Fear of Failure (Fear of Failure) | 마음스캔 심리학 용어사전

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Overview

Hi, I'm Mindy. Today, let's talk together about Fear of Failure.

It's natural to feel some fear of failing, but when that fear becomes so overwhelming that it causes you to give up on challenges altogether, it can become a barrier that blocks you from living fully. Fear of Failure isn't just 'what if I don't do well?' — it's the extreme belief that 'if I fail, it's all over for me.'

Core Concepts

At the heart of Fear of Failure is the belief that your self-worth is identical to your performance. Thoughts like 'if I fail, I'm incompetent' or 'people will look down on me' transform failure from a simple experience into a verdict on who you are as a person.

According to research by psychologist Carol Dweck, people with a Fixed Mindset tend to interpret failure as evidence of their own inadequacy, experiencing greater fear, while those with a Growth Mindset view failure as an opportunity to learn.

Fear of Failure can manifest as perfectionism, self-handicapping (deliberately not trying so that there is a ready excuse for failure), procrastination, and self-sabotaging behavior. Paradoxically, the very actions taken to avoid failure can end up creating it.

Signs This Applies to You

You feel intense anxiety when trying to start something new and end up giving up

If you can't do something perfectly, you'd rather not start at all

Past failures replay in your mind repeatedly for a long time

You hide your abilities because you're afraid of how others will judge you

When facing an important opportunity, you find yourself getting sick or making excuses

How Can You Cope?

Redefine failure — Failure is not the end; it's part of the learning process. Ask yourself, 'What did I learn from this?'

Cultivate a Growth Mindset — Try thinking, 'I can't do this yet — it doesn't mean I never will.'

Start with small challenges — Begin with low-stakes attempts where failure won't have a big impact, and build up a track record of small successes.

Separate your self-worth from your performance — Your value lies in your very existence, not in what you accomplish.

Practice self-compassion — When you fail, speak to yourself with the same warmth you would offer a good friend.

A Word from Mindy

The fact that failure feels so frightening shows just how much you want to do well. But no one grows without experiencing failure. It's okay to fall down. What matters is getting back up. Mindy will always be cheering you on in every challenge you face.

💡 Real-Life Example

A classic example of Fear of Failure is when someone preparing for a job interview becomes so consumed by the thought 'what if I get rejected?' that they never submit an application at all, or they keep putting off preparation until the opportunity passes them by.

Want to talk more about "Fear of Failure"?

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