The Hidden Fear Behind Success
“Fear of success is far more dangerous than fear of failure because the subconscious mind works to prevent that which it fears.” — Joe Tye.
Is the fear of success real, or is it a myth disguised as indecision? Many dream of achieving wealth, recognition, and influence, yet some say procrastination isn’t attributed to laziness but a hidden fear of success. Perhaps the fear of success isn’t fear at all. It may be a mask for something deeper: the fear of hard work, persistence, and commitment without guarantees. Success is unpredictable, often requiring relentless effort without the promise of reward. In this article, I’ll explore why the “fear of success” might be resistance to hard work and how shifting our focus to excellence and service can help us achieve our potential.
Fear of success is a disguise because it convinces you success is possible. It is not. Even at the last minute, circumstances can change at a moment’s notice. You can toil away for years and not strike upon success, while others become lucky within a few months or years. They will tell you how they followed a specific formula that ensured their success. There is no formula to ensure success because the term means something different to you and me. The formula that worked for them may not work for you or others. That’s why the guarantee of success seldom works.
This brings us to the core fear behind procrastination: the unpredictability of success. Why would anyone fear the very thing they want so much? The same thing they put their lives on hold for? They sacrifice their health, family, and personal relationships to attain success. I understand that you can fear the trappings of success if it happens quickly, yet for many, this isn’t something to worry about because not everyone will experience success like J. K. Rowling. Are we naïve to think that success will be handed to a person overnight if they follow the rules and work hard? Indeed, we know there is no such thing as overnight success by now. Those ascribed to this label have been toiling away at their skill for many years, maybe even decades.
The Uncertainty of Hard Work: When Effort Isn’t Enough
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill.
Countless people come to mind who pursued their careers until they achieved success. You can’t apply a formula to success because, in the hands of the wrong person, success is like handing the lottery to someone with poor money management skills. I appreciate the idea of replicating your mentors to achieve success. Yet, some people will experience different results because many unknown factors contribute to success. For this reason, I believe the fear of success is attributed to the fear of hard work without any guarantee of success. It is what author Steven Pressfield calls resistance that stops many from achieving their finest work. Here, resistance holds the individual back from writing the first draft of a book they’ve wanted to pen for years. Resistance stops you from sitting down to hone your craft or focus on deliberate practice to fine-tune your motor skills.
Hard work requires commitment, dedication, and perseverance. If you have satisfied all these requirements, there’s still no guarantee that the pot of gold awaits you. Hard work is terrifying because it means putting your heart and soul on the line with little or no sign of accomplishment. Becoming a student of knowledge, skill, and wisdom requires discipline, tenacity, and determination. That is why hard work is not for everyone; only a few become successful because they are willing to dedicate themselves to their skill. They are eager to become the best instead of accepting mediocre skills and talent.
Chasing Excellence for Lasting Success
“Success is not built on success. It’s built on failure. It’s built on frustration. Sometimes it’s built on catastrophe.” — Sumner Redstone.
You cannot leave success to chance. It should be nurtured and cultivated and given your undivided attention. Greet it with humility and respect because, like the wind, it can suddenly turn and find someone else who will create the right environment to flourish. Success can be elusive, but it’s the pursuit that shapes us. It will serve you if you oblige it through hard work and persistence. Success is not something to be pursued but is awarded to those due to hard work, grit, and dedication.
According to Professor Hitendra Wadhwa of Columbia Business School, who writes in Inner Mastery, Outer Impact: How Your Five Core Energies Hold the Key to Success: “So much of what shapes outer success is about timing, events, people, and other forces beyond our direct control. But while no one can guarantee outer success, we can create the conditions that maximize the likelihood of our attaining it.”
If you want success, commit to hard work regardless of the immediate rewards.
If you want success, pursue excellence.
If you want success, dedicate yourself to your life’s work.
If you want success, stop making excuses for why it hasn’t shown up and do the work to draw it closer to you.
Success doesn’t come from luck alone or formulas since it is the byproduct of deliberate effort, resilience, and persistence. It demands we move beyond excuses and push through resistance, even when progress feels slow and uncertain. Those who succeed don’t fear the work required; they embrace it. Excellence becomes their goal, and service to others is their mission. If you want to overcome hesitation and unlock your true potential:
- Stop waiting for success to find you.
- Pursue excellence today.
- Commit to the process, serve others passionately, and put in the work daily.
The path to success is demanding but rewards those who refuse to quit. Start acting like your best future self now and watch as success follows in time.
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Tony Fahkry
Expert Life Coach
