RSS FeedIf “Fear of Falling Leads to Falls”, Fear of Failure Leads to . . . ?
24 August 2010The British Medical Journal recently published the results of a study on fear of falling in the elderly. As reported in HealthLeadersMedia, the BMJ study states:
“Excessive fear of falling can lead to needless restriction in participation and social activities, resulting in physical deconditioning, poor quality of life, social isolation, depression, and psychological distress.”
In other words, individuals who are afraid of falling, limit their movement and physical activity to the extent that they actually make themselves physically and mentally weaker, thus increasing their likelihood of falling down. Their fear, in a sense, becomes a reality, and falling then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The same could be said for the fear of failure and its effect on one’s career. As professional recruiters, we work with so many physicians and other medical professionals who remain stuck in dead-end practices, afraid to move on to a better situation, for fear of change, fear of the unknown, fear of failure…fear of “falling”.
Starting anew is not the easiest option. Things worth accomplishing are rarely attained via the easy route or short-cut. You must weigh the benefits and potential outcomes of a new opportunity against the known lack of growth and advancement you’re experiencing by staying in your current situation. Is the short term pain (closing a practice, selling a house, relocating your family) worth the long-term gain of reaching for your goals? You, and only you, can determine if the fear is going to paralyze you and weaken you until you do fail to achieve your career goals, or if you’re going to overcome the apprehension to make yourself stronger by going, doing, and moving forward with your action plan until you work past the fear, and get to where you want to be in your medical practice career.
“The ‘interested’ do what’s convenient; the ‘committed’ do whatever it takes.” ~John Assaraf
Whether it’s a better quality of life you seek, improved financial situation, or higher quality of practice, are you “interested” in finding a new, better practice opportunity, or are you “committed” to achieving your career goals?
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