the population have a fear of death
- 74% of the public has a fear of public speaking
So how do you deal with rejection? We all fear failure, but how do we stop that from holding us back at work?
“You don’t see these big companies stop advertising when someone doesn’t buy their product. You just keep doing it,” business coach Daniel Tolson tells LinkedIn. “Not everybody is going to buy. And everybody in business has to be ok with that.”
The worst thing you can do is nothing – Terry Pratchett
This week's #FoodForThought explores our fear of criticism and rejection, and offers your three-step action plan to getting tough when the going gets rough.
How do you deal with rejection? When was the last time you felt you could have done better? Do you brood over being rejected or do you bounce straight to the next adventure? Share your experiences in the comments below.
#FoodForThought is a newsletter serving up food for your brain and fuel for your body. Exploring news headlines, economic trends and workforce issues and washing them down with a healthy snack. Subscribe and share your thoughts.
MS- Construction & Engineering Management
5 年Wonderful
Talent Acquisition Partner
5 年I think the fear of rejection is normal and if you don't feel fear then then thats not normal.? Feeling fear is par for the course, and those that can push through that fear and beyond it and persist will realise the rewards on the other side for their commitment. Our mind is such a powerful organ that can convince us to do something or not.? The old adage if you believe you can you will and if you believe you can't you won't - either way your right!!!? Its a matter of not letting the brain rule the body and prevent you from getting past the fear.? Its all a mental game.
Design Engineer
5 年Awsome
Asset Finance Broker at Australia's Leading Car Finance Broker
5 年Great article and great advice!
Who do you want to meet? I may be able to help. Me? We help medium to large organisations increase Productivity and Sustain it with Continuous Improvement and Leadership Consultancy and Training.
5 年Fantastic advice Daniel. An easy plan to follow to overcome the fear of rejection. Best wishes, Robert Briffa