You’ve probably heard people talk about a fear of failure, and you might be worried about failing in certain areas of your life, but have you ever heard of a fear of success?
The idea that anybody could be scared of being successful might come as a shock to some people, but there are many different fears that are associated with becoming successful. Here are some of the most common worries that you might be able to relate to.
- Success involves change
In many scenarios, you need to change certain things in order to become successful. Therefore, the fear you feel when you think about the success you desire might be coming from other avenues. For example, relocating to a different area in order to get a better job might cause you worry and anxiety.
- Success is in the future
If you’re running a business, you’ve probably come up with a plan and a forecast for the future. Thinking about three, four, even five years down the line can fill people with dread and worry. Growing old and losing time are just two aspects which come along with thinking about the future.
- Successful people can create enemies
This doesn’t mean that you want to have enemies or that you’re purposely trying to create tension with other people, but less successful people generally resent those who are doing better than them. You might not like the idea of other people being envious of you to the point that they don’t want to be your friend.
- Success could change the way people view you
This is most common with successes such as losing a large amount of weight or inheriting a lot of money. If you have always been in working class circles and suddenly come into a lot of wealth, you might be worried about how people will view you. Likewise, if you lose a substantial amount of weight, you could be anxious about the person you love and what they might think of you.
How can you deal with a fear of success?
Remember that being successful is usually a very good thing, and you should be in control of your own situation and life all along. Try not to fall into the trap of worrying what other people might think about you, since this takes the power away from you and gives it to others. Be flexible and ready to change as the things around you change.
