Recently, a man called and asked me how he could tell the truth about himself at work. Instead of the usual excuses and lies, tell them the truth and see what happens. I left at the last possible moment, knowing that you'd probably have to wait on me. I was selfish. He said people looked at him like he'd taken his pants off.
People are never honest like that.
I loved it. He noticed that people treated him more warmly the rest of the day. Being truthful about ourselves is the only way to attract loving relationships, wherever we find them. Now the specific situation you described. You were terrified that you'd fail at the assigned task and would look foolish, losing what little approval you were getting at work.