I’ve been struggling with the book I’m working on, and it has me thinking a lot about my fear of failure. (If you prefer a video version of this post, I talk about my fear of failure here on my YouTube Channel.)

I try to keep my thoughts positive, but it’s not always easy. That fear of failure is pretty strong in me. I’m trying to work through it and get out of my way because it’s definitely not doing me any favors. There’s never been a time when I’ve sat down and thought, “Whew, I’m so glad I doubted myself.”

Often, if I share my doubts, people will say, “What’s the worst that could happen?” I can come up with a lot of answers to that question. Long detailed answers. Not necessarily realistic, mind you, but DETAILED.

There are a few ways I’ve been trying to work through this lately.

MINI GOALS

The first is setting goals that I break down into really small goals. I’ve talked a little bit more about my goal setting in one of my YouTube videos. 

But basically, if I can consistently take even tiny steps toward my bigger goal, I feel good about it.

FIND ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS

I’ve also found people around me who can hold me accountable. It can be so easy for me to change my personal due dates. Of course, there are valid reasons to change that due date. A family emergency. An alien invasion. Anxiety over a global pandemic that messes with your productivity.

But I don’t always have a valid reason when I change my due dates, which is where accountability partners come in.

It helps me to have people in my life who know what I’m trying to accomplish so they can encourage me to actually get it done.

One thing note is that even if you’re unable to meet with accountability partners in person, there are many ways to virtually meet with people. Jump on a video call and have virtual writing time or chat about your goals. Zoom, Skype, and Facebook all have options for video chats.

I usually meet with a writing group every week, and they’re amazing for many reasons. One is that I love to hear other people read their writing. I find it really inspiring. Another reason is when I tell them my goals, they’ll ask ‘Hey, how’s that going?” and if I say, “Not well,” they can say, “What’s going on? You can do this!”

Sometimes when I’m sitting alone at my computer, I’ll write something and then think, “haha, that’s so funny!” But I’m not sure if anyone else will find me as funny as I find myself. If I read it aloud to people, and they laugh at the right parts, I know at least someone else finds it funny! It’s good to have that validation.  

I also have a writer friend I meet with every week. We’ll just write together and talk about writing, and she doesn’t let me make excuses. If I say I want to do something, but I have doubts, she pretty much tells me, “No excuses. You just gotta do it.” Sometimes that’s exactly what I need to hear. And she’ll even give me writing due dates so I’m accountable to her as well as myself. That’s really helpful.

I do some work as a developmental editor, and I help other writers set due dates to reach their goals. There’s sometimes something about getting that information and that structure from someone who doesn’t have the same reservations you have about your own work. So while you may be thinking, “Can I get this done?” They can say, “Yup, you can, and here’s how to do it.”

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCCESS

Finally I”m trying to focus on the possibility of success versus the fear of failure. Just picturing the, “What if this does work?” instead of the “What if this doesn’t?” can be really powerful. It’s kind of like that dreaded interview question (but more fun because you’re not in a job interview and you can let your imagination run wild). Where do you see yourself in one year, five years, ten years? 

I think, “What if everything I want DOES work out?” It maybe won’t work out exactly how I imagine it, but that doesn’t mean I SHOULDN’T imagine it. 

Because really, the world isn’t watching and waiting for my failures, so what am I so afraid of?

Do you ever struggle with that fear of failure? How do you work through it? Let me know in the comments down below!

As my personal deadlines for this project approach, I decided to mix up my writing routine.

I usually try to hit certain word count goals, but I needed to spend some time figuring out how to make some parts of the story work.

I decided to focus on time spent writing instead.

I stayed in my chair for hour-long chunks (not an easy feat for me).

Check out my video to see how it worked for me!

Do you measure your writing by word count or time spent or neither? Please comment down below!

1. Summer at theComfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson

As you may know by now, I love books with family, romance, and FOOD! 

That’s why, when I came across The Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe, I bought it immediately.

I was five pages in when I went out and bought the rest of Debbie Johnson’s books.

It’s that good!

There are more books in the series, and all of them are wonderful. This one is my favorite though. Probably because it was my first encounter with the author, and I wasn’t expecting all the humor and warm fuzzies that the book offered.

I’m going to include a warning to everyone. I read parts of this book in public. At one point, I was sobbing. Yes, sobbing. So for that reason, I recommend you read this in the privacy of your own home, or at least be prepared for strangers to stare as you use the pages of the book to dry your tears.

But seriously, I highly recommend this book! (Don’t worry, there are a lot of laugh out loud moments too!!)

2. The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Edwards Andrews

My fourth grade teacher introduced me to The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. She would read it to us after recess.

I loved it so much that once she finished it, I bought a copy and read it again and again.

It’s by Julie Edwards Andrews. I was very obsessed with The Sound of Music as a kid. Many of the more serious themes of the movie went right over my head, but I loved Brigitta, and I often wished that my parents would have had more children (and that I could actually sing worth a hoot) so we could have formed a singing group.  

This book is so much fun! Even though it’s geared towards a younger audience, it’s still a really enjoyable read as an adult!

3. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Ella Enchanted is another book that may be geared toward a younger audience, but I love it so much!

Gail Carson Levine has a way of writing that draws you right into the world of the story.

This was turned into a movie, and the movie version is a lot of fun, but the book is even better! 

If you’re looking for some sweet romance and magic, I recommend this book!

4. The Nanny by Melissa Nathan

I first read The Nanny when I was living in England on a temporary work visa after I graduated from college.

After work, I would go to my favorite coffee shop and read. There were tables by the windows upstairs. It was the perfect perch to watch the bustling activity outside. Getting lost in stories was the best way to keep homesickness at bay.

The Nanny was my first Melissa Nathan book, but not my last. I searched the charity shops until I found every one of her books. 

Sadly, the author passed away from breast cancer. She wrote several lovely romantic comedies, and I highly recommend all of them.

5. Enchanted Inc. by Shanna Swendson

I love books with magic in a real world setting. Probably because I’m still waiting for a fairy godmother (or Merlin) to show up and tell me I have magical powers.

This book is set in New York City. The main character, Katie, is immune to magic and gets a job working for a company called Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc.

This series is full of fun characters and lots of adventure! Plus, there’s a little romance!

What are your favorite books? Please comment down below!