--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People aren't afraid of failure, they…" description: "\"People aren't afraid of failure, they just don't know how to succeed. We are each responsible for our own success (or failure). Winning at what you do ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1e/jeffrey-gitomer-2442_afraid-of-failure_people-aren-t-afraid-of-failure-they-jus_3011372.jpg" --- # People aren't afraid of failure, they just don't know how… ![“People aren't afraid of failure, they just don't know how to succeed. We are each responsible for our own success (or failure). Winning at what you do is no exception. To ensure a win, you must take a proactive approach. Prevention of failure is an important part of that process.” quote by Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1e/jeffrey-gitomer-2442_afraid-of-failure_people-aren-t-afraid-of-failure-they-jus_3011372.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1e/jeffrey-gitomer-2442_afraid-of-failure_people-aren-t-afraid-of-failure-they-jus_3011372.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1e/jeffrey-gitomer-2442_afraid-of-failure_people-aren-t-afraid-of-failure-they-jus_3011372.jpg) > “People aren't afraid of failure, they just don't know how to succeed. We are each responsible for our own success (or failure). Winning at what you do is no exception. To ensure a win, you must take a proactive approach. Prevention of failure is an important part of that process.” [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success requires proactive prevention of failure, not just reacting to it. **In simple terms:** Prevent failure by acting early. Key Takeaway Act early to avoid failure. Themes success proactivity responsibility Mood determined optimistic Type motivational practical When to use this quote - career planning - entrepreneurship - personal goals - team projects Key Concepts prevention initiative self‑efficacy Questions to Reflect On - What proactive habit could you start today? - How do you balance risk with prevention? A Different Perspective Proactive steps may not guarantee success; external factors matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afraid of failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-of-failure/) [Approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Prevention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prevention/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Success or failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success-or-failure/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [There's no success without failure and no winning without losing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pitbull/there-s-no-success-without-failure-and-no-winning-without-losing/) [Pitbull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pitbull/) > [Don't be afraid of failure; be afraid of petty success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maude-adams/don-t-be-afraid-of-failure-be-afraid-of-petty-success/) Maude Adams > [When I thought about why I was sometimes reluctant to push myself, I realized that it was because I was afraid of failure -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/when-i-thought-about-why-i-was-sometimes-reluctant-to-push-myself-i/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [Don't be afraid of failure. This is the way to succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lebron-james/don-t-be-afraid-of-failure-this-is-the-way-to-succeed/) [LeBron James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lebron-james/) > [I'm not afraid of failure; I'm afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-carey/i-m-not-afraid-of-failure-i-m-afraid-of-succeeding-at-things-that-don/) [William Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-carey/) > [Never be afraid of failure. And don't stop yourself from doing something you want to do because of what others might think. Only you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suki-waterhouse/never-be-afraid-of-failure-and-don-t-stop-yourself-from-doing/) [Suki Waterhouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suki-waterhouse/) > [Sometimes we're afraid of failure so therefore we miss out on opportunities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/surgeo-bell/sometimes-we-re-afraid-of-failure-so-therefore-we-miss-out-on/) [Surgeo Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/surgeo-bell/) > [“Pushing myself, I knew, would cause me serious discomfort. It's a Secret of Adulthood: Happiness doesn't always make you feel happy. When I thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/pushing-myself-i-knew-would-cause-me-serious-discomfort-it-s-a-secret/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [I'm not the guy who's afraid of failure. I like to take risks, take the big shot and all that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-curry/i-m-not-the-guy-who-s-afraid-of-failure-i-like-to-take-risks-take-the/) [Stephen Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-curry/) > [I was very afraid of failure because if you fail at something you love, then you ruin what you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimbal-musk/i-was-very-afraid-of-failure-because-if-you-fail-at-something-you/) [Kimbal Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimbal-musk/) > [If you show me someone who's afraid of failure, I'll show you someone who is not a groundbreaking, innovative pioneer of a certain industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-heyman/if-you-show-me-someone-who-s-afraid-of-failure-i-ll-show-you-someone/) [Paul Heyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-heyman/) > [If you're so afraid of failure, you will never succeed. You have to take chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/if-you-re-so-afraid-of-failure-you-will-never-succeed-you-have-to/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [“I was never afraid of failure; for I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/i-was-never-afraid-of-failure-for-i-would-sooner-fail-than-not-be/) [John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/) > [Don't be afraid of failure, be afraid of not trying in the first place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-forleo/don-t-be-afraid-of-failure-be-afraid-of-not-trying-in-the-first-place/) [Marie Forleo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-forleo/) > [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) ## More by Jeffrey Gitomer > [If you look deep inside trust, you'll find truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/if-you-look-deep-inside-trust-you-ll-find-truth/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [The more a prospective customer clicks on you and your stuff, the easier it is for them to make a buying decision in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/the-more-a-prospective-customer-clicks-on-you-and-your-stuff-the/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [If you want to be the best salesperson, first you must be the best person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/if-you-want-to-be-the-best-salesperson-first-you-must-be-the-best/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [Most salespeople are half prepared. They know everything about their company and their product. They know nothing about their prospect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/most-salespeople-are-half-prepared-they-know-everything-about-their/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [Use your CRM to retain customers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/use-your-crm-to-retain-customers/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [What is a positive attitude? The simple definition is the way you dedicate yourself to the way you think. Interestingly, it's also the definition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/what-is-a-positive-attitude-the-simple-definition-is-the-way-you/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [The love of what you do, combined with your belief in what you do, will not determine your success. It will determine how hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/the-love-of-what-you-do-combined-with-your-belief-in-what-you-do-will/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [In business, your positive thoughts and lifestyle choices lead to your personal success and your career success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/in-business-your-positive-thoughts-and-lifestyle-choices-lead-to-your/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [Take action every day - some small dose at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/take-action-every-day-some-small-dose-at-a-time/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [The reason Trust is requested is because the person seeking Trust realizes that Trust is the key to Yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/the-reason-trust-is-requested-is-because-the-person-seeking-trust/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [Being honest when you're dealing with others is easier to do because your honesty is on the table for all to view...Being honest with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/being-honest-when-you-re-dealing-with-others-is-easier-to-do-because/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [Biggest question: Isn't it really 'customer helping' rather than customer service? And wouldn't you deliver better service if you thought of it that way?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/biggest-question-isn-t-it-really-customer-helping-rather-than/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [Sell yourself before you try to sell your company or your product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/sell-yourself-before-you-try-to-sell-your-company-or-your-product/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [There's no lotion or potion that will make sales faster and easier for you - unless your potion is hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/there-s-no-lotion-or-potion-that-will-make-sales-faster-and-easier/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [Trust is not a request, Trust is earned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/trust-is-not-a-request-trust-is-earned/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) [Explore all 166 Jeffrey Gitomer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) ## More Afraid of failure quotes > [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [Don't be afraid of failure, be afraid of not trying in the first place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-forleo/don-t-be-afraid-of-failure-be-afraid-of-not-trying-in-the-first-place/) [Marie Forleo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-forleo/) > [“I was never afraid of failure; for I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/i-was-never-afraid-of-failure-for-i-would-sooner-fail-than-not-be/) [John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/) > [“The coward and the ignorant are equally afraid of failure and humiliation. Escape is not a choice for them, as they find themselves having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sacredfire/the-coward-and-the-ignorant-are-equally-afraid-of-failure-and/) [Robin Sacredfire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sacredfire/) > [“Our fear is free-floating. We’re afraid this isn’t the right relationship or we’re afraid it is. We’re afraid they won’t like us or we’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/our-fear-is-free-floating-we-re-afraid-this-isn-t-the-right/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [If you're so afraid of failure, you will never succeed. You have to take chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/if-you-re-so-afraid-of-failure-you-will-never-succeed-you-have-to/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [If you show me someone who's afraid of failure, I'll show you someone who is not a groundbreaking, innovative pioneer of a certain industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-heyman/if-you-show-me-someone-who-s-afraid-of-failure-i-ll-show-you-someone/) [Paul Heyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-heyman/) > [“Never be afraid to wish for what you really want in life. Wishes are possible manifestation of thoughts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/never-be-afraid-to-wish-for-what-you-really-want-in-life-wishes-are/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I was very afraid of failure because if you fail at something you love, then you ruin what you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimbal-musk/i-was-very-afraid-of-failure-because-if-you-fail-at-something-you/) [Kimbal Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimbal-musk/) > [I'm not the guy who's afraid of failure. I like to take risks, take the big shot and all that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-curry/i-m-not-the-guy-who-s-afraid-of-failure-i-like-to-take-risks-take-the/) [Stephen Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-curry/) > [“Pushing myself, I knew, would cause me serious discomfort. It's a Secret of Adulthood: Happiness doesn't always make you feel happy. When I thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/pushing-myself-i-knew-would-cause-me-serious-discomfort-it-s-a-secret/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“He was like a jazz musician, joyfully improvising, imagining tastes that ordinary people could not. He pulled ingredients apart and reconstructed them in endlessly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-reichl/he-was-like-a-jazz-musician-joyfully-improvising-imagining-tastes/) [Ruth Reichl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-reichl/) > [Sometimes we're afraid of failure so therefore we miss out on opportunities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/surgeo-bell/sometimes-we-re-afraid-of-failure-so-therefore-we-miss-out-on/) [Surgeo Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/surgeo-bell/) > [Never be afraid of failure. And don't stop yourself from doing something you want to do because of what others might think. Only you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suki-waterhouse/never-be-afraid-of-failure-and-don-t-stop-yourself-from-doing/) [Suki Waterhouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suki-waterhouse/) > [“I don't care about the good grades in school, I'm not afraid of failures. All I want is to do what I want because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-ricafort/i-don-t-care-about-the-good-grades-in-school-i-m-not-afraid-of/) [Evan Ricafort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-ricafort/) [Browse all 98 Afraid of failure quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-of-failure/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "People aren't afraid of failure, they just don't know how to succeed. We are each responsible for our own success (or failure). Winning at what you do is no exception. To ensure a win, you must take a proactive approach. Prevention of failure is an important part of that process.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jeffrey Gitomer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/people-aren-t-afraid-of-failure-they-just-don-t-know-how-to-succeed/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Afraid of failure" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/people-aren-t-afraid-of-failure-they-just-don-t-know-how-to-succeed/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1e/jeffrey-gitomer-2442_afraid-of-failure_people-aren-t-afraid-of-failure-they-jus_3011372.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1e/jeffrey-gitomer-2442_afraid-of-failure_people-aren-t-afraid-of-failure-they-jus_3011372.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1e/jeffrey-gitomer-2442_afraid-of-failure_people-aren-t-afraid-of-failure-they-jus_3011372.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“People aren't afraid of failure, they just don't know how to succeed. We are each responsible for our own…” — Jeffrey Gitomer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jeffrey Gitomer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "People aren't afraid of failure, they...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/people-aren-t-afraid-of-failure-they-just-don-t-know-how-to-succeed/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/people-aren-t-afraid-of-failure-they-just-don-t-know-how-to-succeed/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```