EARTH SIGNS

Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

People born under the earth signs are often described as responsible and reliable, a ‘ safe pair of hands’, people who can be trusted to get a job done. Earth sign people are often described as sensual as they take the time to appreciate life through all the physical senses of sight, sound, touch, smell and taste.

Among the main attributes of earth signs are that they tend to be secure, reliable, with a low- risk attitude, i. e. they always follow the slow but sure way to build material security. In short, earth signs can become so focussed on immediate tasks and goals that they don’t fully appreciate the wider aspects of life, including both the opportunities and people around them. Earth signs fear failure: Normal amount of doubt regarding success in certain project, relationships or examinations is usually present in most people. However, when the fear of failure takes on an extreme form then it is termed as Atychiphobia.

Individuals coping with Atychiphobia mainly fear failure because they lack confidence in their abilities. Some experience extreme fear of failure because of the ridicule one might face owing to the failure. Likewise, some suffer from

Atychiphobia due to the fear of risk- taking. Individuals coping with Atychiphobia often have unrealistic expectations.

Atychiphobia is often linked to distressing or embarrassing events in one’s past. Strict or overly- demanding parents or demeaning siblings or friends can also lead a child to suffer extreme fear of failure. Minor failures in one’s childhood can cause embarrassment or ridicule. These lead to negative thoughts when undertaking challenges. The fear of failure continues to grow and adds up as one matures. One might even go to great lengths to

avoid

things that are unlikely to have a favourable ending.

Many coping with the fear of failure phobia give up trying completely, especially where relationships, education or jobrelated projects are concerned. They believe in their mind that the outcome of most of these projects would be imperfect, not realising that perfection is merely an illusion. The fear of failure can also lead the person to sabotage his/ her life.

The most effective treatment for the fear of failure is selfmotivation. Experts recommend breaking a task into smaller pieces. This can help people realise that failure does not mean the end of life, rather it is crucial for growing.