“Some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you fail by default.” – J K Rowling
Like many I want to succeed in life. To me that means graduating my degree with top grades, maintaining a happy healthy relationship and getting the career I want. My biggest fear in life is to be seen as a failure, it drives me to take on more than I can usually handle and at the same time lead to unrealistic goals and expectations on how things will turn out. However, my biggest downfalls tend to put a wrench in the works. My downfalls you ask? Constant over thinking and procrastination. I tend to get too comfy “working” from home resulting in little work actually being done and many shows being binge-watched in a period of time.
So how do I overcome my fear of failure and my likelihood to procrastinate?
- LISTS – my life revolves around to-do lists. I have a list of things to complete for the week and have them in order of priority (what needs to be completed first).
- NOTEBOOKS – because of my never-ending to-do lists I tend to go through many many notebooks they are my life staple and honestly a lifesaver (especially as a student).
- SCHEDULE – I have a calendar on my whiteboard, it’s right outside my bedroom door so when I leave on a morning I know what I need to do that day it’s split into 5 sections: Exercise, Study, Chores, Meal Prep and Appointments.
- FRIENDS – I make it a habit to tell people what I have to do that day/week and also meet with friends/fellow students to work together at least once a week. This has made me learn that for me the best way to get a lot done is to be held accountable. If I know they expect so much work done by that session/meeting and I haven’t done it I would feel like a disappointment/failure. (working with my fear instead of against it).
So how do you find the motivation to get things done? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Great post! I can’t live without my to – do lists! 🙂
http://stylequest.se/
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If I need to get things done I usually create a scheduled to-do list for the day. It has been super helpful, especially now when being on the maternity leave 😀 been feeling so unproductive with all the pain & sleeping issues so I’ve found scheduled to-do lists great for me 🙂
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I should learn from you! I think I need to start making to-do lists and schedules because I don’t and I see myself not doing enough! I’ll start tomorrow, I promise O:)
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Love the quote at the beginning, very inspirational post xo
http://www.theninebyivana.blogspot.com
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This is great quote, I think everyone suffers with this fear too, it’s inevitable! I definitely need to start making to do list, Lord knows I have enough notebooks to do it! Haha x
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I argue with my kids with the procrastination with school work. So your ideas are great and will pass them along to my kids.
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These are amazing list. I also always needs my to-do list and priority on my week schedule. I’m sure you’ll get it all your dreams and all your plans. All the best dear.
Kintan XO,
http://kintanfashion.blogspot.com
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Great post and very applicable to my current struggle with productivity. I need to utilize to-do lists more.
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Love this post. Honestly my fears are the same. Thanks for sharing!
Dominick
http://www.domijones.com
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I live by a to-do list. A forever growing to-do list I might add. I feel like I soon so many plates, that sometimes some do fall and crash. But like always you have to just carry on.
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“My biggest fear in life is to be seen as a failure” – the good thing is: once you get older, you care less what others think of you and life becomes what it is: YOUR personal way of doing things, dealing with it your own way and enjoying the ride 😉
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Fear of failure is indeed one of the root causes of procrastination. Thanks for the tips! 🙂
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Well done kitty for doing this!!! So many of us have this feeling. We won’t pursue something for fear of judgement and fear of failing! ! But, you have to take risks in order to achieve. You’re doing it such a good way. I’ve now started posting weekly videos to out love30 page so I can be accountable for pushing our businesses forward. We have to do something because we’re telling the people who follow us that we’receive doing it! Hopefully it will help others in some way too 🙂 Ree love30
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Excellent post! I’m actually doing all of those to avoid failing. I also use reminders app a lot. If there is a deadline there sure is a to do list, calendar notes plus couple of reminders making sure I keep on time and remember to do everything (and a bit more 🙂 )
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I understand the struggle. I have 5 years unfinished project because of my fear of failure. Yet, I tried all of those on your list, guess what none of them help. I guess changing my mindset is the only thing I should do, yet not easy :p Thanks for sharing dear. Hope you overcome your fear 🙂
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Excellent post and its very important to conquer fear of failure.
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I can relate to you completely and fear of failure almost broke me down. I find that you should set smaller goals and not multitask. I have some things to help you here http://www.abusybeeslife.com/resource-library/ with that. I have been able to lower being overwhelmed and anxiety by sorting out the things with high priority. Stay strong, you will do great. Also, learning to say NO is important.
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Fear of failure can be quite paralyzing, based on my experience. I saw a quote somewhere “If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit” and that’s what I say to myself every day. Sometimes fear of failure prevents a person from even starting something or it makes you give up, so when I say that to myself, it inspires me to go on or to stop being lazy and do something.
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This post inspired me a lot 😀 thanks for sharing 😀
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This is such a great post, the one thing I’ve been doing is making a lot if lists on what I need to do to help me achieve
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great post. I do use to do list, I use Evernote app on my mobile for adding and quick view.
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I always say, lists are the best way to feel a little bit more accomplished everyday! I make them every morning and there is something about those tick marks that give me a boost of encouragement 🙂
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I definitely get things done by making lists. Then I make lists of the lists. And another list. Seriously, I need to go to list-a-holics anonymous!
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Hey there! 🤗 I struggle with the same things.. I really have a fear of failure and sometimes it takes over my mind. I want nothing more to have a career that I want and a life that is successful. I try to do too much and it almost always backfires. Hopefully soon, I can get it right. Thank you for posting this! Take care! 🤗
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I swear my to-do lists need a to-do list sometimes. It’s the only way I can stay on track and hold myself accountable sometimes!
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I am obsessed with lists. I have about 60 notes on my phone on the go at any one time including the massive to do list and a long term to do list, a meal plan, blog post ideas etc. Does help in some way to prevent procrastination though 😊 X
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To-do lists and calendars are the best way to make the most of your time and do as much as you can. I also think collaborations and working together sees through a lot of difficult work that might be impossible to finish alone. All the best for your goals!
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This is truly a good post. Very smart ideas. We also make a million lists just like you. We motivate ourselves by writing a big list of our goals, that always helps us.
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I am a day dreaming procrastinator and I also have anxiety, so if I’m not daydream the what could be’s worrying the what if’s… notebooks and calendar schedules are my bff
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Definitely helpful tips to end procrastination! I used to be quite the procrastinator.. not so much, I’ve gotten much better!
Ashlee
http://www.theivoryfawn.com
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That fear of failure can become your worst enemy if you don’t control it. No one likes to fail but hard work, dedication, having clear goals and good organizing skills will, sooner or later, get you where you want to be. Just never give up – on yourself!
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great tips! I also like listing things, priorities, goals… and always go to my friends and family when i need help:)
xx
lau
http://www.malibluemymind.com
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we are soooo one in the same! And I think a lot of people our age feel the same pressure. Making lists is my #1!
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Thanks for the tips, I am a serial procrastinator and I think in my case it is also because of the fear of failure… I get this “I’d rather not do it than do it wrong” feeling and then I can’t get anything done! Very useful post 🙂
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The fear of failing can be pretty daunting and I think we all feel that pressure at one point of another. I love this post, it seems very open and genuine and I love your tips. I am a big list making and I recently brought a diary so have been trying to schedule things more often as well.
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