Having a fear of success sounds crazy. After all, we set goals, make vision boards and yearn deeply to accomplish amazing things, contribute to the world at large and better care for our loved ones. Yet, sometimes our goals remain elusive. One reason just might be a mindset saboteur called “fear of success” and it can easily be addressed but not if it isn’t first acknowledged.
To find out if that funny little “fear of success” sabotage mechanism might be tripping you up, take this little self-assessment to help you find out if you’re a victim of its sneaky sabotage. Let’s do this!
Discovery Questions: Do You Fear Success?
Do you often downplay your accomplishments or avoid taking credit for your successes?
A) Yes, frequently
B) Occasionally
C) Rarely
Do you feel anxious or uncomfortable when you are recognized for your achievements?
A) Yes, frequently
B) Occasionally
C) Rarely
Do you struggle to set high goals for yourself and hesitate to strive for success?
A) Yes, frequently
B) Occasionally
C) Rarely
Do you find yourself sabotaging your own success by procrastinating, making excuses, or avoiding taking action?
A) Yes, frequently
B) Occasionally
C) Rarely
Do you feel guilt or shame when you achieve success, even if it was hard-earned?
A) Yes, frequently
B) Occasionally
C) Rarely
Do you have a negative self-image and believe that success is not meant for you?
A) Yes, frequently
B) Occasionally
C) Rarely
Scoring: Give yourself one point for each “A” answer, two points for each “B” answer, and three points for each “C” answer.
6 or fewer points: You likely have a healthy relationship with success and do not have a fear of success.
7-12 points: You may have some fear of success and could benefit from exploring and addressing these fears.
13 or more points: You may have a strong fear of success and may benefit from professional support to overcome it.
Please note, this quiz is not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. If you believe you may have a strong fear of success, it may be helpful to seek help from a mental health professional. They can help you work through these fears and support you on your path to success.
How did you do? Did you discover a little bit of fear in there? Don’t despair! It’s a normal thing and with a little effort, this dream stealer can be locked out for good.
I know because I have spent the past year replacing the fear of success with empowering thoughts and actions so I know it can be done.
Here are My Top Five Self-Care Ideas to Help You Overcome a Fear of Success:
- Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that fear is a natural part of growth. Treat yourself with compassion and understanding as you navigate your fears and insecurities. Remind yourself that it’s okay to make mistakes and that success doesn’t have to be perfect, in fact, perfect isn’t in the definition of success at all. I tell myself, “Action over perfection. Action over perfection.” Action wins every time.
- Journaling and Reflection: Take time for self-reflection through journaling. Explore your fears of success and the underlying beliefs that may be holding you back. Write down your thoughts and emotions, and use this process to gain clarity and uncover any limiting beliefs you may have about your own success. Once I uncover a limiiting belief, I write an empowering belief that I read over and over again. Limiting beliefs are lies and the truth sets us free. Here’s one I uncovered yesterday along with its replacement statement. Lie: “I can’t quite make it.” Replacement truth: “I do the little extra that pushes me over the edge to success.”
- Seek Support: Reach out to a trusted friend, mentor, or coach who can provide guidance and support. Share your fears and concerns with them, and let them offer a fresh perspective or help you develop strategies to overcome your fear of success. Surrounding yourself with a supportive network can make a significant difference. I have a group of peers that give needed support and I pay for a coach because it forces me to be honest with myself and check in regularly with my mindset.
- Visualization and Affirmations: Use the power of visualization and positive affirmations to reframe your mindset. Visualize yourself achieving success and embodying the confidence and capabilities needed to thrive. Repeat affirmations that reinforce your belief in your abilities and worthiness of success. And remember, the effectiveness of these techniques is in direct proportion to the amount of emotion you can imagine as you are visualizing and affirming.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Break down your goals into smaller milestones and celebrate each accomplishment along the way. By acknowledging and celebrating your progress, you build confidence and reinforce positive associations with success. Celebrating small wins also helps you maintain motivation and momentum. Small is HUGE. Ask yourself, “What is the smallest step I can successfully take right now?” Identify it and do it. Celebrate. Repeat.
Remember, overcoming the fear of success is a process, and it’s essential to be patient and gentle with yourself. Self-care plays a crucial role in nurturing your emotional well-being and building resilience as you confront your fears.
I know that if you will use and embrace these self-care ideas as tools to support your journey towards overcoming your fear of success that you will most certainly unlock your true potential.
You’ve got this!
XO,
MaryLyn
Hi! I’m MaryLyn and I help busy people with next steps for better health using the latest breakthroughs in biohacking.
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