You might be surprised to know that many people are affected by the fear of success. Many joined SFI in search of better opportunity, to become an entrepreneur, to quit their full time work, improve their way of living and attain financial freedom. But somehow and sometimes doubts set in and you need to recognize what this doubt/fear is in order to eliminate it and strengthen your desire for success.
In order to understand the fear of success, you need to know the reasons why people have a fear of success:
- Afraid of the outcome of your actions towards achieving success
- Uncertain of lifestyle changes that might be required
- Worried about the affects of your success in your relationships – Family/Friends/Co-workers
- Scared of responsibility or extra work associated with being successful
- Skeptical on what success can bring – Whether jealousy among friends or fear of loneliness
Before you can help your team members to overcome the fear of success, you’ll need to look at yourself if you have it.
Here are things to consider that might relate you to a fear of success and could hold you back from success if not dealt with:
- Keeping your accomplishments to yourself, and do not express them to others
- Procrastinate or avoid projects with big roles or big responsibility
- Think that sustaining a successful life would be too difficult, and you will
lose it
- Feel guilty of success – Worry of family or friends without the same success
- Undermine your goals thinking it may conflict with your current lifestyle
- Sometimes convince yourself you might not have what it takes for success
- Having thoughts you are unworthy or do not deserve to experience success
- Believe more work may come from success than you can handle
How to overcome your fear of success and help your team members to overcome it:
- Facing your fear is one of the most effective ways to weaken the effects of your fear.
- Rationalize your thoughts with realistic outcomes and emotions to make your fear of success fade away.
- Ask the following questions to find out if you feel any of the characteristics of fear and write down your responses and share them to your team members:
How will my life change if I achieve the success of my SFI business?
If successful, what will my family think? What will my friends think?
What is my motivation level for this achievement?
What is the worst case scenario of a successful achievement?
What is the best case scenario?
Why do I feel I cannot or should not achieve the success of my SFI business?
What emotions and fears am I experiencing in venturing my SFI business?
What actions am I performing to prevent achieving the success of my SFI business
When you understand your subconscious behaviors, you will soon eliminate your concerns related to the outcomes of success. When asking yourself these questions, think pass what you want to see happen, or fear to happen, and think about the most likely outcomes.
When achieving success, discuss it with your team members, to encourage and motivate them. Most family and friends are accepting, and happy for your success. A handful of your family and friends can react negatively towards it because of jealousy or thinking they are better.
Let your team members know how you dealt with it. Brushing away jealous and negative remarks is a great practice for overcoming the fear of success.
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