The fear of success involves being afraid of achievement, often to the point that people will get in their own way. While success is the ultimate goal as an entrepreneur, there are reasons why you may be afraid of doing well.

It is important to recognize that people don't necessarily fear success itself. Instead, their fear is centered on the potential consequences of success. Because expectations of success are often based on the idea that achieving your goals means making sacrifices or suffering losses, it is perhaps not surprising that people may be wary of the cost of their success. 

A friend started a bridal business many years ago. It wasn’t the traditional bridal salon but a business in which once-worn bridal gowns were brought to the store to be resold on consignment. This was at a time when consignment stores for gently worn clothing were almost unheard of. In this case, the bridal gowns really had only been worn once, thus were virtually brand new.

The business concept was new to the market, the business plan was sound, the research was thorough and as far as the friend was concerned, success inevitable. Then fear set in. It wasn’t fear of failure; it was fear of overwhelming success. She had a young family and was worried about the time she would be away from her family. She was worried about having to put aside her own needs in favour of clients who, as many know, can become bridezillas but, as the clients, are always right. She was afraid of this success and could not envision a growth that would require more of her time, of her resources, more of her.

IDENTIFYING FEAR OF SUCCESS

If you think that you might be afraid of success, here are some things to look for:

• Being afraid of how you will handle being in the spotlight

• Worrying about anticipated potential social or relationship repercussions

• Feeling anxious about new or more responsibilities as the result of your success

• Worrying that things will just become more complicated than what you can manage

• Fearing comments from naysayers 

Another common fear is Imposter Syndrome, which may feel like anxiety or the belief that you’ll be “found out” that you’re a phony despite your proven accomplishments. It holds you back from the self-confidence you've earned and deserve to feel. The fear of success causes people to miss opportunities, impairs personal development, and makes it more difficult to realize goals in life. 

MANAGING FEAR OF SUCCESS

• Because stress can play a role in your fear, it is important to look for ways to relax and manage it.

• Be aware of the negative beliefs that you have around achievement. Reexamine your thoughts about your accomplishments.

• Become aware of negative thought patterns and work to replace them with positive ones.

The fear of success can have a serious, negative impact on your life. Reflect on the nature and source of your fear and learn to identify your behaviors that occur as a result. Focus your attention on countering these self-destructive tendencies. You have worked hard and deserve the recognition, the success, and the rewards.