Your Fear of Failure Is Costing You More Than You Think
The Quiet Danger of Playing It Safe
“The most dangerous thing is to live a life never trying because you were too afraid to fail, so you choose to fail by default” - Ron Lim
Ooof, that hits hard doesn’t it! I think we can all agree that the biggest moments of growth happen when we say a massive hell yes to the things that scare us. That being said it’s rare you meet someone who can recklessly throw themselves into everything without an ounce of self doubt. More commonly the subtle ‘what if you fail’ or ‘who do you even think you are’ echoes from ear to ear instead
I’ve felt that fear so many times. When I filmed my first YouTube video, I was terrified. I literally cried when I saw the footage because I hated the way I sounded. When I was on my first podcast, I was literally shaking and have still never listened to the recording. Every time I’ve stepped into a new challenge—whether it was starting my businesses, leading my first group hike, or even just sharing something deeply personal online—I felt that same fear and that is exactly why I did them.
The truth is, growth doesn’t happen when we stay in the safety of what we already know. It happens when we push beyond the familiar and into the unknown. Maybe for you, stepping outside your comfort zone means showing up for a new class, speaking in front of an audience, or signing up for an adventure you’ve never tried before. Whatever it is, I promise you—saying yes to that fear, pushing through it, will change you in ways you can’t imagine.
5 Ways to Embrace Discomfort and Grow
Start Small – You don’t have to take on a massive challenge right away. Begin with small, manageable steps that push you just beyond your comfort zone. If public speaking terrifies you, try sharing your thoughts in a small group before addressing a larger audience. If you want to get fitter but feel overwhelmed, start with a short daily walk rather than an intense gym session. Progress happens in tiny, consistent steps.
Reframe Fear as Excitement – The physical sensations of fear, a racing heart, sweaty palms, and adrenaline are actually the same as excitement. Instead of telling yourself, I’m terrified, try saying, I’m excited for this opportunity. Shifting your mindset can make fear feel like a challenge to embrace rather than a roadblock to avoid.
Surround Yourself with Support – It’s easier to step outside your comfort zone when you have people cheering you on. Seek out friends, mentors, or communities that encourage growth and understand what you’re going through. Having people remind you that you’re capable and strong can make all the difference when doubt creeps in.
Accept That Failure is Part of Growth – Fear of failure holds so many of us back, but failure is often the best teacher. Instead of seeing mistakes as a reason to quit, view them as valuable learning experiences. Every successful person has failed at some point—it’s how they respond to those failures that determines their growth. Remind yourself: if you never fail, you’re probably not pushing yourself hard enough.
Take Action Before You Feel Ready – The truth is, you’ll never feel 100% ready to do something new. If you wait for the perfect moment when you feel completely prepared, you’ll end up waiting forever and really that’s procrastination at it’s finest. Take action now, even if it’s messy and imperfect. The confidence and skills will come with experience, but only if you start.
So, if you’ve been waiting for a sign to do something that scares you, here it is. If you’re not sure where to start, think about one thing you’ve been hesitating on. Maybe it’s signing up for a course, starting a creative project, or reaching out to someone who inspires you. Commit to taking just one small step toward it today. Even the tiniest action can create momentum, and before you know it, you’ll be looking back proudly at how far you’ve come.
If you’ve been looking for a way to step outside your comfort zone, maybe it’s time to say yes to something outside of the box. I run women’s outdoor trips and adventures through Made Wild, where we take on the mountains, learn new skills, make new friends and challenge ourselves in the best way possible. If that sounds like something you need, you can check out the details here.
Go smash it this week and remember, the most dangerous thing isn’t failing, it’s never trying!