Why do people have a fear of success?

Jason:

Well, here I go ... jumping into a swarm of male opinions!

A person that I have a great deal of respect for recently asked me if I had a fear of success. I was awestruck! Me? Fear of success? Gawd no! I'm as hungry for success and all its trappings as the next person.

But then we got to talking. And one thing that I got out of our discussion is that fear of success is NOT the same as fear of failure.

I'm not afraid to try whatever it takes to achieve "success." I've gone out on a limb many-a-time in the past to reach that "star." And I've experienced many failures along the way. But I haven't been afraid to get up and try again.

So why don't I have the "success" that I want?

I think one of the posters was "right on" in that we often don't want to leave our comfort level. Those who have a fear of success wonder what life will be like if they become "successful." Will their friends change? Will their lifestyle change? Will they have to dress differently? Will people think differently about them?

Yes, I know. Some of you are probably thinking, who cares? But for those who have this "fear," these things hold a major place in their thinking.

The fear may be totally subconscious -- in fact it often is, which is why I reacted to my friend as I did. But as we probed deeper, I discovered that yes, there was some fear of success floating around.

Hope my little dissertation sparks some thought.

Nan




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