Are You Fearing to Succeed?

#Wednesday Takeaway

The fear of failure is an interesting concept. Why do we fear failure so much and allow it to fester deep in our minds? Why don’t we embrace its lingering shadow as our friend instead of hiding from it?

The fear of failure is an inevitable part of the human experience, which when you think about it this way, makes it oddly comforting. Since you’ve already heard about the fear of failure, have you thought about the fear of success?

As achieving success should bring about positive feelings, it may sound contradictory to associate fear with it. Success often brings change and this can trigger anxiety, as we tend to be creatures of habit who find comfort in our routines. We may experience worry and anxiety about maintaining that success or feeling empty after. We often hesitate to step into the unknown, even if it’s the best path forward.

 Imagine someone who wants to compete in a running marathon. They train for months, eat a specific diet, and build stamina all while envisioning the thrill of crossing the running finish line. But what happens next when the goal is reached? This fear of success stems from the uncertainty about what comes next and the loss of identity that can come with achieving a long-term goal.

Our ego can recognize this fear and try to sabotage our progress. The harder we push ourselves to achieve our goals, the more resistance we'll encounter. We can’t simply stop pursuing our goals.

A way to move forward can be to build small and manageable goals within our bigger goal. This can make the journey enjoyable and detract from the sole focus of reaching the destination. If we can find joy in every step along the way of achieving our goals, without being too attached to them, we can reduce the resistance we encounter.

Another way to overcome our fear of success is to face it directly. We can tune into the physical sensations of fear and uncertainty that arise when we imagine achieving our goals. This can be achieved through visualization exercises. As you visualize your goals, try to notice the physical reactions that occur simultaneously. Pay attention to changes in your heart rate, breathing patterns, or any sensations of discomfort. By exploring these sensations and imagining ourselves facing the unknown, we can prepare ourselves for what comes next.

Of course, if the fear of success persists and is noticeably interrupting your daily life by hindering your way to success, one should consider seeking a therapist.

It is important to recognize that life is forever moving and that your life does not stop or become empty when you succeed. To acknowledge that the longer we avoid something, the more difficult it becomes to face. Rather than allowing fear to prevent us from achieving success, it's important to realize and embrace the discomfort that comes with change. By doing so, we can cultivate resilience and overcome the fear of success.

To make your day a little sweeter, here’s a brunch image sent by a lovely subscriber Chloe.