Failure syndrome

How to identify and overcome it with mindset change and resilience

- Anjali Kochhar

No matter how many times we watch 3 Idiots and listen to Aamir Khan saying, "Success ke piche mat bhago, excellence ka picha karo" ("Don't chase success, chase excellence"), it is hard to accept failures when we experience it in real-time. The fear of failure, also known as failure syndrome, can hold individuals back from reaching their full potential because of self-doubt.

Failure syndrome is characterized by a persistent fear of failing, which leads to avoidance behaviours, low self-esteem, and perfectionism. "Failure Syndrome is often observed in individuals who experience the fear of failing or often anticipate failure, leading to low self-confidence, low self-esteem, etc. We can identify failure syndrome when the individual finds stepping out of their comfort zone challenging, doubts his/her capabilities in doing a task, and procrastinates fearing failure," explains Surbhi Sarin, Senior Manager, Counselling at eduVelocity Global.

According to Shreya R. Iyer, Habit Coach and ACE Personal Trainer at Alyve Health, "In our fast-paced world, 'accomplishments' are seen as a cornerstone of our existence. This can often create an environment of high pressure and the crippling fear of failing or making mistakes."

Failure syndrome can manifest in various ways, including:

• Fear of stepping outside one's comfort zone
• Constant procrastination and self-doubt
• Over-focusing on perfectionism, leads to decision paralysis