Why are people afraid of making mistakes?

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   LensMan999posted 11 years ago

   Why are people afraid of making mistakes?
   
   It is said that we learn from our mistakes. So why to be afraid of making a mistake?
   
   

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2. 46

   DDEposted 11 years ago

   Some people are scared to take a risk and feel making a mistake will discourage them but one should be  learning  from their mistakes. Mistakes also can put them on edge.

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3. 96

   KDeusposted 11 years ago

   I think the biggest reason that people are afraid of making mistakes is because they fear failure. As a society, we are scrutinized on nearly every thing we do - how we do our job, run our business, raise our kids, even our body image. Heavy people get made fun of, there's always someone next in line for our job, a new company is competing for your business with a fancy new website, society watches to make sure our kids aren't disciplined in a way that could be perceived as something it's not. We are always being watched and the pressures can add up to the point we stress ourselves out for even the tiniest mistake.
   
   I think, in general, we worry too much about what other people think or how we'll be perceived. We have to learn to be comfortable with "us" and how we approach things (as long as it's really not detrimental). When we become accepting of ourselves, I think we'll be less afraid to make mistakes and when we do, take lessons from them and apply them to improve upon ourselves for US.

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   peachpurpleposted 11 years ago

   I am afraid of making mistake or many mistakes. Afraid to be scolded in front of others whether outsiders or family members. Afraid to be looked down and lost of confidence.

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      Laura Schneiderposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      peachpurple, you say that and yet you put yourself out here on HubPages for all the world to see! I think that you are not giving yourself enough credit for being the awesome person that you are and capable of taking risks and occasional mistakes!

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5. 68

   EJ Lambertposted 11 years ago

   Fear of a mistake is drawn from the disappointment and anger other people exude when said person makes that mistake.  That is almost always the sole reason people are hesitant to be decisive in anything.  It is why we sometimes idolize those certain characters, in any profession, who are able to ignore the idea of making a mistake and going ahead with their decisions.

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      Laura Schneiderposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Very true, EJ Lambert! I totally agree!

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   Billie Kelpinposted 11 years ago

   The greatest response I ever heard was from a person who had been been involved in the Viet Nam War.  When asking him, many years ago,  why he wasn't afraid to make a very bold decision at work he responded, "What are they going to do to me?  Draft me?  Send me to Viet Nam?"  I use that phrase every once and a while when faced with a difficult decision and worry about the mistake I might make.  "What are they doing to do?  Draft me?  Send me to Viet Nam?"  I ask myself.  While that phrase has no relevance to me in the year 2013, it portrays the concept that when you minimize what you have to lose, you become bold in your decision making.

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      Laura Schneiderposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Brilliant analysis!

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   Andy McGuireposted 11 years ago

   Most because a lot of us don't know how to learn from them. I've written a hub or 2 along these lines.

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8. 71

   Darrell Robertsposted 11 years ago

   Most people want to be loved and thought of in a positive light.  I think that people fear making mistakes because they think that other people will think less of them.  Another reason is that a mistake could potentially harm another person and not many people would feel good about harming another person. 
   
   Best wishes

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9. 83

   gmwilliamsposted 11 years ago

   We've been taught that no one's perfect yet when we make mistakes,it's treated as ineptitude at best& a mortal transgression at worst.What people don't realize is  mistakes are growth opportunities. read more

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      gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      This hub is an answer to this question, please check it out.

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10. 60

    IDONOposted 11 years ago

    I believe fear of making a mistake is due to a low self esteem. A lack of confidence in ones self, both in decision making and ability. Many tend to sell themselves short and in the process, cheat themselves out of obtainable things due to lack of trying. Fear is the most powerful of emotions and can make us do or not do things that we would never dream of.
         I had an old boss that told me," There are no mistakes. Only opportunities." It took a long time to understand that, but I think he meant that a mistake gave you a chance to realize exactly where you stand in a situation, which gives you a foundation to build on for a better result in whatever you are trying to accomplish.

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       Laura Schneiderposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Another brilliant analysis, IDONO! Your old boss was wise--I wish all bosses were like that.

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    Laura Schneiderposted 11 years ago

    Sometimes the consequences of making a mistake can be extreme, such as losing your job or house or spouse.
    
    Most of the time, however, I think people are afraid of making mistakes because mistakes are considered failures--negatives--in at least my society, if not most. People generally want to please others and be agreeable and successful (those traits are society pluses), so making a mistake can indeed be a big negative and people are often more ashamed of making mistakes rather than pleased that they took the chance to do something and learned from their mistake.
    
    Also, some people DON'T learn from their mistakes (I think most people are guilty of that at times, some moreso than others).

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12. 83

    gmwilliamsposted 3 years ago

    Mistakes are equivalent to failure.  Failure oftentimes mean loss opportunities.  Mistakes mean starting over & not being where one should be.  Many people are taught that mistakes indicate that they are somehow deficient as human beings.  They are inculcated in the premise that in order to be seen as intelligent, they should be as perfect as possible.   
    
    In the workplace, mistakes result in being written up or disciplined.  Mistakes in the workplace could destroy credibility, even ruin chances of promotion & advancement.   Mistakes mean that one is a subpar employee & this translates in being constantly supervised & seen as inept.   Mistakes can even lead to be termination of employment & being terminated destroys one's career opportunities.
    
    In school,  children who make mistakes are seen as dumb, not smart.  Mistakes translates into failure.  Mistakes can cause children to be left back & seen as remedial.   Mistakes means a lower grade & decreases  children's chances of attending a good high school &/or a good college.   People are afraid to make errors because errors decrease their chances for educational & socioeconomic success.  People also know that mistakes can RUIN their lives in other ways.

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