Failed attempts to try

Why do we choose not to try some things?

There are instances in our lives when we look at what we can choose to do or choose not to do. We weigh the possible outcomes that will result from our attempts or lack of attempts. When we choose not to try our hand at a task, do we make this decision based on a fear of failing? Or do we not even try because we fear that we may actually succeed? Perhaps we are so unsure of how we will handle success that we choose to not try at all.

Other times we choose to make the attempt. But why? Are we really trying to succeed? Common sense tells me that, yes, an attempt at something is an attempt to succeed at that something. But some recent attempts promt me to ask, are we really looking to fail?