Fear of failure can be crippling, holding people back from their full potential. A major sign is an intense fear of rejection. This fear of being turned down or criticized leads to hesitance in putting oneself out there, whether for a job, date, or sharing ideas. Procrastination is another common indicator, stemming from a desire to avoid not meeting expectations. When afraid of failure, people tend to continually put off tasks.

Fear of failure often breeds perfectionism. Those gripped by this fear set unrealistic standards for themselves and are overcritical of efforts. They worry about not being good enough, leading to anxiety and an unwillingness to start new endeavors. Overanalyzing past setbacks is another example. Dwelling too much on mistakes reinforces negative self-perceptions. Ultimately, an aversion to risk-taking and avoiding challenges are hallmarks of a fear of being unsuccessful or a failure. Conquering this mindset requires reframing failures as learning opportunities and not being afraid to fail in pursuit of growth.