Fear of Failure

07 Aug 08

Fear of Failure:

"Fear of failure" is often cited as the reason students sometime decline to take our Practical Test, or, for that matter, even come to one of our Courses. However, in my experience, it is often not fear of failure that paralyzes, but rather "fear of success!"

There is surpassing solace associated with perpetual failure. Expectations are always low, and there is little pressure to perform. That is the place where many are perfectly comfortable, so comfortable, in fact, they never want to be anywhere else! When one is successful, there is a sudden expectation that additional successes will follow. The pressure to produce a positive result is paralyzing, and fraught with fear, for the timorous. They shy away from promising opportunities for that reason, and thus miss out on many an adventure, and much of what life has to offer.

Accordingly, at some point all of us need to claim our "Freedom to Fail!" We all have the right to be wrong. That, in no way, meliorates the pain associated with consequences of poor judgement, but there is not, and should not be, personal shame associated with making dumb mistakes, learning from them, and then promptly going forth to tomorrow's victories!

Conversely, there is considerable personal shame, as well as psychological pathology, in (1) denying that it was a mistake and stubbornly insisting you're perfect, (2) Pointing out that others have made the same mistake, so they're just as guilty as you, and (3) Being too arrogant to humbly learn and repent, so that, as a result, you continue to blindly make the same mistake over and over.

"It's nothing against you to be knocked down flat, but, to lie there, that' s a disgrace!"

Aspiring Operators must lose their fear of success, just as they must lose their fear of failure, even of death and dying. We fearlessly confront triumph and disaster, and "treat those two imposters just the same!"

Success comes from good judgment. Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment. Logic is a cruel critic!

An Operator is one who makes decisions, some of which are right!

We learn from mistakes. Don't be afraid to make them, but don't keep making the same one. Learn and move on, assuming you're still alive to doso (death is a wonderful learning experience, but you only get to do it once!). Experience is a hard teacher, because she first administers The Test. Thelesson comes afterward!

Be aware that accidental "good results" (often through no fault of your own) often reinforce bad judgement.

Never give in to adversity. Never trust prosperity. And, never fail to take full note of Fortune's irritating habit of doing exactly as she pleases, casually dismissing any "plan" of yours!

Chance favors the prepared. Fortune, the bold. Providence, the audacious!

/John