The fear of failure is the main reason that kills most people's dreams. Nobody likes to admit they have failed in anything they have tried in their life. It is a huge knock to your sense of self-worth, and you begin to doubt that you can ever become a success, no matter how hard you try. We often compare our lives and our careers to others around us, imagining their lives to be so perfect and on track. However, this is detrimental to our own life journey, because we are unique, there is nobody like us and so our hopes and dreams are different from those whom we aspire to emulate.  

When we look at successful writers, we only see the success they have achieved. We do not think about the many rejections they had to receive, the unpublished manuscripts, the failed marketing techniques, or the people who doubted their ability. All we focus on is that they are a success and we are a failure because we have not had our breakthrough yet. Stop right there! 

So, now that we have indulged ourselves in self-pity, it is time to remind ourselves how awesome we are. If you believe that you are a great writer and that success is within reach, then you are a great distance to achieving it. Of course, modesty is a great personality trrait, but you also have to recognise your talent and your ability to succeed and achieve everything you desire. Remember, your life is a long journey of learning; some life lessons are positive, others not so good, but the point is, you will learn something new with every lesson. I am a great believer in positive thought and there are so many books on the subject or information on the internet regarding focusing the mind on positivity. The brain can only work with the information it is given. If you are concentrating on others' success and not your own, then how can you expect to fulfil your ambition?

The common characteristic in any entrepeneur is how they tackle failure. They do not recognise it as an excuse to stop striving, but a lesson on what tactic doesn't work, so then they simply try another until they find one that does. As a writer, you need to just start writing, even if you have no clear direction on where you want your carear to take you. Maybe start off writing something small like a blog on a subject you are passionate about. Then gradually you can build on your writing teachnique and try wiriting something more challenging.  

If you still feel like a failure and this is preventing you from trying anything new, then read the life story of Abraham Lincoln, which is an absolutely perfect example of a man that refused to give in to failure. Failing just means you are human, so stop being so hard on yourself and punishing yourself constantly with negative internal dialogue. Failing isn't trying something and not achieving it; it is never even trying in the first place. Go away and read books by the likes of Phil Macgraw or Les Brown. Reading their perspective of failure totally changed how I saw myself. It is time to be kind to yourself and take that first brave step.