Fear of Success: Why It's Holding You Back More Than You Think
- stefanowajelonek
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
In my last post, I wrote about how the fear of failure can lead to procrastination. But there's another fear that's talked about far less — the fear of success.
You might recognize this thought:
“If I succeed, people will expect more from me. And what if I can’t handle it? Better to keep expectations low — it feels safer that way.”
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
Avoiding pressure might bring temporary relief. But over time, that mindset keeps you stuck. According to Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), every behavior has a positive intention — even procrastination. Your brain is trying to protect you from future disappointment, judgment, or burnout.
There’s a popular saying:
“The higher you climb, the harder you fall.”
So to avoid the fall — we avoid the climb. But in doing so, we also avoid growth. Our goals remain out of reach — not because we’re incapable, but because we don’t feel safe reaching for them.
So how do you overcome the fear of expectations?
Here are a few tools that have helped both me and my clients:
→ Redefine success.Success doesn’t mean being flawless. Dr. Brené Brown reminds us that embracing our imperfections is what leads to true growth. It’s not about perfection — it’s about authenticity.
→ Own your truth.A coach once told me:“If you pull your own pants down, no one else can do it for you.”In other words: be honest with yourself and others. When you admit your truth, no one can use it against you.
→ Manage expectations — yours and others’.Let go of the pressure to perform perfectly. The goal is progress, not perfection.
→ Take action anyway.Waiting for the “perfect moment”? That’s often just another form of fear. Start where you are. Try, fail, try again. That’s where real success is born.
To end: Success isn’t perfection. When was the last time you demanded the impossible from yourself?
And what if, instead of fearing expectations, you embraced the freedom to simply be yourself — with all your strengths, flaws, and everything in between?
If that thought brings you relief or a sense of possibility — good. That’s the point. 😉
This post is the second part of my series on the emotional roots of procrastination. You can read the full series on my blog.
تعليقات