We all have fears and insecurities that hold us back from reaching our full potential.
But sometimes, what we think is a fear of failure is actually a fear of success in disguise. It sounds counterintuitive, but the prospect of achieving our goals and stepping into our power can be just as scary as falling flat on our faces. If you’re someone who consistently sabotages your own efforts or shies away from opportunities to shine, it’s worth examining whether your fear of failure is really a fear of what comes after. Here are 14 signs that you might be grappling with a fear of success.
1. You procrastinate on important tasks.
Source: Unsplash Do you find yourself putting off crucial projects or assignments until the last possible minute? Do you tell yourself that you work better under pressure, even though deep down you know that’s not true? Procrastination is often a sign that you’re afraid of what will happen if you actually give your best effort and succeed. By leaving things until the eleventh hour, you give yourself an out — if it doesn’t go well, you can blame it on lack of time rather than your own abilities.
2. You have a pattern of self-sabotage.
Source: Unsplash Do you have a history of undermining your own success, whether it’s by blowing off important meetings, neglecting your health, or engaging in self-destructive behaviours? Self-sabotage is a classic sign of a fear of success. On some level, you might believe that you don’t deserve good things or that you’re incapable of handling the responsibilities that come with achievement. By tripping yourself up, you confirm those limiting beliefs and stay safely in your comfort zone.
3. You downplay your accomplishments.
Source: Unsplash When someone praises your work or acknowledges your success, do you brush it off or attribute it to luck or external factors? Do you have a hard time owning your achievements and accepting compliments graciously? Downplaying your accomplishments is a way of minimising the significance of your success and avoiding the spotlight. If you’re afraid of what might happen if you fully step into your power, you might subconsciously diminish your own worth to stay under the radar.
4. You have a fear of change.
Do you cling to the familiar, even when it’s not serving you? Do you resist new opportunities or challenges because they feel too risky or uncomfortable? A fear of change is often rooted in a fear of the unknown — and success can bring a lot of unknowns. If you’re used to a certain level of struggle or mediocrity, the idea of breaking through to a new level of achievement can be daunting. You might fear that success will change you in ways you’re not prepared for, or that you’ll lose your sense of identity in the process.
5. You compare yourself to pretty much everyone else.
Source: Unsplash Do you constantly measure yourself against your peers or competitors, always feeling like you fall short? Do you scroll through social media feeds, envying other people’s accomplishments and feeling like you’ll never measure up? Comparison is a guaranteed way to fuel a fear of success. When you’re always focused on what everyone else is doing, you lose sight of your own unique path and potential. You might fear that even if you do succeed, it won’t be enough to stack up against other people’s achievements.
6. You have a scarcity mindset.
Source: Unsplash Do you believe that there’s only so much success to go around, and that if someone else achieves something, it takes away from your own chances? Do you view the world through a lens of lack and competition, rather than abundance and collaboration? A scarcity mindset can feed a fear of success by making you believe that you’re not worthy of good things or that you’ll never have enough. If you’re afraid to go after what you want because you think it will deprive people, you’re operating from a place of fear rather than empowerment.
7. You have a hard time making decisions.
Source: Unsplash Do you agonise over even small choices, always second-guessing yourself and worrying about making the wrong move? Do you avoid committing to a course of action because you’re afraid of the potential consequences? Indecisiveness can be a sign of a fear of success because making a choice means taking a risk and potentially failing. If you’re afraid of what might happen if you actually go after what you want, you might find yourself stuck in analysis paralysis, never quite taking the leap.
8. You have a perfectionist streak.
Source: Unsplash Do you have impossibly high standards for yourself and your work? Do you nitpick every detail and never feel like anything is quite good enough? Perfectionism is often a cover for a fear of success because it gives you an excuse to never put yourself out there fully. If you’re always striving for an unattainable ideal, you never have to face the reality of what might happen if you actually achieve your goals. You can stay safely in the realm of “not quite there yet,” never risking the vulnerability of true success.
9. You have a hard time celebrating your wins.
Source: Unsplash When you do achieve something noteworthy, do you have a hard time actually enjoying it? Do you immediately move on to the next goal or challenge, never taking a moment to savour your accomplishment? A reluctance to celebrate your wins can be a sign that you’re uncomfortable with success and the attention it brings. If you’re afraid of what might happen if you fully own your achievements, you might subconsciously downplay them or rush past them, never allowing yourself to bask in the glow of your own brilliance.
10. You have a fear of the spotlight.
Source: Unsplash Do you shy away from public recognition or opportunities to showcase your talents? Do you prefer to work behind the scenes, even when you know you have something valuable to contribute? A fear of the spotlight can be a manifestation of a fear of success because success often comes with increased visibility and attention. If you’re afraid of what people might think or say about you if you step into the limelight, you might subconsciously sabotage your own efforts to avoid that exposure.
11. You have a hard time asking for help.
Source: Unsplash Do you insist on doing everything yourself, even when you’re struggling or overwhelmed? Do you view asking for help as a sign of weakness or incompetence? A reluctance to seek support can be a sign of a fear of success because it means admitting that you can’t do it all on your own. If you’re afraid of what might happen if you actually allow yourself to be supported and uplifted by other people, you might push people away and try to go it alone, even when it’s to your own detriment.
12. You have a fear of the unknown.
Source: Unsplash Do you cling to the familiar, even when it’s not serving you? Do you avoid taking risks or trying new things because you’re afraid of what might happen? A fear of the unknown is often at the root of a fear of success because success can bring a lot of new experiences and challenges. If you’re used to a certain level of predictability or control, the idea of stepping into uncharted territory can be daunting. You might fear that you won’t be able to handle what comes next, or that you’ll lose yourself in the process.
13. You have a hard time setting boundaries.
Do you have a hard time saying no to people’s demands or expectations? Do you overcommit yourself or take on more than you can reasonably handle? A lack of boundaries can be a sign of a fear of success because it means putting other people’s needs before your own and sacrificing your own goals and well-being in the process. If you’re afraid of what might happen if you actually prioritise yourself and your own success, you might subconsciously sabotage your efforts by spreading yourself too thin.
14. You have a history of quitting when things get tough.
Source: Unsplash Do you have a pattern of starting projects or pursuits with enthusiasm, only to abandon them when the going gets tough? Do you give up at the first sign of failure or resistance, rather than pushing through and learning from your mistakes? A history of quitting can be a sign of a fear of success because it means avoiding the discomfort and uncertainty that comes with growth and achievement. If you’re afraid of what might happen if you actually see something through to the end, you might subconsciously create obstacles or excuses to bail out before you get there.
If any of these signs resonate with you, it’s possible that your fear of failure is actually a fear of success in disguise.
Source: Unsplash The good news is, once you name and acknowledge that fear, you can start to work through it and reframe your mindset. Remember, success is not something to be afraid of — it’s something to be embraced and celebrated. You are worthy of all the good things that come with achieving your goals and stepping into your power. Don’t let your fear hold you back from the life you deserve. Take a deep breath, take a step forward, and trust that you have what it takes to handle whatever comes next. Your success is waiting for you — all you have to do is claim it.
