Are You Scared Of Success? Here's What This Phobia Hides

Last updated by Katie M.

Amid the fear of failing hides another fear that is less often spoken about, and that's the fear of succeeding. Doing well isn’t necessarily the key to happiness, that’s why there may be times when we fear it. Although it might seem strange, when we start to achieve our personal goals, we open ourselves up to a wave of new emotions that aren't exactly always easy to deal with. When we are caught off guard by our results, we often go into panic mode and struggle with this concept, however that's not to say we should let this hold us back.

Are You Scared Of Success? Here's What This Phobia Hides

Why is success frightening?

Although some people are willing to do anything to get to the top and realize their objectives, this is certainly not the case for everyone. Just like failure, success can disrupt life and disturb our tranquility.

1. Because you have to go down an unfamiliar route

It’s rare for prosperity to be achieved within our daily lives. It’s often the result of time-consuming work that has to be carried out off the beaten track. To accomplish things, you have to surprise and be surprised. It’s impossible to rest on your laurels, and this isn’t easy to do. Stepping out your comfort zone requires strength and energy, something we don’t always have.

How can I accept this promotion if it will take me away from my office, from my colleagues? Why should I embark upon this project if I risk losing time and money? Success sometimes requires big changes that might scare us.

>>> You might find this article interesting: So what if I hate working?

2. Because we’re ashamed

Accomplishing new feats inevitably involves being put center stage. Not everyone can stand being put in this position, especially when personal achievements are often frowned upon and act as a source of envy and suspicion. But that’s not all. It’s not uncommon for some women to carry out self-sabotage, fearing they might be more successful than their partner and outshine them. Many are also scared of succeeding and outperforming their family members, especially their parents. Psychologically, it’s not easy for everyone to reach a position higher than that of their parents. In some families, it’s not even readily accepted. So in order to not feel excluded, it’s common to shy away from being a high achiever.

Scared of success

Lack of self-confidence is often linked to the fear of achieving amazing things. Am I capable of pulling this off? Am I up to the task? Am I going to manage? By repeating these questions to ourselves, we prevent ourselves from making progress along the path of glory.

3. Because failure is more painful

Once at the top, falling will be harder and more painful. This apprehension is sometimes the cause of fearing achievements. After pulling off a great feat, we are often scared that everything will stop and that we will fail once again, which will feel more even more brutal. These negative thoughts have a significant impact on us and drag us away from the path of greatness. You have to understand that life is full of ups and downs, and so fearing failure means fearing success. They go hand in hand.

>>> Read up on; Is working with your partner a good or bad idea?

Why can’t I handle failure?

The first step in overcoming your fear of failure is to tell yourself that you will fail in every case. You don't have to be afraid of something that is inevitable and will surely happen or recur over time. It is almost impossible to get it right the first time, even the people you admire most or who have made a mark with their success will tell you that. To be successful, you have to go from failure to failure, learn from your mistakes, and correct your course until you get what you want. You have to be patient and learn to put things into perspective. If you accept the idea that failure is inevitable, you can focus your energy on your projects and not on trying to control your fear of failure.

Failure is inevitable

Tell yourself that failure is only a temporary state. After a failure, you must bounce back and start again to conquer your ultimate goal. Failure can teach you a lot about yourself and help you realize things that you would not have noticed otherwise and that could have spoiled your future success. It is also important to put things into perspective: tell yourself that this failure can help you make a new start, and that you may have gone down the wrong path. Reconsider your motivations, but always follow your passions no matter what. To keep things in perspective, you can also make a list of all the different scenarios that could have happened. The one that actually happened is not so bad after all! Stay optimistic and positive in all circumstances. Or almost.

Gain confidence in yourself

The best way to overcome the fear of failure is to have confidence in yourself. Foremost, you have to define your goals and remain realistic. Perhaps you are afraid of failure because deep down you know that the goals you have set are almost impossible. Refocus on your strengths and qualities and make the right decisions. Don't hesitate to ask for advice from people who have succeeded in the same type of initiative. To strengthen your self-confidence, don't hesitate to prepare yourself for failure. This way you will have already anticipated the worst and will know exactly where you are going and what to do if failure occurs.

How do I overcome the fear of success?

The solution is to set up a strategy for success, here you can be accompanied by a coach who will guide you on this path, bring out the best in you and give you confidence. You can also acquire the skills you lack, legitimize your know-how, and move forward step by step. The important thing is to always keep in mind your successes, no matter how small, and even your failures because they help you grow. A failure is only really a failure when you do not tirelessly repeat your actions until you achieve success. Think of athletes or politicians, this is how they act all the time. You can do it too, and above all, never give up!

Editor's Advice – Look out for avoidance strategies

We are still not conscious of our fear of achievement. It is sometimes hiding in small behaviors that we have, which are in fact avoidance strategies we put in place. Procrastination, perfectionism, only being able to see problems, avoiding unknown situations are all self-control behaviors that cover up our fear of succeeding.

🤗 Understand yourself, accept yourself, be happy... Let’s do it here and now!

#BornToBeMe

More great content:

Article presented by Katie M.

🌻 Discover the world through my eyes.

Read our latest articles here:

Are Narcissists Born Or Made? - Let's Settle The Debate

There you have it, the nature vs nurture debate is back, only this time I want to focus it on those deviously manipulative personalities we refer to as narcissists. Now, evidently these folks get bad press and rightly so because they are often at the root of plenty of harm, but is it really their fault? Can they really be blamed for their terrifying and perhaps inherent traits, or are they simply just products and in this case victims of their environments? Let’s settle this debate once and for all and figure out how and when this disorder becomes apparent. So, are you born a narcissist or is it developed?

Standing Up To A Narcissist Is Possible If You Follow These 9 Steps

If you’re anything like me, you’re no doubt sick of being manipulated and humiliated by the narcissistic vampires that surround you. Enough is enough! The time has come for you to stand up for yourself! No matter who is making you feel bad about yourself; you need to flip the tables and take back the power. Psychological abuse has deep and lasting impacts, but turning the page and moving on is the healthiest thing any victim can do. Here are 9 essential tips on how you can defend yourself against a narcissistic pervert.

Am I Too Demanding Of My Partner And Too Tough On Him?

Excessive expectations, intense routines and warped images of relationships often make our love stories difficult to manage and maintain. A relationship is one of life’s greatest balancing acts and requires compromises to be made regularly. In short, one cannot be too demanding or severe with their partner if they want a smooth sailing union. Being so tough is a way of testing our partner's feelings for us, yet this can lead to extremely toxic behavior. Although, thanks to our tips, you'll know how to turn things around.

Female Masturbation

That’s right, masturbation isn’t exclusively reserved for men, and us girls can enjoy the benefits of this practice too. It may seem like a very taboo subject, although over time it is becoming more and more talked about online, but that’s not to say that women feel comfortable with the idea… Many women run away from this pleasure and refuse to take care of themselves because they feel a cocktail of shame, fear, and embarrassment. Masturbation is all about self-care and making love to your body, and it’s one that no one should feel too guilty to practice.

Who Do Narcissists Target?

If reading up on narcissists terrifies you, you probably already realize how dangerous their toxic personalities can be. Although, that being said, I’m probably going to add to the list of reasons as to why you should be ultra wary of these abusers, by revealing who they prey on. One thing that can be said about narcissists is that they certainly aren’t predictable people! 😱 Plus, spoiler alert, they don’t necessarily always choose to emotionally abuse seemingly weak people, no, in fact, they often choose bigger fish to fry because they love a challenge. Discover the types of personalities they hone in on and why.

Overinflated Ego

“No, but in any case, I’m better than you.” Honestly, who likes hearing this kind of sentence? Sometimes, it’s not put so bluntly, but clearly, if we read between the lines, that’s what is meant. An overinflated ego is what defines a megalomaniac, along with a need to put yourself before others… Dealing with a megalomaniac isn’t easy, especially when it’s a daily occurrence! So, if you want a peaceful life, discover the true meaning of this disorder, and follow our tips to making this relationship just that little more bearable.

Should You Really Confess Your Feelings?

Who hasn’t had a crush in their life? You know, it’s when you fall for someone and have feelings for them even though you don’t really know them. I’m one of those people who have had lots of crushes, and sometimes I’ve even admitted my feelings. In fact, a recent example was just before I started my relationship with my current partner. I offloaded what I was feeling all of a sudden… I’ll tell you why I did it and how to go about it.

How Does A Narcissist React When They Can't Control You? 10 Things They Do

You probably know by now that narcissists only ever look for one thing and one thing only; and that’s control! Whether in their personal or professional life, folks with this personality disorder need to be in the driving seat and the one calling the shots, otherwise all hell breaks loose. 😨 Although their cunning and manipulative nature means they are often hard to escape, it is still possible to turn the tables on them and take the upper hand. Yet, you’ll need a thick skin to do so because when they feel their power slipping away, they become even more dangerous and abusive; here’s how they react when that happens.

I Still Suck My Thumb As An Adult

In general, thumb sucking ends around the age of 6. I say “in general” and not “normally”, because as an adult I don’t feel weird or particularly bothered by it. When I get stressed, I allow myself to let go and return to my childhood self by sucking my thumb. Those who know about it or catch me by surprise make me realize I should be ashamed… But is this habit a big deal? What if it makes me feel better? It’s certainly no worse than lighting up a cigarette or biting your nails…

Are Narcissists Lonely?

Loneliness is one of society’s biggest enemies, and none of us are exempt from it, not even the most devilish of narcissists out there. In fact, throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, 36% of Americans claimed that they have never felt lonelier, which sets a scary benchmark for the wider population 😔. Now, lots of us would no doubt immediately assume that narcissists are too independent and strong-willed to feel alone, however, the truth is they are often the biggest victims of loneliness, yet simply have trouble expressing their inner malaise.



Wengood's favorite tunes 🎵

Wengood's playlist

wengood

  1. Only LoveBen Howard
    4:08
  2. Invalid date
  3. Fix YouColdplay
    4:55
  4. Beautiful DayU2
    4:08
  5. Thinking out LoudEd Sheeran
    4:41
  6. White FlagDido
    4:00
  7. Lay Me DownSam Smith
    4:13
  8. Nine Million BicyclesKatie Melua
    3:17
  9. Put Your Records OnCorinne Bailey Rae
    3:35
  10. Summertime SadnessLana Del Rey
    4:24
  11. Imagine - Remastered 2010John Lennon
    3:07
  12. Shake It OutFlorence + The Machine
    4:37
  13. Space Oddity - Love You Til Tuesday versionDavid Bowie
    3:46
  14. What A Wonderful WorldLouis Armstrong
    2:17
  15. With Or Without YouU2
    4:56
  16. HelloAdele
    4:55
  17. Don't Stop Me NowQueen
    3:29
  18. Skinny LoveBirdy
    3:21
  19. WingsBirdy
    4:12
  20. Californian SoilLondon Grammar
    3:41

How to detect a narcissist

How to detect a narcissist

How to soothe an anxiety attack

How to soothe an anxiety attack