When a person feels the need to hold back from doing his best, that's a fear of success.
Fear of success means distraction is everywhere, focus is impossible, motivation lost and confidence undermined.
1. Change is frightening.
Sometimes people are more contented with the status quo. Life is more manageable without drastic changes.
2. Once success is reached, it will be expected again.
Take for example, the high school valedictorian who made everyone proud with all his achievements. Once he
reaches college, people will expect him to do well yet again. Some people cannot take this kind of pressure.
With success, expectations are raised.
3. The attention is overwhelming.
If one is not used to being the center of attention, success is can be hard to manage.
It may be easier to be the wallflowers whose lives are not interesting enough to merit recognition.
4. Success usually means less privacy.
Good examples are the Hollywood celebrities who complain that they can no longer enjoy privacy.
5. Success imposes the pressure of winning again.
What if one has pulled off the greatest performance of his life? How can he expect himself to surpass that?
6. Success can mean a drastic change in the schedule.
Success may make it difficult to attend to friends, families and other personal relationships. There is fear that
career success might cause failure in these relationships.
7. Success sometimes leads to stereotyping.
Celebrities and well-known athletes are expected to sign autographs and act accommodating to what fans expect.
Failure to do labels them as "rude" and "hypocritical."
8. Remaining successful is easier than working hard to succeed.
It is hard to stay on top with more demands and obligations.
9. Success often attracts enemies.
Some people become envious, insecure, or discouraged when their peers have surpassed their
performances. They might try to bring the successful people down.
10. Success can change personality and self-image.
Success applies pressure: am I successful enough? Do I deserve this kind of success? These questions,
when totally examined, can lead a person into believing that he is only good with the success attached to his name.
Maintain a positive attitude
There are ways to overcome the fear of success.
One way is through redefining the concept of success, thinking what it really means to the person. He might want
to check out some of the books that are available on overcoming this fear.
Self-hypnosis is useful in overcoming this fear. It is mandatory that the person visualizes himself
devoid of the fear of success.
Try to live a full life, by reaching for achievement in other areas such as business, family, athletics, or personal
interests. Help others achieve success and you can be proud of doing something good for society!
NEXT: Overcoming fears of mental or physical abuse
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