BREAKING THE FEAR OF FAILURE
Starting something new can be terrifying. Whether it’s your fitness journey, a new career path, a creative project, or just any challenge you’ve been wanting to tackle, there’s always that nagging fear in the back of our minds. What if I fail? That fear can be so paralysing that we don’t even start, which is why we’re here to remind ourselves, f*ck failure.
Yes, I said it. I could have probably used a different word, but it didn’t have as much impact ☺ Because here’s the truth, the only real failure is letting fear hold you back from going after what you truly want. Growth isn’t about avoiding failure; it’s about taking action in spite of it.
If you’ve been waiting to start your fitness journey or take on any new challenge in life, this post is for you. Understanding that fear of failing exists, why it’s not worth holding onto, and how you can crush any goal with the right mindset.
Fear of failure is rooted in the idea that if we try and don’t succeed, it somehow reflects poorly on us. In fitness, it’s easy to get caught up in this. We see people who are super fit or achieving their goals, and we feel like the bar is set impossibly high. We tell ourselves, what if I don’t measure up? What if I can’t reach that? What if I can never look as good as that person? But this mindset isn’t limited to fitness; it happens in any new challenge.
Trying to start a business? What if it flops? Pursuing a creative project? What if it’s not ‘good enough’? Considering a fitness journey? What if I don’t see results fast enough? But here’s the thing: every journey, every accomplishment is riddled with obstacles. Nobody gets it right on the first try. In fact, no one becomes a success story without stumbling along the way.
Let’s rethink what failure means. Instead of seeing it as a dead end, view it as data. Each challenge you face, each tough day, each mistake is just feedback. These moments tell you what’s working, what’s not, and what needs adjusting. Didn’t lose weight or gain strength as quickly as you wanted? Now you know where to focus. Did a project not take off? That’s just a sign to refine, pivot, or try a different approach. I still to this day weigh myself daily.
Whether you’re starting a fitness journey, a creative pursuit, or any other goal, remember: failure isn’t the end; it’s a tool. It gives you insights into what you need to do to grow stronger and smarter. And the more you embrace this, the less fear will hold you back.
So, how do we actually ‘start’ despite the fear? Here’s a plan to help you launch into your fitness goals or any new pursuit without letting the fear of failure hold you back:
1. Set Clear, Manageable Goals
One of the biggest reasons people quit is because they set enormous, overwhelming goals right off the bat. Instead, start small and specific. If you’re diving into fitness, maybe it’s a daily 10-minute workout or hitting 5,000 steps. If you’re pursuing a new hobby, set aside 30 minutes a few times a week to focus on it. I set myself a goal of walking 1km when I first started my weight loss journey which built up and up from there.
These small, attainable goals create momentum. The more small wins you rack up, the more confidence you build, and the easier it becomes to tackle even bigger challenges.
2. Focus on Consistency Over Perfection
Consistency is everything, no matter what you’re working on. In fitness, it’s better to do something small each day than to attempt intense workouts you can’t keep up with. In creative or professional pursuits, the same rule applies. Commit to small, regular efforts over a perfect, huge commitment you’re likely to abandon.
With consistency, you’re always moving forward, even if it’s slow. And every day you stick with it, you’re building habits that will bring real, lasting results.
3. Redefine What Success Means to You
What does success look like to you? If your definition is based only on the outcome like hitting a target weight, landing a promotion, or getting external praise you’re bound to feel discouraged along the way. Instead, redefine success as the act of showing up, of trying again when things get hard. Success isn’t just about the end result, it’s about every single day you choose to take action toward that goal.
4. Turn Fear into Fuel
Fear has power, but only if we let it. Instead of letting fear paralyse you, use it as motivation. Are you afraid of not succeeding? Good! Let that be the reason you put in the work, learn from setbacks, and come back even stronger. Each time you act in spite of fear, you’re building resilience that will serve you not just in fitness but in every area of life.
5. Remember: Everyone Starts as a Beginner
Whether it’s fitness, a new business, a creative passion, or any other journey, every expert was once a beginner. Everyone you look up to has faced their own fears, doubts, and setbacks. Starting from scratch is part of the process. Embrace the fact that being a beginner is brave because it’s the first step in becoming someone better.
Embrace the Process, Not the Destination.
There’s a reason people talk about the importance of “the journey, not the destination”. In fitness and life, success is about what you build along the way. It’s about the daily choices, the small wins, and the lessons you learn as you overcome obstacles.
Whether you miss a workout, get off track on a project, or have a setback in your new venture, each “failure” is progress. It’s all part of the growth that leads to lasting success. The key is to keep showing up, because each step forward, no matter how small, is a victory.
If you have been holding back from a challenge whether it’s starting a fitness journey, chasing a dream, or pushing yourself in a new direction today is the day to start anyway. Say “f*ck failure,” set your sights on the goal, and take that first step.
Define what you want, take one small action today, and keep going. The journey won’t be perfect, but it will be ‘yours’. Let’s go. Don’t let fear rob you of the chance to be stronger, smarter, and better in every area of life. Every day you take action, you’re building momentum, and every moment you show up, you’re already winning.
This isn’t about getting it perfect; it’s about growing, learning, and becoming someone who doesn’t back down when things get tough. Whatever your goal, remember that the only real failure is not starting at all. So, let’s get after it. F*ck failure. Let’s make it happen, one step at a time.
Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash