Fear of success is a real thing. There are even names for it like “success phobia.” This fear can have a serious effect on your success and satisfaction in life. Fear of success will likely destroy your business or at the very least, it won’t be as profitable as it could be. You may sabotage things unknowingly due to the tension of the very idea. It might sound ridiculous to fear doing well but we may not even realize we have this problem. It’s important to know the feelings that arise and how you can work through them.
What is Fear of Success?
You’re not afraid of success itself but the price you could pay for it. You may have to make changes, high more people, and dedicate yourself more to the business. When this fear comes up, you may step down from opportunities. You could obsess before you even land the sale or make a deal. You might ruminate about the future or even the smaller details about the meeting itself. You might get that “imposter syndrome” feeling and worry they will see how you’re not good at what you do. These fears can cause you to miss out on the success you really want.
Fear of Success and Self-Sabotage
As humans, we don’t much like change. We hold onto our routines and if this gets shaken, it can make you feel apprehensive. You’re going to have to leave your comfort zone to grow. You may resist great opportunities as a result. You could sabotage your success because of the fear of the change involved.
When we talk about self-sabotage, here are a few things that could take place:
- You may quit.
- You may become obsessed with perfectionism.
- You may procrastinate by putting tasks that aren’t so necessary ahead of higher priority tasks that can grow your business.
- You might make up excuses.
Why Would You Fear Success?
Most of you are simply afraid of change. The brain doesn’t like something unpredictable. It can cause you to make excuses and procrastinate. Eventually, you will miss out on the opportunity that has arisen. Reasons you might have this fear are as follows:
- You lack confidence and don’t feel worthy.
- You have memories of something telling you that you don’t deserve happiness or success.
- You may fear the loss of friends.
- You’re worried you’ll put yourself in a situation you don’t know how to handle.
- You may be uncomfortable with the attention.
- You’re afraid of the extra work and more pressure.
- You’re worried about the expectations others may have of you.
- You don’t want to get your hopes up in case of failure.
6 tips to help you fight the fear
1. Ask yourself what would happen if you did succeed
Think about the neutral, positive, and negative. Be real about where you are and think of the consequences for not allowing yourself the opportunity to succeed. When you’re just letting those ruminating thoughts run through your mind, it can become overwhelming. Reflecting and writing everything down can help you really see what your limiting beliefs are and how they hold you back.
2. Get rid of the doubt
Whatever it is you are fearing and doubting within yourself, it’s time to take a minute here. Write down your accomplishments and give yourself a pep talk. Think about past changes and how you’ve grown before. Let these come into your mind and you’ll start to feel less tense about upcoming changes that are for the better.
3. Accept that life is constant change
Whether you allow change or not, you’re going to experience it. You might worry a lot about the “What ifs,” but it isn’t helping you get to where you want to be. You can’t control things or stop change from coming. You might as well take advantage of the change that can greatly benefit your business.
4. Fashion yourself after those qualities of a successful person
Is there someone you look up to in the business world? Describe their characteristics. You might look to someone like Anthony Robbins or Elon Musk. Maybe they get up at the crack of dawn and meditate. What are their priorities? How do they self-talk even when they’re nervous? Keep a list of the characteristics and review them when you’re doubting yourself.
5. Accept setback
This is the natural order of things. It doesn’t happen to bad people solely. Setbacks are a part of moving forward. Many of the greatest people on earth have experienced setbacks but kept persisting. Many of the most successful people will tell you they had to fail a lot before they succeeded. Any setbacks are an opportunity to learn more.
6. Enjoy the ride
It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. This is one of my favorite quotes and I use it for my life. You might not be “there” yet but enjoy the journey as you go. Enjoy the new habits you curate. Take the steps and enjoy the moments of little successes. Take everything slowly but be consistent. You’ll be surprised at the progress and changes you make. Stay positive and grateful.
As you go through the motions of trying to get past your fear, there will likely be a lot of self-reflection. Sometimes it can be hard but it’s all worth it. These strategies will help you in business but they can also help for the rest of your life.
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