Overcoming Fear of Failure: Five Tips for Developing a Growth Mindset in Your Art Practice
Fear of failure is something almost every artist struggles with at some point. You might worry that your work isn’t good enough, that others will judge it, or that you’ll never meet your expectations. This fear can stop you from creating altogether.
But here’s the truth: mistakes and failures are a natural and necessary part of being an artist. The key to moving past this fear is to develop a growth mindset. Let’s discuss what that means and how to apply it to your art practice.
What Is a Growth Mindset?
A growth mindset is the belief that you can improve through effort, practice, and learning. It’s about focusing on progress instead of perfection. When you have a growth mindset, you see mistakes as opportunities to learn, not proof that you’re not good enough.
In contrast, a fixed mindset makes you believe your talent and abilities are set in stone. If you think, “I’ll never be as good as that artist,” or “I’m just not talented enough,” you’re stuck in a fixed mindset. This way of thinking makes failure feel final and can hold you back from taking risks or trying new things.
Letting Go of Perfectionism
Perfectionism often goes hand in hand with fear of failure. You might feel like your work must be flawless before you share it with others or even before you allow yourself to feel proud. But here’s the thing: perfection doesn’t exist. No matter how much you polish a piece, there will always be something you can improve. And that’s okay.
Instead of aiming for perfection, try aiming for progress. Focus on getting a little better with each piece you create. Remind yourself that every artist— even the ones you admire— has made bad art. What matters is that they kept going.
Embracing Mistakes
Mistakes are a normal part of the creative process. They’re often where the magic happens. A stray line in a sketch might inspire a new design. A failed painting might teach you a valuable lesson about colour or composition. Mistakes help you grow, but only if you’re willing to learn from them.
When you make a mistake, try not to beat yourself up. Instead, ask yourself: “What can I learn from this?” Treat your mistakes as teachers. The more you embrace them, the more fearless you’ll become in your art practice.
Tips for Developing a Growth Mindset
Here are some simple ways to start building a growth mindset:
Celebrate Small Wins: Instead of focusing on what went wrong, notice what you did well. Maybe you tried a new technique or finished a piece even though it was hard. Those are victories worth celebrating.
Keep a Sketchbook: Use a sketchbook as a safe space to experiment and make mistakes. Remember that these drawings don’t have to be perfect— they’re just for you.
Learn from Others: Look at the early work of your favourite artists. Seeing their progress over time can remind you that improvement is a journey.
Take Breaks: If fear of failure makes you freeze up, step away for a while. A break can help you reset and come back with a fresh perspective.
Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes, and they don’t define your worth as an artist.
Keep Creating
The only way to get better at art is to keep making it. Some pieces will turn out great, and others won’t. That’s just part of the process. What matters most is that you keep showing up and trying. Over time, you’ll see how much you’ve grown— not in spite of your mistakes, but because of them.
