Seems odd doesn’t it? The American Dream, having power, respect among your peers, and everything that comes with achieving success. Who in their right mind would be afraid of success?
You may be struck down by the idea of success and be holding yourself back without even realizing it. The only way to know is to look at the signs and see if you recognize them in yourself.
According to Psychology Today,
Achieving lasting change, and getting what you really want in life, takes a sustained vision of the future. That vision serves not just as an ongoing source of motivation to get there, it helps you identify and tackle the obstacles that have held you back until now.
Fear is Powerful
In fact, it is one of the most paralyzing tools we use against ourselves, often without even realizing it. Fear can debilitate you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Many times what holds so many back is the fear of failure. Fear of failure keeps you from achieving your dreams, because you are afraid to let yourself try.
The reality is, your definition of failure may not be the same as the next person’s. What you perceive as failure, should instead be a learning experience.
Many people are paralyzed by past experiences they characterized as fails. Instead, try analyzing the experience, looking at what went wrong, what can be improved, and apply that to the next opportunity.
Recognizing the Signs of Fear
- A fear of accepting challenging opportunities.
- Self sabotage in the form of procrastination, anxiety, and refusing to follow through.
- Feeling inadequate and unable to perform at the same level as your teammates.
- Guilt about the possibility of succeeding where friends and family do not.
- Hiding the accomplishments you do have.
- Feeling undeserving of your accomplishments and success.
Arming yourself with the knowledge to understand what fear of success is, and whether or not it applies to you, is the first step in understanding how to find help and to change your life for the better. How many of these signs do you recognize in your own life?
