Why do people have a fear of success?

Sandy -

In a different way, I also have been burdened by the "grade thing".

I was born premature and lucky to live, so that from my earliest memories my mother (bless her heart) promised God that I would be special and amount to great things.

Now, that sounds fine on the surface, but "special and great" changes meaning as we grow up and evolve.

For my mother (as a single parent as my dad died when I was seven) I achieved greatness when I graduated from the US Naval Academy with honors a while back at age 22. She still applauds that accomplishment.

However, for me, every time I achieve something good, a little voice says, "This isn't good enough - you must do better to fulfill your destiny and your mother's promise to God!" And I'm not even very religious :-)

Now that's a good thing, since it drives me onward and upward, but it's a bad thing since I don't know how much is enough! Luckily, I've recognized its insidious impact on me and have done a lot of introspection and soul searching to counteract this unyielding voice within me that says I haven't done enough, no matter how much I accomplish. Sometimes, enough is enough!

I guess my point is that even the most positive message, when allowed to run amuck in the subconscious, can become an unreasonable force in our lives. Self awareness is a powerful counterforce. Introspection is key. And taking action and achieving YOUR OWN goals is an antidote.

So my advice is to step back, acknowledge your accomplishments to date, and consciously choose your next direction in life. Do it for YOU, not for ghosts of the past or chimeral rewards.

Regards, Bob