I said I'd return to this subject.
Some of us will probably wonder: Why would we be afraid of success? Don't all people want to be successful in some form?
The reality is that, while we want something, we are often caught in a comfort zone that controls us without us realizing it. We've all lived in this zone, at least for a period, at least once in our lives — whether personally or professionally.
Fear of becoming successful is a real fear, more frequent than it seems. It's even known as "Fear of Success" and has many facets.
1. Fear of change (or rather, resistance to change)
Success brings changes — sometimes even big ones: more responsibilities, more attention, perhaps a different lifestyle. Many people fear they won't be able to live as relaxed as before.
2. Fear of being judged by others
We humans need validation and acceptance. But when you succeed, you can attract attention both positively and negatively. Some fear becoming targets of criticism, envy, or even hatred from those around them.
3. Fear of losing close relationships
Success sorts people — friends, even relatives. Fear of losing close relationships can be a self-sabotaging factor, because success changes relationship dynamics.
4. Fear of pressure and higher expectations
Once you succeed, the world begins to have high expectations of you. This pressure can be overwhelming and discouraging.
5. Fear of responsibility
Success brings more responsibility. Some fear they won't be able to handle it or that they aren't ready for what's ahead.
6. Fear of failure after success
Paradoxically, some fear that if they reach the top, they'll have more to lose in case of failure. It's easier to stay in a comfort zone than to risk everything for a dream.
7. Fear of no longer being authentic
Some of us believe success will force us to become someone else, to conform to expectations, to lose our essence.
Success doesn't come with calm! And to prepare for it, besides work and desire, awareness is needed of what might hold us back from embracing it.
Success comes with inner turmoil. It comes with new ideas that don't let you catch your breath. It comes with tiredness. Sometimes, it comes with the crumbling of the ego under the pressure of finding solutions to move forward.
Analyzing a word's etymology helps us understand its true meaning: from Latin successus, meaning "course," "unfolding," and only later, "result."
To succeed, in having success!
