Fear Of Succeeding – 5 Ways To Overcome A Fear Of Success
Do you have a fear of succeeding? No worries! Here are 5 perfect ways to effectively overcome your fear of success (sooner rather than later).
Now I know it may seem crazy but many people are actually afraid of success.
Yes, success and they are actually afraid.
In fact, most people are intimidated by any change, whether it’s positive or negative.
Though it seems silly to be afraid of making more money, getting in better shape, or improving your public speaking skills, this is really a common affliction.
The only thing you have to fear more than failure is success.
It’s like Marianne Williamson once so wisely said:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate
Our deepest fear is that we are more powerful beyond measure.
It is light, not our darkness that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually who are you not to be?
The truth is if you want greater success, you will need to minimize your fear of success.
The key to effectively dealing with this fear is the same as dealing with any other: attack it from multiple angles.
Consider these ideas to defeat your fear of success:
FEAR OF SUCCEEDING TIP
1 – Expand your performance ceiling.
We have an internal comfort level for different areas of our life.
You stay where you’re comfortable.
Accomplishing something bigger and better is easier if you can feel comfortable thinking about it.
- We might feel comfortable at 190 pounds, but the mere idea of being lean at 170 pounds just doesn’t feel right.
- Making $50,000 a year feels about right, but the idea of earning $200,000 makes your stomach unsettled.
- Maybe you feel comfortable dating someone with average looks, but your palms sweat when you think about dating a “10.”
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Imagine what you want to accomplish and just relax your shoulders.
- Do this for a few minutes each day. Keep at it until it becomes natural and familiar. It takes some time to ease into the possibility of this new reality.
FEAR OF SUCCEEDING TIP
2 – Reject the criticism of others.
One of our fears revolves around the opinions of others.
We fear what they’ll think or say if we’re successful.
In general, people don’t like change.
You instinctively know that some people will struggle with your success.
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Realize that this is the other person’s issue.
Anyone that isn’t happy for your success might not deserve a place in your life.
This can be a good test to determine whom you want to keep in your life.
Be successful and notice how people react.
The people who sincerely love you will support you.
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If you become more successful, you’re going to lose a few people and gain a few.
This is true whether you switch from watching baseball to football, switch religions, change salaries, or change hobbies.
Create the life you desire, and the right people will come along.
Always expect that that will happen.
FEAR OF SUCCEEDING TIP
3 – Embrace failure.
Afraid of failing?
Why?
You’ll undoubtedly fail at least a few times as you achieve success.
The quicker you fail, the quicker you’ll find success.
Believe that and this fear becomes insignificant over time.
FEAR OF SUCCEEDING TIP
4 – Accept the responsibility.
Choosing to be successful is a big responsibility.
Most of us avoid responsibility in life.
You’ll have to become responsible for your plans, behavior, and the outcome.
This isn’t so scary when you realize the other option is luck.
Take control of your life.
It is your life to live!
FEAR OF SUCCEEDING TIP
5 – See yourself as successful.
Visualize yourself being successful. Do this each day, every single day.
The more you can see yourself being successful, the more comfortable it becomes.
Make this a habit that you do first thing in the morning and last thing at night, without fail.
Honestly I cannot overestimate how powerful this exercise can be when done regularly.
So in the end, it is up to you.
Are you currently feeling stuck because you’re afraid of success?
Don’t worry.
You aren’t alone.
Many others are in the same boat.
The thought of becoming successful is sometimes stressful so most people opt to stick with what they know.
But you don’t have to allow the fear of success to limit the rest of your life.
You can choose to overcome it.
Even if the fear of success might not make sense, that doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
If you’re struggling to take your life to a new level, perhaps a fear of success is standing in your way. If so, do whatever you can to get over it.
To reach your greatest potential you will have to fight your greatest fears.
12 THINGS TO GIVE UP
- Doubting yourself
- Negative thinking
- Fear of failure
- Fear of success
- Criticizing yourself and others
- Negative self-talk
- Procrastination
- People pleasing
- Excuses
- Procrastination
- Judgement of others
- Negative people in your circle
Fear comes in two packages: fear of failure and sometimes fear of success. Tom Kite
The key to success is for you to make a habit throughout your life of doing the things you fear. Vincent Van Gogh
Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the “someday I’ll” philosophy. Dennis Waitley
Being brave isn’t the absence of fear. Being brave is having that fear but finding a way through it. Bear Gyrlls
Fear of success is far more dangerous than fear of failure, because the subconscious mind works to prevent that which it fears.
People may fear success because of low self-esteem and feeling of not deserving it, because it will increase what others expect of them.
Fear of success shows up as anxiety, indecision, avoidance, procrastination or acceptance of mediocrity. Joe Tye
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