What's Stopping You?

A practical guide to attacking the most common of phobias: fear of failure A practical guide to attacking the most common of phobias: fear of failure Since its publication in 2011, What's Stopping You? has offered readers a hard look at the quality of their careers and personal lives. For those who'd give themselves a solid "C+", this brutally honest guide to taking stock also offers the keys to self-improvement. By dismantling the fear inhibiting all achievement—fear of failure—author Robert Kelsey offers a set of seven steps designed to help readers map out their actions, and attain what once seemed elusive milestones. Written for the frustrated underachiever or anyone who feels like one, this unique book addresses can the real obstacles hindering both professional and personal growth. Includes a new chapter with tactics for overcoming a fear of failure Explores methods for dealing with different types of people in a host of situations, such as getting a new job, pitching for new work, making presentations, or communicating clearly in an argument With a Foreword by one of Britain's most successful businessman, Luke Johnson, this unique handbook to overcoming the most basic of fears is a must for anyone who would like to upgrade the quality of their life.

Preface to the Second Edition ix Foreword by Luke Johnson xiii Introduction 1 Part One - What is Stopping You? 9 1 Fear 11 2 External Responses 28 3 Failure as a Positive Experience 43 4 Producing Better Responses 54 Part Two - Goals 61 5 Act 63 6 Visualization 72 7 Language and Behaviour 87 8 Appropriate Goal Setting for Recovering High-FFs 98 Part Three - Execution 107 9 Strategy and Tactics 109 10 Judgement and Ideas 123 11 Managing the Process 132 What’s Stopping You? Part Four - People 149 12 Self-esteem 151 13 Dealing with the Boss 163 14 Progress as an Employee 172 15 Networking and Interviews 181 16 Leadership 194 Part Five - Me Inc. 209 17 The High-FF Entrepreneur 211 18 Alternative Paths for the High-FF 220 Conclusion - The Point of Recovery 233 Seven Steps to Navigating Fear of Failure 241 Bibliography 247 About Robert Kelsey 253 Index 255