The fear of failure is something that haunts many people. It leaves some people so traumatised that they don't even try. "What's the point? If I'm going to fail in the end, why should I even bother?". There have been many times in our lives that we have failed; a lot of which we seldom remember. The first ever steps we took, were after many times of landing on our backsides. The first ever bike we managed to ride without the stabilisers, was after many times of losing balance and ending up on the floor. The first ever time we managed to float and swim, was after drinking many litres of water while drowning. The first time we hit a home run, or a six, or the goal, was after swinging and missing many times. But we kept going, and today we can not only walk, but run and dance and skip.
While cleaning up some of my stuff that I still have from high school, I came across my school diary. On the deep blue front page, underneath the golden logo it had the words "Vincit qui patitur" written in the same colour. He who perseveres conquerors. Life is full of many decisions, many choices, that we consciously make regarding whether we should invest in something and pursue a particular goal. There are times when obstacles are laid in our paths and we are hindered in our progress. Sometimes it's people who leave us with so many problems and headaches that we begin to question our own abilities. You may be used and you you may be abused by others. Keep your head up high, and keep moving on. Giving up doesn't help anyone, especially as we will be held responsible for our successes and only we will be blamed for our failures. If we never try, we will never know whether we can or can't do something. When faced with a difficult task, rather than wishing it were easier we should wish we were better and strive to be so. "Failure is an event not a person," Zig Ziglar. It's okay to fall, but it's stupid once having fallen a person does not realise why they fell and continues to fall repeatedly, again and again.
I remember posting a PowerPoint presentation earlier which my dad once sent to me. It was full of quotes and examples of many individuals who continued to persevere against all odds and whose names we remember today. "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all," Dale Carnegie.
Be not afraid of failing and worry not about it. Instead, worry about the countless chances we let slip through our fingers when we do not even bother trying.
In the words of Sir Winston Churchill, "Never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy." (29 October 1941)
Persevere, and you can conquer it all. May you all taste the sweet syrup of success.
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Title: Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
Posts
26 July 2011 at 18:28
Very well said m'dear. Things will come right for those that work for it, as you must find opportunities, they don't move to those staying put or going backwards... xx
26 July 2011 at 18:49
The best way to reduce fear and build confidence is taking action. As soon as you do, you’ll begin accumulating experience and knowledge. Start off with small steps and build up your confidence until the fear of failure is manageable.
26 July 2011 at 19:17
Hey Nas, its a really nice blog post and after a very long time. I agree with you man and especially like the quote by zig zaglar. The lyrics for the song are awesome also.
G
26 July 2011 at 19:31
I was kind of surprised to see a post from you on my dashboard this morning :p
Lovely post as always. Failure can become such a weakness for us, but we forget that if we're not failing every now and then, it most likely means that we're not trying hard enough.
:) x
26 July 2011 at 20:04
Nas!!! You're baaack :D did we miss you? Pur-leez lolol
1. You drank swimming pool water?! Gross dude :P
2. I never learnt to ride a bike :(
3. I still can't dance :/
4. Could anyone else hear Alicia Key's 'I keep on falling' in their head? o.O
5. This post reminded me of the spider web story me and my friend were talking about earlier .. good stuff. But I think its also important in life to know when to give up, accept our 'failures' and learn from them / move on :)
26 July 2011 at 23:17
ah Nassy you're back! I was glad to so see your post on my dashboard =) This post is great and I must admit, I am so afraid of failing but I think I should be more afraid of NOT trying cause when we don't try, we might have missed out on something big.
27 July 2011 at 01:44
Hi Nas,
..and... "who am I to disagree?" Indeed, fear of failure or perhaps, fear of success. Too many succumb to the negative hype of others and compounded by us. We must not believe the hype or the inner critic. For that inner critic and those who would devalue our humanity, tell us lies. May the sweet syrup of success be there for all who believe.
Another excellent posting, Nas.
With respect and peaceful thoughts, your way, Gary :)
27 July 2011 at 09:55
If only people weren't so afraid of failure. Including me.
But the question still lies, how do you know when to give up?
27 July 2011 at 10:18
A post after quite a sabbatical.
Loved reading it, I feel like giving up ever so often on so many dreams and aspirations, so this post does come in at the right time, and yea I love this song :)
27 July 2011 at 11:08
HI! you're back! :D
I love this song. you have the best song choice. seriously.
LOL i remember riding a bike around the outside area of my house. broke many flowerpots :p
i love this post. brilliant writing, too :)
27 July 2011 at 11:15
Hi you are back!!!
I missed reading your posts.
Maybe my Google reader dropped the fed of your blog. I must fix it.
27 July 2011 at 11:27
Very interesting and true :).
In the words of Albert Einstein " A person who never made a mistake, never tried anything new"
27 July 2011 at 12:26
So true :) It's tough to remember that persevering is the only way to success. But we have to remind ourselves that anything worth having doesn't come easily.
27 July 2011 at 16:40
This is the type of post to keep bookmarked, and revisit post-fall.
Definitely makes me want to get back up and try again.
:)
27 July 2011 at 22:21
Loved this post.
Alot of the time this fear of failure can be a result of negativity off others. If they are constantly 'putting you down' you yourself start thinking you are worthless and can't be successful. You then have an idea and then think 'No I can't do it.'
28 July 2011 at 08:29
You have been awarded at my blog!!!!!!!!
Go check it out.
Your number is (7)
http://hamza-the-philosophaster.blogspot.com/2011/07/teenage-mutiny-oscars-last-part.html
28 July 2011 at 12:56
you have a great blog!
28 July 2011 at 13:45
hey its a lovely post you've written :)
reminds me of Dido in her song "life for rent" when she sings "while I am so afraid to fail so I won't even try,
Well how can I say I'm alive". x
28 July 2011 at 16:15
everything you write is so inspiring! this post is no different.
we shouldn't be afraid of failure. it gives us an opportunity to learn from our mistakes. and we shouldn't be afraid of trying something new either! it can definitely lead to something awesome that we may have missed had we lacked the courage to try it. :D
♥
28 July 2011 at 19:13
28 July 2011 at 19:21
great post! Perseverance: something I need to work on :S
28 July 2011 at 19:58
Great post, Nas! Very well said! Life isn't always about winning or losing. It's about the determination to move forward. Our experiences make us what we are, not just our failures or victories. :)
Glad you're back with such an inspiring post, Nas! :D
Hope you're having a great summer!
Take care!
28 July 2011 at 20:41
You're back bro :)
And yes, all your posts actually get me thinking.. Bet that blue diary brought some tears along too :')
30 July 2011 at 20:29
with this inspiring post, im not surprised why you have a gazillion comments. :)
30 July 2011 at 21:28
fantastic post Nas, i really like your writing. I've just started working on a new novel. Its going to be about the spiritual journey and the difficulties in pursuing an ascetic life. Anyway keep writing, I always find your posts to be inspirational
30 July 2011 at 23:46
hmm....you are good in writing....I like so far all which I read...
Keep sharing....
31 July 2011 at 04:45
Everything you write is so...... amazing. This one is perfectly inspiring.
"Sometimes it's people who leave us with so many problems and headaches that we begin to question our own abilities." This line hit me hard. I have very low self-esteem and sometimes, I tend to wallow in self pity. I am easily affected by people's opinion (about me). Hmm...
But I'm really thankful that I have a great family who's always willing to dig me out of that hole. Pushing me.. telling me that it's not over 'till it's over..
We shouldn't be afraid to fail. That's right. I've come across this line in a movie.. "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."
Failure is only temporary, it is giving up that makes it permanent.
Great morning, Nas. :)
1 August 2011 at 11:18
@ Anonymous: Very nicely said! You want anything in life, you gotta go get it.
1 August 2011 at 11:19
@ Asma Khan: Excellent advice! And you're totally right also, the more we experience the stronger, and more wiser we become.
1 August 2011 at 11:21
@ G:Hey G! This post was inspired by you. And I was going to dedicate it to you too. Crap happens, but if you keep trying, good will come out of it. And your example bears testament to the fact :)
1 August 2011 at 11:21
@ Yours Truly: Very nicely said! :)
1 August 2011 at 11:23
@ lil-bee: lol! Dude, when I read your comment, I thought of the General. The first part of your comment reminded me of him. How he misses the point and goes on some next technical tangent :P. Maybe it's just a Bengali thing.
But you're right, sometimes we should say enough is enough and move on. I was going to write about that too, but decided to make it two separate posts. Thanks!
:)
1 August 2011 at 11:24
@ normal.is.overrated: I think you just have to step out your comfort zone a little, and feel the gush of the wind. You'll get used to it then :)
1 August 2011 at 11:26
@ klahanie: Hey Gary! I agree with you. There are many who will try to tell us we're not good enough and the inner critic sometimes takes their side too. But we should think of it as a challenge and prove them wrong.
Thank you once again for your kind words :)
1 August 2011 at 11:27
@ The Me: If only aye. Those two words are the used by those who have fallen, and know why they fell. That will be a future post ;)
1 August 2011 at 11:29
@ Subtle Expressions: I think we all go through that phase of self doubt and wonder.
1 August 2011 at 11:32
@ Vice Versa: HEY ;D!
haha I remember I got very bruised and broken too when I first started riding a bike.
Thank you :)
1 August 2011 at 11:35
@ Hamza Bin Ladin: Thank you for reading dude!
:)
1 August 2011 at 11:36
@ cricketfreak: Thank you for visiting the blog and commenting :).
1 August 2011 at 11:37
@ Furree Katt: You speak wise words too Miss Furree :)
1 August 2011 at 11:38
@ yasmin: I wish you all the best on it!
1 August 2011 at 11:39
@ reverieriver: Beautiful comment! And you're totally right.
You too.
Take care! :)
1 August 2011 at 11:39
@ y.hayat: Ah yes, it did bring back many many memories!
1 August 2011 at 11:40
@ Aasiyah: Thanks!
1 August 2011 at 11:41
@ Sy: That really does sound very very interesting! All the best with it. Thank you.
1 August 2011 at 11:41
: Thinking: Thank you for visiting and for your lovely comment. :)
1 August 2011 at 11:43
@ Leah: Thank you for your kind words. And I agree, it is very important to have someone to guide you when you seem lost in desperation. When you lose your way, it is helpful to have someone to nudge you in the right direction. Beautiful quote!
:)
1 August 2011 at 11:56
Great post.
Just believe in yourself and do what you have to do =)
1 August 2011 at 14:50
Nas, whose The General? He sounds so cool (like me) lolol :D
Well my mind works differently .. plus I translate everything to revolve it around myself .. its my process ;)
4 August 2011 at 06:55
It is nice to read something as motivational as this on a sluggish Thursday morning. :)
I agree with perseverance,may God give us all the strength to do so, we certainly need it
6 August 2011 at 16:53
Great & inspiring post, as always! :) Completely agree with you that you should never give up, keep trying & remain hopeful. This post reminded me of my weight loss journey how I kept trying and trying, even pre-diagnosis and then post-diagnosis it was difficult to try again and convince myself things would be different this time, but I got there in the end! :)