Why Failure In Gym Can Equal Success

The old saying, ‘There are two things inevitable in life; death and taxes,’ is one we are all familiar with, but I think they could add a third to the list of inevitables: FAILURE.

It doesn’t matter who you are or what profession you are in – at some point, you’ll fail and fail epically. In the sporting world, though, failure is not only epic but a part of the job. No one in the sporting domain is exempt from failure; coaches, athletes, and amateur gym-goers are all subjected to heartbreaking setbacks.

The Collins dictionary defines failure as ‘a lack of success in doing or achieving something, especially concerning a particular activity.’ Failure, however, should not be seen as a blow to one’s ego or an indication that you’re not good enough; instead, failure offers an incredible opportunity to grow.

Failure is a treasure trove of information that, if studied, can drive people to success beyond their wildest imaginations. In short, when you fail, it means something has happened which was out of your control, and you were unable to adapt or respond, or sometimes, as often happens, things just didn’t go as expected.

Let’s look at how you can turn failure into the ultimate success.

Why do many gym-goers sabotage their performances? It’s one of the most misunderstood phenomena in sports and fitness. While many think it’s because people fear success, which is a genuine concern, the reality is a most fear failure.

Whether fear of failure or success, both cause people to overthink, becoming consumed with feelings and emotions such as fear, stress, and constant worry. It’s important to note that these ‘fears’ have different origins.

So what causes people to fear failure? When gym-goers toil for hours on end, the thought of being unable to achieve their goal can make them fall victim to the dreaded ‘paralysis by analysis.’

Identifying signs of fear of failure

Ok, so now that we know all levels of sports enthusiasts can fear failure, what’s critical is to identify and understand the different types of fear that can prevent peak performance.

Many sports buffs fear being judged by others, such as coaches, friends, teammates, and opponents. Let’s look at some signs you or someone you might know may be displaying.

Common signs of fear of failure:

What’s important here is that if you are experiencing these fears, understand that they’re normal and you’re not alone. At some point, every sportsperson experiences the very same fears and emotions.

Failure can propel you to personal and career success in ways you’ve never imagined. Let’s look at four ways that you can turn your failures into raging successes both in and out of the gym.

When you fail, it provides plenty of data on what needs to be done to succeed the next time. Moreover, failure answers questions you would have never asked yourself. And that’s the best part; the facts we collect from our failures are embedded deeper into our psyche, providing opportunities to grow.

Say you’re a beginner, and during your first competition, poor weather creeps in that you haven’t been exposed to, and you’re untrained to adjust to. All the emotional fears you’ve just experienced can propel you toward success the next time the same situation arises.

Would you believe that failure can help boost your confidence? One of the first things failure does is force you to redefine success. Take a race conducted in harsh weather conditions. In this instance, some athletes may define success as completing the race rather than finishing on the podium.

The old saying, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going,’ rings true when in health and fitness, and there’s no better educator than a loss or a setback. By striving in the face of adversity, you can build your confidence, knowing that no matter what challenge comes your way, you have the mental grit to stick it out, regardless of the result.

Failure reminds us that the journey and the knocks along the way help us to improve. Confidence doesn’t come from one instant but rather from the hundreds of triumphs and setbacks you’ve experienced.

Failure teaches you precisely what parts of your performance need improving and poses some tough questions, like Do you have what it takes to try again, knowing you might fail?

Simply put, when you fail, you’re compelled to ask whether you really want the goals you’ve been aiming for and, if so, how much. When dealing with failure, you’re confronted with quitting, reevaluating your goals, or committing more than ever before.

Challenges are a blessing because they bring out the best in us. We’ve all been in a competition where we faced failure but somehow overcame it. Those experiences boost our confidence and help us develop a growth mindset.

After a setback, we experience various emotions ranging from disappointment and anger to embarrassment and guilt. While these emotions are tough to manage, they ‘light the way’ for continued learning critical in pursuing success.

After a loss, we’ve all run through the ‘what ifs.’ It’s not easy, and it hurts, but hidden in those ‘what ifs,’ is data for us to analyse to improve. While failure is difficult to handle, it’s critical to remember that every dark cloud has a silver lining, and failure is no different. With a change in mindset, you can view failure as success.

In psychology, there are numerous ways to overcome your fear of failure. But the fact is that we’re all different, so what works for one person won’t necessarily work for you. Here are three simple yet effective methods you can employ to face your fears.

One of the best ways to overcome fear is to face it head-on. While at first, this is daunting, once you face your fears, a weight is lifted off your shoulders. For example, if you fear being embarrassed, remind yourself to focus on your performance, do your best, and forget what others may think.

Most of us who fear failure tend to focus on the negatives instead of the positives. A negative mindset can cause us to ‘choke’ under pressure, affecting our decision-making and, eventually, our performance.

Visualising success is an excellent way to transform your mindset and perform at your maximum potential. I urge you to set aside 30 minutes each day to practice the art of visualising success. This easy shift in perspective can change your attitude, mindset, and career.

Perhaps the most powerful message is reminding ourselves that failure is a part of everyday life. Chasing perfection is a waste of time because it doesn’t exist; instead, strive to do your best. Deliberate practice also plays an important role. The more you trust your ability to execute specific skills, the better you perform.

Want to learn more?

Below is a short but powerful video from the world-renowned spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle that looks at the causes and manifestations of the fear of failure. I highly recommend watching the entire video to get the full impact of Eckhart’s teachings.

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