I have a confession to make: I’m terrified of failure.

This fear isn’t just a nagging worry — it’s a persistent driving force that shapes how I approach my work. 

The result? I tend to over-prepare for presentations, meetings, and podcast interviews to the point where failure seems almost impossible. 

Of course, there’s no such thing as being prepared for absolutely everything, but this approach has generally been effective for me.

At first glance, this intense fear might seem like a weakness. Without a doubt, it started out that way. 

But I’ve come to realize that, when channeled properly, it can be a powerful tool in creating products and experiences that people truly need. 

Here’s why:

1. Thorough Research: Fear of failure often leads to extensive market research and customer insights gathering. This deep understanding of your audience is crucial in developing products that meet real needs.
2. Attention to Detail: When you’re afraid of failing, you’re less likely to overlook small but important details. This meticulousness can result in a more polished, user-friendly product.
3. Anticipation of Problems: Constantly thinking about what could go wrong helps in preemptively solving potential issues. This proactive approach can lead to more robust, reliable products.
4. Continuous Improvement: The fear of becoming obsolete or falling behind can drive ongoing innovation and product refinement.
5. High Standards: When failure isn’t an option, you’re more likely to set and maintain high standards for your work.

It’s important to balance this fear-driven preparation with the ability to take calculated risks. Here are some strategies to harness the power of fear productively:

1. Reframe Failure: See it as a learning opportunity rather than a final judgment. This can help reduce paralysis and encourage action.
2. Set Realistic Expectations: While striving for excellence, acknowledge that perfection is often unattainable. Define what success looks like for each project.
3. Use Fear as a Motivator: Channel your anxiety into action. Let it drive you to do the necessary work rather than avoid challenges.
4. Practice Controlled Failure: Intentionally put yourself in low-stakes situations where failure is possible. This can help build resilience and reduce overall anxiety.
5. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge your successes, no matter how small. This can help build confidence and counterbalance fear.
6. Seek Feedback Early and Often: Don’t wait until everything is “perfect” to get input. Early feedback can help address issues before they become major problems.

In “I Need That,” we explore how understanding and meeting customer needs is crucial for product success. 

Fear of failure, when properly managed, can be a powerful tool in this process. It can drive us to deeply understand our customers, anticipate their needs, and create products that truly resonate.

Remember, the goal isn’t to eliminate fear, but to harness it. When we channel our fear of failure into meticulous preparation and customer-centric thinking, we’re more likely to create products that make people say, “I need that!”

So, embrace your fear. Let it drive you to excel, to dig deeper, to understand more fully. 

It might just be the key to creating something truly exceptional.