Fear of success leads to self sabotage or may cause you to quit before trying. Here’s a funny story and fresh perspective that can help fuel your success.
Are you afraid of success? Before you dismiss that thought, let me share a funny story, and a fresh perspective .
I have a friend who took her first yoga class and loved it… until the final pose, when reclined on her back, and asked to completely relax and integrate the practice. She was so successful she fell asleep, waking to find an empty room and a patient instructor waiting to lock up. She was mortified and never did yoga again.
Whether in the physical, professional, or creative realm, success draws attention and may make you uncomfortable. There’s also the obligation of continued progress and the challenge of protecting what you’ve earned, learned, and now proven is possible.
Fear of success leads to self sabotage or may cause you to quit before even trying. It’s so much easier to play it small and hold on to what you have, especially your excuses – all of the reasons you’re justifiably limited and likely to fail.
Every success is preceded, followed, and accompanied by failures of all shapes and sizes. The only way to lasting success is more failure. As you progress, the failures become more nuanced and informative.
Just as higher altitude provides a better view, increased success brings perspective. You see where you were and no longer need to be, and new paths and options now available. You’ll also learn to see the teachings of your missteps in real time.
On some level we all fear success and the changes, challenges, and scrutiny it brings. But perhaps we should instead fear stagnation, as the only solid path is the ongoing pursuit of what keeps you curious. So continue to strive for what fascinates and fuels you, and you will be Off Balance On Purpose.