Overcoming Judgment: Build Public & Share Failures

4/17/2025

Building in public is a bold act that many entrepreneurs, creators, and thinkers are embracing today. It involves sharing your journey—both the highs and the lows—with your audience. However, this openness can often lead to a deep-rooted fear of judgement from others. The thought of exposing yourself to public scrutiny can be paralyzing, but overcoming this fear can lead to significant personal growth and community support.

Understanding the Fear of Judgment

The fear of judgement is natural. According to a 2011 article by Marie Forleo, the feeling arises from our instincts as social beings. We crave acceptance and belonging, making the potential for negative feedback feel perilous. When building in public, this fear can become a heavy weight that stops us from sharing our authentic selves. Factors contributing to this anxiety include:

Past Experiences: Previous criticism can haunt creators, making the prospect of public sharing seem daunting.
Perfectionism: The notion that everything must be flawless before sharing can prevent progress.
Social Conditioning: Society often values conformity, making stepping out from the crowd an act fraught with potential for judgment.

Why Build in Public?

While the fear of judgement is real, the benefits of building in public far outweigh the negatives. Not only can sharing your journey foster accountability, it can also enable connection and support from others who are on similar paths. Here are some advantages:

Community Engagement: Sharing your failures and learnings can foster a sense of community. Many are likely to relate to your struggles.
Feedback: Receiving constructive feedback can help you improve your work significantly. The more transparent you are, the more insightful the feedback will be.
Personal Growth: Each step you share—even the missteps—can contribute to your growth as an individual and professional.
Inspiration for Others: Your willingness to be vulnerable often inspires others to share their journeys, thereby creating a ripple effect.

Strategies for Overcoming the Fear of Judgment

1. Acknowledge Your Fear

Before you can confront your fear, you need to recognize it. Acknowledge that it’s okay to feel afraid of judgement. This allows you to take a step back, understand where the fear is coming from, and prepare to tackle it. Understanding that this fear is part of the process can empower you to move forward.

2. Shift Your Mindset

Instead of focusing on the fear of negative feedback, try to reframe your thinking. Focus on the value of being authentic and vulnerable. Remember, others are likely battling similar insecurities. To shift the narrative, practice self-compassion and remind yourself why you started this journey in the first place.

3. Start Small

Begin by sharing your journey with a smaller audience. This could be friends, family, or a select group of supportive individuals. Starting small allows you to build confidence before broadcasting to a larger audience. As you gain confidence, gradually increase your reach to a broader audience.

4. Seek Supportive Communities

Engaging with groups like Toastmasters or online communities focused on building in public can provide support and encouragement. More experienced members can share their insights on tackling the fears that come with being vulnerable.

5. Use Reflection as a Tool

When sharing your failures, use reflection as a tool for growth. Take time after sharing to reflect on the experience, both the positive and negative feedback received. What can you learn from this? Engaging with feedback helps you grow and strengthens your resilience against negative judgement.

6. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness practices such as deep breathing and visualization can help calm anxiety before sharing. Engaging in routines that foster a sense of calm can shift your perspective and help you manage fear better. Imagine presenting your work in a positive light, embracing the support of a community that celebrates your journey.

7. Redefine Failure

As you share your experiences, redefine what failure means. Understand that failure is not the opposite of success but part of the journey. Each failure provides an opportunity for learning and growth, as outlined in this Medium article by Melissa Hastings. Embracing this mindset can lessen the fear of judgement.

8. Leverage Arsturn

As you embark on your journey of building in public, consider using tools like Arsturn. Arsturn helps you create custom chatbots for your website, which allows you to engage with your audience effectively. This platform can help you manage inquiries and build a community without the constant fear of being judged. With Arsturn, you can offer instant responses and personalized interactions, turning potential fear into a productive engagement tool. Plus, it’s user-friendly and requires no coding skills!

Embracing the Learning Curve

Remember, the journey of building in public is a learning curve. You will face challenges and some criticism along the way. In a Training Industry article, Scott Mautz discusses how to overcome the fear of criticism through various techniques. Integrating these strategies helps reduce negative feedback's emotional weight.

9. Document Your Progress

Journaling your journey can bolster your confidence. Seeing how far you’ve come can serve as a reminder that growth comes from putting yourself out there. Acknowledge your achievements, whether small or big

10. Engage with Feedback

Finally, learn to embrace feedback, whether it’s constructive or critical. It may sting at first, but the insights you gain are invaluable, just like the insights provided through constructive criticism. By reframing criticism as an opportunity for growth, you will be better prepared to face judgement head-on.

Conclusion

Overcoming the fear of judgement when building in public isn’t easy, but it’s definitely worth it! The journey transforms not just your business or project, but also yourself. Embrace your failures, learn from them, and share your experience with an open heart. With tools like Arsturn to help engage your audience, you can turn your fear into empowerment and connection. The world is waiting—so step out, share your journey, and embrace the beauty of vulnerability. It could just lead to a beautiful community of support and growth!

By recognizing that everyone struggles and learning to share those struggles, you empower yourself and others. Let’s keep building together!

Begin your journey with Arsturn now and transform how you engage with your audience! Sign up today at Arsturn.com. No credit card required!

Overcoming the Fear of Judgement When Building in Public & Sharing Failures