How to overcome your secret fear of failure - Petruska Clarkson

Achilles was the Greek hero of the Trojan Wars, a warrior who seemed invincible and won every battle - surely not a man to doubt his own competence? Yet Achilles, like us mere mortals, had a fatal flaw. The story goes that as a baby, his mother dipped him in the river Styx so its waters would render him immortal. The only part of him to remain untouched was his heel: this was the place where he could be fatally injured, if only others could see through the deception to his fatal, hidden flaw. The rest, as they say, is history...This book is full of illuminating examples of those who suffer from such 'pseudo-competency'. It presents practical solutions to the problem of closing the yawning gap between people's own (low) assessment of themselves and others' (high) opinion of them in a particular field. Chapters deal with 'Achilles' at work, in love, as a parent and - one of the most intriguing cases - as an artist (painter, writer, musician - all types of 'creative block' are examined here). This is a fascinating study of the mechanics of self-doubt - and, more important, a powerful tonic for curing the crippling anxiety and stress caused by it.