Is It Possible That You Fear Success?
It’s counterintuitive to think of someone being fearful of success, but it happens a lot, especially to entrepreneurs. Many of us are wired to fear our own success. Why is that? It may be that achieving that success takes us out of our comfort zone or simply puts us in an unfamiliar situation. (Staying in our comfort zone was a survival technique way back in the caveman days.)
However, letting fear sabotage your plans can be detrimental to you and your business, especially since conducting business isn’t a matter of life and death.
Here are a few tips to help you overcome the fear of success once and for all:
Be a “big picture” person.
Many entrepreneurs feel paralyzed with fear when they look at every minuscule detail of a potential business or even a particular project. Some of the most successful business owners of our time have done the exact opposite to avoid this feeling. Instead of concentrating on minute details, they concentrate on the big picture. They concentrate on the good that will come from it. They know that the small details can be taken care of at the right time.
It is impossible to be familiar with every aspect of a business or project (and by next week it will change anyway). You can ask for help and advice when the time comes to complete each task. Many tasks can be outsourced.
You want to do your homework and be smart about business decisions, but often you have to take a leap of faith and just begin. Focus on the “big picture” of what you want to achieve and don’t stop.
Give yourself a break.
We all have times when we’re scared or feel vulnerable. It’s important not to let these emotions stop you. See them for what they are–a temporary feeling. Like most things, they will pass! Tell yourself that you may be a little fearful of a certain task or phase in your business but that it can be overcome.
It’s not that successful, rich people don’t ever feel scared or afraid. They feel it, but then they do the task anyway.
Be kind to yourself. Concentrate on your successes and good points and I promise you will achieve your goals.
Ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that can happen?”
This simple question can help you overcome the fear of many situations. In the big scheme of things, what is actually the worst thing that could happen if you ventured into the unknown? This is that caveman mentality trying to make us stay where life is “safe.”
After asking this question you will realize that things aren’t as bad or as hard as we’re imagining. Our minds have a way of dramatizing certain events. Stop yourself from falling into this trap by facing your worst-case scenario head on.
The fear of success is a real issue for many entrepreneurs, and sometimes those thoughts and feelings are etched deep into our belief system. But with a little time, perseverance and especially ACTION, you will enjoy success and relish the moments when something good comes out of your hard work and dedication.
If this resonates with you, please tweet it and comment below!
P.S. If you’re just getting started with internet marketing and you’re AFRAID 
— check out my last post, See over 32 Marketing Necessities In Renegade University In This Video. It’s fun, easy, not at all scary and will help you be more successful in any business.
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This is really good stuff! People usually only talk about fearing failure. Very few people would even consider the fact that they may fear success! It does seem counter-intuitive, but it makes so much sense! You’re right, it’s more the fear of the unknown than anything. Keep up the good work!
Jeremy Z.
Jeremy,
I never thought I had a fear of success until I realized that success consisted of the unknown and change. Then it made a lot more sense, for me personally and to understand why other people may feel this way.
thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!
Kari
What we fear most is Failure. But Success is made up of our failures. I like your approach Kari. Good Post.
Hi Nelson, that’s so true–that success is made up of failures. We tend to forget that and try our hardest to avoid failure. Instead we should try to FAIL FAST!
Thank you for sharing!
Kari
Yes, people are afraid to get out of their comfort zone. In my niche as a network marketer, I see it everyday. People will have different excuses for not doing things. Some of these excuses are I don’t want my friends to see me advertising my business on Faceboook. I don’t want to set up a blog until I understand every detail. We need to earn why we learn. I made my share of mistakes but still manage to create a following. Keep up the great articles. I will be back to learn more.
Have a great day!
Dave Steffensmeier
Yes, they often are excuses, but sometimes they seem so valid!
Writing them down or saying them out loud puts them into proper perspective and helps us move on. It’s SO crucial to earn while we learn, as you said. There really is no other way–if you wait until everything is “ready” you’ll never begin and never earn!
Thanks Dave for those comments!
Hey Kari,
great article you nailed the point right on the head.
Sometimes people just need to channel that fear to create energy.
Keep up the great work
Chris
Hi
I totally agree with everything that has been said and it’s really good to have this written down so that it comes into our awareness.
Here’s another reason why, I believe, people fear success.
Many of us are brought up to believe that rich people are bad people. Here are some of the common things that we are told:
Rich people are only interested in making money
Rich people are ruthless
Rich people don’t care about anyone and they will cheat, lie or do anything to make money.
Rich people would ‘sell their own Granny’ to make a fast buck.
Money corrupts people.
Money is dirty
Money is the root of all evil.
I’m sure you can think of others.
So here is the subconscious message that we deduce from all that.
“If I make lots of money, I will become one of those bad people” or
“If I make loads of money, others will THINK I’ve become one of those bad people and my friends and family will reject me”
These are powerful limiting beliefs because, the very people we don’t want to disapprove of us are often the people who gave us the ‘rich is bad’ messages in the first place.
There can also be identity issues involved because we often ‘become’ our financial status.
“I am rich” or “I am poor” as opposed to “I have a lot/little money”.
Therefore, to have a lot of money when “we are poor” conflicts with who we are.
It’s a bit like a smoker or drinker who quits and, consequently, has no mates because smoking or drinking was the common thread that kept them together and that they all identified with.
I guess it links in with ‘the tribe’ idea that Katie has cleverly developed.
Some of us were fortunate enough to be encouraged to ‘reach for the stars’ and ‘follow our dreams’ but, for many of us, this is not the case.
I apologise for this getting a bit in depth and heavy but if people have these beliefs, and they may not have even realised it, they will find it’s a bit like trying to move forwards with the parking brake on.
My personal favourite method for dealing with stuff like this is an energy therapy such as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) It’s quick, relatively simple and effective. Although just being aware of the issue may be enough to resolve it.
I hope this extra slant on the ‘fear of success’ may be helpful to someone.
Steve
Hi Steve,
Thank you for that addition to the fear of success discussion! I appreciate you adding those things.
Our programming on money definitely affects our attitudes and actions today. I like how you said the very people we don’t want to disapprove of us are the people who gave us the “rich is bad” messages in the first place. So ironic!
These are very good points to be aware of and work on reprogramming. I like Eker’s “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind”. I’ve heard a little about EFT, but haven’t studied it or tried it yet. Does it take a lot of practice? How long did it take you to see results?
Thanks again for adding to the discussion!
Kari