Breaking agreement with the fear of failure and shame

I called my mom yesterday afternoon and asked her if I've always been somber/melancholy personality, and she said she remembers me as a kid running and laughing freely.  I want to recover that freedom and joy.

I think at least one thing that has been constraining my joy is a fear of failure.  

I had a great conversation with Brandi at dinner last night about this issue. I worked hard in high school to get good grades. I remember worrying as I started college that I was going to fail out of college my first semester and be an embarrassment to my family and small town.  Then the pressure I put on myself went to the next level in college maintaining a "perfect" 4.0 GPA.  I remember my last semester being so stressed out about getting A's in all my courses.  Then in grad school, I ratcheted up the pressure on myself even higher, especially finishing my dissertation.  But the fear of failure was especially intense as an assistant professor.  I have struggled with imposter syndrome since I started as a professor.

What does agreement with the fear of failure offer me?  Somehow it is a temptation to mitigate the risk of shame by self-righteousness.

I am made in the image of Yahweh, and I am his adopted son.  I break agreement with the fear of failure and the fear of shame.  I choose to be motivated by the agape love of God.

Father, thank you for your endless mercy and grace through Jesus which covers my sin and shame and makes me whole and holy.  Thank you for your unconditional and unending agape love.  I love you.