There are far too many people who are afraid they will fall short. In some cases, we avoid posting for a job because it will place us in the line of fire. I know of many situations where people stick with a profession they do not like mostly because they fear falling short of expectations. As a business owner, friends and colleagues tell me they want to someday start their own business, but they find it hard to leave the comfort of a steady paycheck.

Get a Plan

The best advice I can provide to someone who fears failure is to develop a plan. This roadmap doesn't have to be perfect, but it should have enough details. It's important that we know the destination. Once we have the vision in mind, we will know what it takes to get there. It's obvious that something of value will be challenging, but it's far easier to hit a target when we are 100% committed to realizing it.

When building the plan, it's essential that you are prepared for something going awry. Therefore, ensure that there are contingencies in place, which means that a Plan B, Plan C, and Plan D, and so on, are included. For example, when taking on a new job, I recommend that you add new skills, such as project management training. If the new position is short-lived, you now have qualifications that enhance the chances of landing an employment opportunity that is right for you.

Know When to Take a Step Back

We've all been in the situation where we are too close to a situation. For example, there are times when I was stuck in a rut, and I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get back on track. There were countless times when I woke up in the middle of the night because the pressure wouldn't let me sleep. I knew there was an answer to my problems, but I couldn't pinpoint it. I was confident in my skills and motivation, but I needed a breakthrough.

The advice that worked for me is to take a step back from the problem. It was necessary to disengage from the situation. I was trying to solve the problem by doing the same thing each time. I could work hard each day, but the results were going to be the same. I finally decided to get away from the situation for a few days, which allowed me time to consider other options. Interestingly, the answer to one of my key obstacles was presented to me years earlier, but I wasn't ready to listen to the advice. With an open mind, I went back to the advice from a business associate, and gave it a try. Within a month or so, I was out of the rut, and the business began to prosper.

For some people, the answer comes easier and faster. For me, it took longer to identify. However, the many mistakes that I made along the way confirmed the approaches that wouldn't work. Today, I still face a ton of challenges, but I'm doing a better job learning to overcome them.

My recommendation to you is to press ahead, even when the challenge seems insurmountable. There is a way to realize success, but the solution might be super-difficult. That's fine... know that the energy used to overcome obstacles will prepare you for even tougher challenges down the road.