Overcome fear of failure  

Let me start with a story of a farmer who had strange visitor in his town. While a farmer was busy cultivating his farmland in the mid day, a stranger with name boldly written on his clothes, Mr. Death, walks on the footpath that leads to the farmer’s town. To satisfy his curiosity, the farmer approaches the visitor to say “hello! Mr. Death, where exactly are you going this early hour of the day and what is your mission” Gently! Mr. Death replies “oh! To your town and my mission is to kill five people today”.

Then the farmer keeps quiet and continues his business on the farm. Few hours after their conversation, the farmer got a bad news; about one hundred people died in his town that same day. He was so devastated and stopped his work to return home. On his way back home, he met Mr. Death and shouted, “Why did you kill one hundred people against five people by our earlier conversation”. Then Mr. Death replied the farmer sorrowfully, “I killed only five people as I told you in our conversation but the other ninety five people were killed by Fear.”

Dear entrepreneur, the moral of this story is that fear is a major killer of many peoples’ dream; do not permit it in your pursuit. You must be deliberate to tame your fear to venture. If fear were not in existence then no venture will be regarded as risk. Often time, fear is false evidence appearing real. The limitation of an average entrepreneur is the fear of losing fund and relationship.

In addition, Personal insecurity is a form of fear that limits many entrepreneurs potential. Conversely, an entrepreneur who is secure in her thinking will always maximise opportunities in her environment. To have root in oneself is to be confident about personal identity, and self motivated.

What is fear? Fear is intelligence and emotion formed by negative or false information. There is discouraging information that circulates among potential entrepreneurs and business owners about the business environment in Nigeria. It is that poor infrastructure and especially poor electricity supply are enough excuses to move business out of Nigeria and sometimes discourages one not to start. Really, Nigeria is a tough terrain for entrepreneur.

Another perspective, which is more positive, is that one of the world richest businessperson in the world runs his business in Nigeria. The second perspective, which is positive, is informing entrepreneur of what is possible in this tough Nigeria business terrain.

As stated above, these two sides to the information on Nigeria business terrain will breed fear and faith. Earlier, I said fear is an emotion and intelligence formed by negative information or stories. You must make a choice on what you hear and believe so as to overcome fear of failure.

How do you experience freedom from fear of failure and losing out from available opportunities? The answer to that is simple; develop faith. Faith is an intelligence and emotion formed from positive information, the truth, and stories of possibility. This attitude aligns with the “Law of Suggestion” This law says “whatever you hear and see consistently over time enters your heart and controls your mind”. Below are steps that can help you experience freedom from fear of failure.

The first is have “root in yourself”

There is tremendous capacity in man and woman to do whatever is imagine in the mind.  Believe in your potential and that it is a divine gift. Stop doubting your ability to be successful in business, irrespective of the previous business failures.

The second is select “what you focus on”

Focus on the news that report opportunities in your industry and change of trend in your environment. Be interested in opportunities and possibilities in your environment.

The third is develop attitude that sees “opportunity in problems”

Problem is an opportunity for entrepreneur. A great entrepreneur converts problems to business opportunity by providing solutions. Be the light that shines in darkness and people will pay to have your value at home.

The fourth is have “value for observation and learning”

Alving Toffler once said, an illiterate in 21st century is someone who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn. Learning builds self-confidence of entrepreneur. Plan to attend seminars, training and improve on your social awareness skills.

The fifth is “move to action”

The difference between business executive and prospective entrepreneur is not the business plan but action. An executive rise up from business plan to do things right in line with the projected result. Fear is not an unusual emotion but the successful people keep hearing and acting on positive information until they move beyond fear and couldn’t be scared by it again.

Dear friend, problem is part of business environment and fear is the closest associate. For successful entrepreneur, solution to problems is a path to wealth creation in all business environments and faith is the fastest route to access it. I will encourage you to look inward, see the greatness within and potential that abounds. Be courageous and enjoy this freedom.

 

Victor Mamora