The Fear of Failure

As Life Rolls On and we get caught up in the day to day grind, do you ever wonder where you would be or what you would be doing if you were assured you would not fail? As I stood waiting for a cup of coffee, I found myself browsing the shelves of coffee paraphernalia that line the otherwise empty walls of a crowded coffee shop. Indiviual coffee makers, fancy tea steepers, a plethora of travel mugs, and of course, the pièce de résistance - quotable coffee mugs.

It is to one of these important pieces of Americana that I owe the inspiration to today's thoughts.
"Fear of failure must never be a reason not to try something" - Frederick Smith, Founder of FedEx

What would you be if you did not fear failure?

Would you be a professional athlete, a rock star, or an award winning actor enjoying all that celebrity provides? Would you be a politician doing what you think is best for the public well being or an activist challenging the policy makers? Would you be a teacher, a musician, an artist or a world traveler without a care?

Unfortunately the challenges of everyday life don't always afford us the ability to fail. We have families that rely upon us to be active participants in their lives and to foster their dreams, to provide income for the mortgage and schooling expenses and to put food on the table. There is too much at stake to risk.

Or is there? While we may not be able to quit our jobs and start anew, does that mean we've actually fell victim to the fear of failure? For those of us that are blessed with the challenge of being a parent face failure everyday. Our children look to us for guidance, encouragement, education, boundaries, inspiration, love and every other trait that molds them into the people they will grow up to be.

So, maybe we won't sell the house and travel the South Pacific to surf uncrowded breaks. Maybe we won't quit our jobs and establish a restaurant on the beach. Maybe we won't move to wine country and open a bed and breakfast or buy a winery.

Does that mean we've fallen victim to the fear of failure? I think not. I believe we've overcome our fear of failure and have chosen to dedicate our lives to raising a family despite the numerous opportunities to fail in the rearing of children.