Overcoming fear of failure: the power of showing up

Almost everyone experiences fear of failure at some point in their lives.

For graphic designers, illustrators, and students, this fear can be paralysing and prevent them from taking risks, growing their skills, and achieving their full potential.

In today's blog post, we'll explore the power of showing up despite feeling afraid and how doing so can help you overcome your fear of failure. I'll also share tips for putting this mindset into practice so that you can achieve your creative goals.

The power of showing up—even when you don't feel ready

One of the most important things you can do as a freelancer is to show up. Even if you don't feel ready, don't know what you're doing, and are scared, just show up.

The fear of failure can be crippling, but it's important to remember that failure is a part of the process. Every successful person has failed countless times, but they kept going because they showed up.

As a result, don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid of failing to try at all. You'll be one step closer to success if you show up and put in the effort.

How to cultivate a growth mindset and push through your fear of failure

Most people give up when they fail. They allow their fear of failure to prevent them from trying again. But what if you could push through that fear and continue to pursue your goals? What if you could develop a growth mindset and learn from your failures?

To cultivate a growth mindset, you need to be willing to make mistakes and learn from them. You need to be willing to take risks and face your fears. You need to be persistent and resilient in the face of setbacks. And most importantly, you need to be willing to put in the hard work required to achieve your goals.

When you have a growth mindset, you view failure as an opportunity for growth. You see it as a chance to learn and improve your skills. You don't let your failures define you or hold you back. You pick yourself up and attempt again.

If you want to overcome your fear of failure, you need to start by cultivating a growth mindset. When you believe that you can improve and grow, it's easier to face your fears head-on.

So start by taking small steps towards your goals. Persevere even when things get tough. And above all, never give up on yourself. With time and effort, it is possible to overcome any obstacle.

Tips for pushing through your fear and anxiety to achieve success.

Are you struggling to overcome your fear and anxiety in order to achieve success? If so, you're not alone.

Many people find it difficult to push through their fears and anxieties, especially when it comes to pursuing their passions. However, there are ways that you can overcome these obstacles and achieve the success you desire.

Here are a few tips for pushing through your fear and anxiety:

• Don't try to do everything at once. When you're feeling overwhelmed by fear or anxiety, it can be tempting to try to tackle everything all at once. However, this is usually counterproductive and will only serve to increase your stress levels. Instead, take things one step at a time and focus on one task or goal at a time. This will help make the process seem less daunting and more manageable.
• Make a plan. When you have a plan in place, it's much easier to feel confident and motivated about moving forward. Having a plan gives you something tangible to work towards and helps keep you focused on your goals. Make sure your plan is realistic and achievable so that you don't set yourself up for disappointment.
• Take action! One of the best ways to overcome fear or anxiety is by taking action! When you take small steps towards your goals, it helps to boost your confidence and makes the whole process seem less daunting. And, as you start to see progress, it will only motivate you further to keep going.
• Believe in yourself. This is the most crucial tip of all. You have to believe in yourself and your abilities if you want to succeed as a freelancer. Have faith in your ability to achieve your objectives.

Don't let fear or anxiety hold you back from achieving success. By following these tips, you can push through these obstacles and pursue your passions with confidence.

Ways to stay motivated when you don't feel like trying

It can be tough to keep pushing yourself when you don't feel like it. Especially when fear of failure is holding you back. But it's important to remember that the only way to overcome that fear is to keep trying. And the only way to get better at anything is to practice.

So even when you don't feel like it, push yourself to keep going. It may be challenging, but it will ultimately be worthwhile. You'll be a stronger and more successful freelancer because of it.

Here are four ways to stay motivated when you don't feel like trying:

• Remind yourself why you're doing this. Freelance graphic designers often start their own businesses because they want more control over their lives and their work. Keep that in mind when you don't feel like trying—the reason you started freelancing in the first place is still important, and it's worth remembering when things get tough.
• Find someone who's doing what you want to do. Find someone who's doing what you want to do and look up to them. See how they got where they are and learn from their successes and failures. It can be really motivating to see someone else who's achieved what you want to achieve and learn how they did it.
• Reward yourself for small victories. When you achieve a goal or even just make some progress on a difficult project, treat yourself to something enjoyable. It could be as simple as taking a hot bath or purchasing a new book—whatever makes you happy! You'll be more motivated because you'll have something to look forward to.
• Keep a positive attitude. This is probably the most important tip of all—keep a positive attitude! Freelance graphic designers who are successful have one thing in common: they believe in themselves and their abilities, even when things are tough. So remember that you can do it, no matter how hard it seems.

With these four tips, you'll be able to stay motivated and overcome your fear of failure. Just keep trying, and don't give up! You'll get there eventually.

Practical ways to make showing up easier

Freelance graphic designers often find themselves struggling with the fear of failure. This is natural, particularly when you're starting out and your work is highly visible. However, there are ways to make showing up easier and to minimise the fear of failure.

• Set realistic expectations for yourself. Don't compare yourself to others or put undue pressure on yourself. Remember that everyone makes mistakes and that perfect is the enemy of good.
• Give yourself permission to take risks. Trying new things can be scary, but it's also how we learn and grow. Allow yourself to experiment and make mistakes—it's the only way you'll improve.
• Focus on the process, not the outcome. It's easy to get caught up in thinking about how your work will be received, but try to focus on the process of creating instead. Enjoy the act of designing and let go of the need for perfection.
• Build a support network. Find other freelancers or creatives who understand what you're going through and can offer encouragement and advice. Having people to rely on will make showing up easier.
• Find your Why. Why are you doing this? What drives you to keep going, even when it's tough? When you have a strong purpose, it's easier to push through the fear and keep going.

Freelance graphic designers often feel like they need to be prepared for every situation in order to be successful. However, sometimes all you need is to show up and get started—even if you're not feeling 100% ready.

Freelancers can use this approach to get over their fear of failure and start making progress on their goals. The first step toward success is simply showing up.

When it comes to being a freelancer, showing up is half the battle. Oftentimes, we can be our own worst enemies by talking ourselves out of pitching new clients or taking on big projects.

We tell ourselves we're not ready or good enough, that we need more experience or a better portfolio. But the truth is, we'll never be 100% ready—and that's okay.

What's important is to take the first step and just show up. Even if you don't feel like you're ready, getting started is the best way to learn and grow. Allow yourself to make mistakes and experiment—you'll never improve if you don't.

Focus on the process, not the outcome, and remember why you're doing this in the first place. Find other freelancers or creatives who understand what you're going through and can offer encouragement and advice.

Showing up can be hard, but it's worth it. Freelancers who are able to overcome their fear of failure and put themselves out there are more likely to find success. So don't be afraid to take the plunge—you might just surprise yourself.

The power of habits

The power of habits cannot be underestimated. When it comes to overcoming the fear of failure, developing good habits is key. By establishing a routine and sticking to it, you'll be less likely to fall off track and more likely to succeed.

As a freelance graphic designer, it's essential to develop good work habits, such as waking up early and starting your day with a plan or working for a certain number of hours each day. Breaking your routine can lead to procrastination and, ultimately, failure. So make sure you create healthy habits and stick to them.

The power of positive thinking

Another important factor in overcoming failure fear is to think positively. When you're stressed or anxious, it's easy to get caught up in negative thinking. However, if you can train your mind to focus on the positive, you will have a much better chance of success.

Positive thinking does not imply being Pollyanna-ish about everything; rather, it means being aware of both the good and the bad and choosing to focus on the former.

When you catch yourself thinking negatively, try to reframe it in a more positive way. For example, instead of telling yourself, "I can't do this," tell yourself, "I can do this!"

The power of taking risks

In order to overcome the fear of failure, you need to be willing to take risks. This doesn't mean you should recklessly jump into every situation without thinking first. But it does mean that you should be open to new opportunities and experiences, even if they're outside your comfort zone.

It can be scary to try new things, but it is also how we grow and learn. And often, the best rewards come from taking risks. Therefore, do not be afraid to leave your comfort zone and take a chance. You might just surprise yourself.

The power of persistence

Persistence is another key to overcoming the fear of failure. No one ever said that success was easy; it takes hard work, dedication, and tenacity. You will never achieve your goals if you give up at the first sign of difficulty. But if you're willing to persist, even when the going gets tough, you'll eventually reach your destination.

Remember: success is a marathon, not a sprint. So keep moving forward, even when it feels like you're not making any progress. The only way to fail is to quit.

The power of learning from mistakes

Mistakes are inevitable; we all make them. But what separates successful people from unsuccessful ones is how they handle their mistakes. Instead of beating yourself up over your mistakes, learn from them and use them as an opportunity to grow.

Each mistake is an opportunity to learn and become better. So don't be afraid to make them!

The power of taking action

Overcoming the fear of failure is ultimately about taking action. No matter how scared you are, you need to take that first step. Once you do, the rest will become easier. Remember: courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act despite it. So don't let your fears hold you back; take action and achieve your goals!

Ready or not, freelancers have to start somewhere. By showing up and getting started, you can begin making progress on your goals even if you don't feel completely prepared. Don't let your fear of failure hold you back; take the first step today and see how far you can go.

What tips would you add for aspiring freelancers? Let me know in the comments below.