65.

Deal with Your Fear of Success

Everyone knows about fear of failure. It's often what keeps people from taking risks, trying new things, and stepping out into the unknown. But there's another fear: fear of success. With fear of success, it's actually easier and safer to not take risks, try new things, or step out into the unknown because the alternative is far scarier.

If you try to do something and succeed, it puts you into a whole new realm. You're no longer in the safe space you've always been—the familiar place where your friends can commiserate with you, filled with the ongoing drama called some variation of “Poor Me I've Tried So Hard But Life Is Tough And No One Really Cares.”

But if you succeed—if you actually accomplish what you said you would—you put yourself in a more challenging situation. You actually have to produce results. You have to deliver on the things you promised to do for others. Can you do it? What if they find out you're really a fraud? Better to not try and just go with what you know. That's less scary.

Does this sound like you? If the answer is yes, you'll want to notice this type of behavior, acknowledge it, and push through it. It's part of the human condition to feel you're a fraud and that others will “find you out.” You're not alone. Do it anyway. People need the gifts you offer. Don't deny them that privilege.