“There’s a problem related to fear of failure,” said Coach, “and we do see it here. Often the fear of making mistakes here is context dependent. But sometimes, the circumstances and the personality come together to make one indecisive.

“Excessive caution, also known as risk aversion or a fear of taking risks, refers to a psychological trap where individuals consistently avoid or hesitate to engage in new or challenging experiences due to a fear of negative outcomes or uncertainty. Of them Robert Ludlum has said

“Those who hesitated at the moment of trial, who did not act with clarity and determination when the moments of crisis were upon them, deserved the limitations to which their fears committed them.”

Robert Ludlum, American author (1927-2001)

“Here are some risk factors associated with excessive caution, as well as techniques to address the problem:

Risk Factors for Excessive Caution:

1. Past traumatic experiences: Previous negative or traumatic experiences can contribute to an increased fear of taking risks and a desire to avoid similar situations.
2. Perfectionism: A perfectionistic mindset, where individuals fear making mistakes or facing failure, can lead to excessive caution as they strive for flawless outcomes.
3. Lack of self-confidence: Low self-confidence or self-doubt can undermine one’s belief in their ability to handle risks, navigate uncertain situations, or remedy mistakes.
4. Overprotective environment: Growing up in an environment that excessively prioritizes safety and discourages risk-taking can contribute to the development of excessive caution.
5. Fear of judgement or rejection: The fear of being judged or rejected by others can lead individuals to avoid taking risks and seek safety in familiar, comfortable situations.

“Now, this fear can be present in entire societies. The recent COVID pandemic also resulted in an epidemic of neurosis. But I think, some societies who are already neurotic succumbed more to the mindless precautions that characterized this 3-year episode.

“Alright, so everyone wants to be safe, right? Nobody’s keen on getting COVID or having their house burn down. But there’s this thing where you can have too much of a good thing. You can actually be too safe. And that’s where we see some societies trying to bubble wrap everything. But what happens when the bubble wrap stays on? People end up soft, scared, nutty. Let’s break it down.

“Picture this: you’re wrapped in bubble wrap. You’re not getting hurt, but you can’t really move either. Families, schools, nations do that. Trying to keep everything so safe that people don’t get to toughen up. They don’t learn how to deal with stuff because they never face any stuff. The result? A generation that freaks out when the WiFi is down for ten minutes.

“Taking risks is sometimes like tasting weird food – you must try it to discover new awesome flavors. But if society’s always freaking out about safety, people stop taking risks. And that’s a bummer because taking risks is how cool new stuff happens – like inventions, and businesses, and, you know, going on dates.

“And taking risks means people will suffer sometimes.

“But, we kept hearing about all the gazillion ways you could get sick, eat something bad, just going to the corner store could get you killed, you’re going to be too stressed out at work. All. The. Time. Society’s making people twitchy by bombarding them with safety alerts for everything under the sun. In some places you can’t even propose a team building activity without issuing a trigger alert.

“Fortunately, we’re not like that here.

“That’s right, Coach,” said Jed. “When everything’s super safe, people might start thinking they don’t have to watch out for themselves anymore. Someone else will take care of it, right? Like the Management Committee, or the floor monitors, whatever. This is when folks start doing dumb stuff because they think the safety nets will catch them. It’s like, “Why not call in sick and escape to Laos without telling anyone? There’s a rule that says absenteeism is wrong, right?”

“Right. I mean, absenteeism is wrong.

Look, being safe is great. But being too safe? Not so much. It’s like never taking the training wheels off your bike. If we want a company that’s got some grit, some brains, and a little bit of daring, we gotta be fine with taking a few knocks. And hey, it might be fun to pop some of that bubble wrap while we’re at it. So let’s find that sweet spot between running with scissors and refusing to run at all.

“On the personal level, here are somethings one can do to address excessive caution:

1. Identify and challenge fear-based thoughts: Recognize the fear-based thoughts that underlie excessive caution and challenge their validity. Practice reframing negative thoughts and focusing on the positive outcomes of taking calculated risks.
2. Gradual exposure and desensitization: Gradually expose yourself to situations that involve some level of risk or uncertainty. Start with smaller, manageable steps and increase the level of challenge to build confidence. Baby steps, man.
3. Set realistic goals: Make realistic goals that involve taking calculated risks. Break down larger tasks or goals into smaller, doable steps to make the process more manageable and less overwhelming.
4. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities: Shift your perspective on mistakes and failures. In fact, try not to see failure as failure, but as stepping stones that are a natural part of learning. That’s how we learned when we were kids, right? Don’t think of it as incompetence. Embrace a growth mindset.
5. Build self-confidence: Engage in activities that boost self-confidence, such as acquiring new skills, seeking feedback and recognition for a job well done, and celebrating achievement in yourself and in your team.
6. Seek support and encouragement: Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, or mentors who encourage and motivate you to take risks. Their positive reinforcement can provide an added sense of confidence and reassurance.
7. Develop problem-solving skills: Study. Learn the science of risk and develop effective problem-solving skills. Learn how to evaluate potential outcomes, consider alternative options, and develop contingency. One day let’s talk about the anti-paranoid formula, also known as Bayes’ Rule.
8. Practice mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness practices to cultivate awareness of your fears and anxieties. Do you meditate? Even 20 minutes of Zen meditation or simply prayer can help you observe and accept uncomfortable feelings without being controlled by them. Then you can take risks a little more comfortably.
9. Celebrate progress: I like to tell people, “Everyday, do something that scares you.” Acknowledge and celebrate each step taken outside your comfort zone, regardless of the outcome. Recognize that progress is a process.
10. Seek professional help: Again, for those where the fear is pathological. We have a list of therapists for this.

“So, Coach, overcoming excessive caution is a gradual process that requires patience and self-compassion. By challenging our fears, building skills and confidence, we also become comfortable and skillful with taking risks, freeing us from this psychological trap and opening ourselves to new opportunities and personal growth,” summarized Jed.

“Right,” and Coach called it a day.

(Q.C. 230629)