The fear of failing is one of the most common fears that keeps aspiring coaches afraid to start their new career. Even established coaches sometimes face negative thoughts that keep them from achieving the success they dream of.

But, whether you have fear of starting a business…

Fear that you aren’t good enough to coach others…

Or even a fear of success keeping you from expanding your coaching business to its fullest potential…

These 5 strategies will help you overcome negative thoughts and let go of your fear of failing forever!

1. Shift Your Perspective on Failure

Failure is a natural part of the learning process. We’ll all fail at one time or another. 

So, while we can’t avoid failure, we can profoundly shift our relationship with it.

Many successful entrepreneurs have faced failures before achieving their goals. Instead of seeing failure as a setback, view it as a valuable opportunity to learn, adapt, and improve. Failure is just an invitation to discover new and different ways of doing things!

2. Celebrate Small Successes

Break down your goals into smaller, achievable milestones. Your fear of failure can be easily triggered when you try to tackle your big vision all at once. 

But even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step…Then another, and another. Setting realistic expectations allows you to measure progress and celebrate small victories along the way. Taking one step at a time, no matter how small, can help keep your fear of failure at bay. 

Each step forward, even if it’s a small one, contributes to your overall success. You’ll experience more motivation, inspiration, and momentum as a result!

3. Focus on Continuous Learning

Invest time in learning and honing your skills. The more you know about the coaching industry and best practices, the more confident you’ll feel making informed decisions. Seek out mentors, attend workshops, and commit to expanding your knowledge.

Shifting your focus to learning and growth can help you escape the trap of “worst case scenario” thinking. 

Instead of thinking about all the ways you might fail, commit to thinking about all the things you might learn!

4. Find Your Partners in Believing

Surround yourself with positive and supportive individuals who believe in your vision. Connect with mentors, fellow coaches and entrepreneurs, and friends who can provide encouragement, advice, and perspective.

Sharing your challenges and successes with others can help alleviate feelings of isolation and fear. And, these connections can help hold you accountable to your dreams and goals.

5. Practice Resilience and Adaptability

Understand that setbacks and challenges are part of any entrepreneurial journey. Cultivate resilience by developing the ability to bounce back from difficulties. When faced with obstacles, focus on finding solutions and adapting your approach rather than dwelling on the fear of failure.

Ask yourself questions like:

1. What can I learn from this challenge or experience?
2. What can I do right now with what I have?
3. What would the version of me who is already a successful business owner do at this moment?
4. And commit to taking action, even if it’s uncomfortable, in the name of growth.

Remember, starting a business involves taking calculated risks, and setbacks are often temporary.

By adopting a growth mindset and implementing these strategies, you can overcome the fear of failure and position yourself for success.

Three Truths Especially for Coaches Who Are Afraid They Might Fail

Coaches especially can feel a sense of unrelenting pressure to be perfect and avoid failure. If that sounds like you, take heart in these three truths I’ve learned after decades in the coaching industry.

1. Accept that you don’t have all the answers.

Every coach in every field experiences times when they don’t know what to say or do.

This isn’t a unique failing on your part; it’s simply part of being human! The best pitchers walk batters, and the best batters strike out.

We all make mistakes, and nobody gets things perfect every time.

When you do have a situation like this, it’s best to just be honest. Doing so will make you relatable and give your clients permission to be honest on their own journey of growth.

2. Remember that not everyone is coachable, and some people just won’t be the right fit.

Not every client’s results will be a reflection of you or your coaching skills.

Some people simply aren’t willing to do what it takes to create real change in their lives. Some clients will be a better fit for someone else’s coaching style.

Always reflect on client feedback, but don’t let their limitations control your work or affect your self-esteem.

3. Get advice and support from coaches who have decades of experience.

Sometimes, as a coach, you’ll feel stuck.

But you have a valuable resource at your fingertips! Mentors and those who can share their own experiences and viewpoints to cover your blind spots.

This is a big part of the reason I created the Brave Thinking Institute. I wanted life coaches to have a place where they could learn to support their clients, while also getting support when they need it.

Sometimes it’s best to hear it from others who have gone before to see what’s truly possible.

Check out this video from our most successful coaches. They share their unique insights and let you in on what they wish they knew before they became a coach!