ROUND 4! ARE YOU AFRAID TO SUCCEED?

Overcoming the Fear of Success: You're Not Alone, But It's Time to Move Forward

Don't beat yourself up if you're afraid to succeed. You are not alone. But just because fear is common doesn't mean it's okay. Recognizing it is the first step, and that’s where we’ll begin.

So, how do you know if you’re afraid of success? Here's a list of symptoms that may apply to you:

·         Procrastination

·         Perfectionism

·         Avoidance

·         Self-destructive behavior

·         Anxiety

·         Worrying about responsibility

·         Feeling unworthy

·         Imposter syndrome

·         Backlash avoidance

·         Guilt

·         Introversion

·         Lack of motivation

·         Negative experiences

·         Poor self-efficacy

·         Quitting

·         Self-doubt

·         Worrying about others' opinions

Take a moment and reflect on these symptoms. Do any of them resonate with you? If they do, the next step is to dive deeper into why each one applies to your life. The more self-aware you are, the better equipped you’ll be to overcome this fear. And the best part? You don't need to spend thousands of dollars on therapists to figure it out—self-reflection is key.

Why Is This So Important?

For starters, many people don't even realize they're afraid of success. Fear of success often shows up as excuses. I've seen incredibly talented, intelligent people throw away their potential because they were paralyzed by the fear of success. At some point, someone told them they weren’t good enough—and many believed it. They then carried that belief, becoming what they feared most: not good enough.

This is especially common among men who didn’t have a strong father figure. And by “strong father,” I don’t mean physical strength. I mean a father who was there for his family, took care of responsibilities, and modeled what it means to lead with integrity. That takes more strength than any physical feat.

A pattern I see in these men is a sense of entitlement. They’ve never been taught how to work their way up in life, so they expect life to hand them things. The truth is, success doesn’t come easily. You have to grab it. You have to live it. You have to do more than just want it.

Another trait I see is a lack of understanding of respect. When I interview people, I often hear that respect is their top priority. They want respect, but sometimes their behavior doesn’t show that they’ve earned it. Respect isn’t something you're entitled to—it's something you earn. It’s about admiration for someone’s abilities, qualities, or achievements. Here’s the dictionary definition: Respect is a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

When you walk into a job interview dressed casually, sitting slouched, or giving off a "take it or leave it" attitude, what have you done to earn respect?

Respect needs to be earned.

Fear of Success = Fear of Change

I believe the fear of success often boils down to a fear of change. It’s easy to be stuck in the comfort of the familiar, even when you know you want more. You can combine that with laziness, which, at its core, is also a fear of change. Many of us avoid change because we’re scared of the unknown. The idea of working hard for long-term success can seem overwhelming, but here’s the truth: success requires work, and not just the 40-hour workweek. It requires long-term commitment and dedication.

Take Action and Dream Smaller

First things first, what do you want? How do you picture your life? Is it inspired by some unrealistic YouTube video, or is it a grounded, realistic dream? Start by setting smaller, more achievable goals. Instead of aiming for a mansion and a McLaren in a year, focus on building a steady income and positioning yourself for advancement in your current job. It doesn’t have to be glamorous, but it can be fulfilling.

Show up each day, and do your best. When you do this humbly and consistently, people will notice, and you will advance. It takes time, but growth happens with patience and persistence. You won’t be the store manager in 90 days, but you will be recognized for your efforts.

Get Over Your Fears

The only reason to be afraid of success is if, deep down, you don't think you deserve it. But that’s a lie. You’re worth it. Stop holding yourself back because of fear. It's time to move past those doubts and prove the naysayers wrong—not by fighting them, but by showing them with your success.

So let’s stop being afraid. Let’s succeed, not just for us, but to show the world that we are capable of more than they thought.