Written by One wonders why most of the world gravitates to mediocrity. The graveyard is littered with people who gave the excuse that life became too hard and it was just easier to settle and complain. The complaints followed them to the grave, regret becoming one of their last thoughts. Oddly enough, many people fear succeeding more than failing because they do not believe they can meet or surpass their achievements. Some believe that they cannot achieve more lofty goals. Some small businesses never grow to their potential because the owner has become satisfied with incremental growth and does not want to risk what they presently have for the opportunity to scale up. There is a scientific term for this phenomenon. A September 30, 2020, article in Healthline labeled this fear as success anxiety, success phobia, or even achievemephobia, all fancy derivatives of the same concept of the fear of success.
The Journal of Educational Research discussed a study conducted in a 2018 article on fear of success. The writer said, “Fear of negative outcomes of success is the most important determinant in the emergence of fear of success.” (Yilmaz) It amazes many people that this fear exists, but it does explain why there aren’t more successful people worldwide. The article further explains, “Individuals who perceive the consequences of being successful as a threat reveal fear of success as a result of the anxiety to confront this threat.” (Yilmaz) Many desire success until they are close to getting it. Self-sabotage, lack of belief, and procrastination become tools that some use to justify their lack of achievement. An article on the website Verywellmind.com talks about some of these tactics. The writer, Kendra Cherry, specifically talks about self-sabotage. She said, “The fear of success involves being afraid of achievement, often to the point that people will sabotage themselves.”
When something fails, those that fear success do not want to point to their inactions as the reason. Instead, the choice is to blame some other factor that may be a contributor but is not the reason. In essence, those who do fear their success may attempt to justify their fears by pointing towards the difficulties of the task or attempting to rationalize their fears by telling themselves and others that they almost made it or gave it “the good college try,” which was good enough.
Very often, the voices of doubt creep in when the desire to achieve a goal is met with the fear of achieving the goal. At times, some do not know that they are doing it. Again, they choose the belief that the fear of success is not just a phobia; they want to make it a fact. When one rationalizes shortcomings or lets the fear become a reality that results in failing, you have successfully blocked any future progress.
One must ask themselves, “Why am I not succeeding.” Do not confuse failing to succeed with a lack of desire to achieve the goal. These are two different matters. One obstacle must be overcome by seeking a solution to the problem, while the other becomes the excuse not to turn desires into realities. We should want to be successful, but the added responsibilities are one reason for fear of success. The added responsibilities frighten some. Knowing it was a challenge to achieve a certain level allowed them to believe that maintaining it would be another difficulty, even if they reached the goal. Maintenance is a task, but it should not be the reason for fear of success. Caroline Castrillion of Forbes magazine wrote an article highlighting ten reasons for fear of success. Her list was interesting because each fear was an excuse not to succeed. The list included:
- Fear of losing self- One fears the possibility of success changing them.
- Fear of backlash- Fear of social or relational repercussions. Fearing that as you become more successful, you enter a new social circle or lose touch with old ones.
- Fear of not being good enough-Suffering imposter syndrome.
- Fear of criticism- Being afraid of the comments of others.
- Fear of the spotlight-Being afraid of being the center of attention.
- Fear of change- Learning to accept the reality that change is tantamount to success.
- Fear of losing friends- As you elevate, one must see the value of relationships and determine which ones do and do not serve the purpose of catering to the success desired.
- Fear of working nonstop- As one grows, the fear that additional responsibilities will keep one constantly focused on work.
- Fear of feeling the excitement- Nervousness and excitement share similar qualities. It is the feeling of riding a roller coaster. The fear and excitement are simultaneous emotions during the ride, equal to climbing the ladder of success.
The fear of becoming successful is almost as stressful as the fear of failure. Many people attempt to walk that tightrope between the two. The definitive goal is not to be branded a failure; it is fear of their desires in many cases. It is the strangest dichotomy to fear a desire. That is precisely what fear of success is. Many people want to be successful. Those who broadcast not wanting to be have already chosen not to seek it. They are justifying failure in their mind, even before attempting it.
The thought process will guarantee failure because one holds those beliefs. Eventually, the views morph into convictions. Humans want to be right in their thoughts, so once they believe they cannot achieve something, they will do everything they can to validate their convictions. Self-sabotage is one route people take to see their thoughts of failure become the truth they believe. Justification for actions that cater to failed attempts is another. After a person sabotages themselves, they immediately want to justify their reasons for doing so.
Instead of admitting that fear was the driver of their sabotage, they will blame some action that, as I said, may have contributed but is in no way the reason. The acts of self-sabotage, procrastination, or lack of self-belief always lay at the feet of the person committing them. To combat those attempts, simply agreeing with oneself that moving forward is what must be done. The fear of regret will be much scarier, and that fear will become a reality if the choice is not to continue or make it happen. Confidence and realizing that failing is possible as one climbs the ladder during their ascent, but it is not a death sentence. This attitude will help diminish the fears that may arise.
Doing something new or taking something that has been working to another level often comes with varying degrees of discomfort. One must understand that they have been given the idea and must now create the opportunity. Also, realize they did what it took to get to the point where it can succeed. To unravel what has already taken so long to come to fruition, it needs to be evaluated. Why is one allowing fear of success to keep them in a place of familiarity? One is already aware of what that brings. It is either to reside in the “been there done that” position or make the scary, challenging, demanding, and life-altering decision to make it work and eventually become proud of your efforts.
You agreed to go to the next level because you desire to improve. Success becomes the byproduct of those desires. Realize that the fear is the mind’s way of telling you that you are changing. The mind does not like change until it is comfortable with the change. Fear is an indication that you are on the right path. Do not let fear of success pull you back or stagnate your progress. You have worked too hard to get to where you are. Do not be the person responsible for your lack of success. Do not let fears of success result in realizations of failure.