February 04, 2021 | Tagged Leadership
Afraid to Fail?
NBC Basketball Camps
College Basketball Prep Director, Jay Crowell, shares insights on how to overcome fear. Coach Crowell trains top basketball players at NBC Camps College Prep Camp.
Are you afraid to fail? I sure was. In fact, I still struggle with the fear of failure every day. I think most people are afraid to fail. As humans we do not like to look stupid or appear as if “we don’t know what we are doing.” In most cases, we play it safe in pursuit of looking cool or appearing confident or not being uncomfortable.
In life, however, you have to risk failing in order to be excellent. Maybe you need to try out for a new team, a new job or a new position and you may feel embarrassed if you don’t make it. Being willing to risk is a way we face our fears of failing.
There is risk involved with everything. I always have struggled with risk and I have played it safe too many times. At Crowell’s Intensity Camp, I shared how my fear of failure limited me on the basketball court and in other areas of my life. My fear had crippled me from trying to reach out for new goals because in my mind I would wonder: “What would people think if I fail?” I remember playing in games where I would have an awesome first half and at half-time I would be scared to go out for the second half because I might not play as well. What crazy thinking? I allowed fear to overcome my mind. I was amazed how many of the campers and other coaches share my same fear. Maybe you struggle with fear as well. Part of overcoming our fear of failure is by admitting our fears. It actually takes courage to admit our struggles to a trust mentor and by doing so, we become more courageous.
I am still learning to deal with my fear, but by allowing myself to not be perfect I am overcoming that obstacle one opportunity at a time. I keep a quote on my desk that reads, “Courage is taking the first step, or a different path. It is the decision to place your dreams above your fears.” That is my goal. My hope for you is to go after your goals and strive for excellence, but understand perfection is not attainable. You have to know that failure is inevitable, and you must be willing to fail if you want to reach your goals and dreams.
About NBC College Basketball Prep Camp
Athletes from around the world fly to attend this camp located in basketball mecca, Spokane, Washington. This camp was created by Coach Jay Crowell and his father Fred Crowell who was the founder and president of NBC Camps. They wanted to give athletes an inside look on college basketball and what to do to be more prepared when they head to college as well as help athletes who want to achieve a college scholarship.