Fear of Success Explained

Here’s something that might surprise you: A fear of success isn’t literally about dreading success. It's more about the anxiety that comes when you achieve something, such as the added pressure or responsibilities accompanying a promotion or new job.

Even if you’re one of the most diligent, intelligent, and conscientious people, it’s not uncommon to fear success and grapple with significantly related anxiety.

Experiencing a fear of success can often be an isolating and embarrassing struggle–you might feel ashamed about it and keep it hidden, leaving you feeling even more alone. But fear can persist and intensify when we avoid confronting it. Whatever the root cause of a fear of success may be, many of us inadvertently act in ways that perpetuate it.

TL/DR: The Signs

If you suffer from a fear of success, your first step is to pinpoint where it might be coming from and recognize that there may be a valid backstory. That can help dispel any shame and kickstart your journey toward meaningful change.

Here are a few tactics people use—even subconsciously—to avoid success:

• Turning down major projects or opportunities to steer clear of potential accomplishments.
  

• Dodging compliments or praise by swiftly shifting the conversation to the other person.
  

• Subconsciously sabotaging their efforts—for instance, by arriving late or delivering subpar work—to escape recognition.
  

• Surrounding themselves with individuals who don't challenge them or push them towards self-improvement.

Top 8 Reasons You've Got a Fear of Success

Read this to uncover the hidden reasons why success scares you.

Sol Bites: Reframe Success

Developing a habit of reflection and journaling about your fear of success will help you gain (sometimes surprising) insights into your behavior.

Set aside 10 minutes, grab a notebook or some scratch paper, and jot down thoughts about your fear of success. 

• What are your earliest memories or experiences related to this fear? Reflect on those experiences.

• Who was involved? 

• How did it make you feel?

• Recall any times when you avoided doing something that would have led to success and what you did. 

Aim to do this a few times over a week or two and see what you come up with.

Once you’ve identified how and why you shy away from success-related situations, it’s time to face those challenges head-on. 

Here’s how to start:

Remember, this work involves playing the long game—start small, create tiny wins, and gradually build your confidence. Retraining your brain is a marathon, not a sprint. If you’ve spent years or even decades nurturing a fear of success, it will take time to rebuild your mental framework. But with patience and consistent effort, you can show your brain that success doesn’t necessarily equate to pain.

Video Bite

Sol TV Creator, Melissa Impett dives into two fears: One from intuition and one from trying something new.

Do these fears hold you back? She shares her journey of stepping out of her comfort zone and the excitement that comes with it.

Words of Wisdom

Along the Same Lines…

We love you,
Mona & The Sol TV Team ❤️

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