Most of us recognize the fear of failure. It’s the voice in your head that says, “What if I fall flat?” But what about the fear of success? It sounds counterintuitive — why would anyone be afraid of achieving what they’ve worked so hard for?
And yet, this fear is surprisingly common. People sabotage themselves, delay progress or stay stuck in the same place — not because they’re afraid to fail, but because they’re afraid to succeed.
Let’s break down what the fear of success really is, what it looks like in everyday life, and how to start moving past it.
Confidence in your abilities to go after your goals can sometimes be difficult to find or keep.
It can sometimes take time to discover the confidence you have inside you. This can be especially true if you are trying something new.
I have a program that can help you to discover what is holding you back from achieving your goals as well as help you set an attainable goal related to where you are in your life and where you are trying to be.
This program also works with you to build up your confidence in being able to reach your goal.
You can find out more about this program at Confidology, a funny name but a serious program.
You can contact me to talk about this or any other aspect of confidence and success at michael@coachmichaelw.com
Visit the site and read through the program description.
If you are not ready to commit to a full program, I have a self-paced course on Udemy that may be of interest. You can find out about the course and register at Confidence and Motivation Development and Maintenance
What Is the Fear of Success?
The fear of success is a subconscious resistance to achieving your goals. On the surface, you might want to be promoted, launch that business, lose the weight or become financially secure. But underneath, something pulls you back.
It’s not because you think you’ll fail. It’s because you’re worried about what will happen if you succeed.
Why Would Anyone Fear Success?
Success isn’t just the reward — it’s also responsibility, change and visibility. That can feel like a lot to take on, especially if you’re used to flying under the radar or staying in your comfort zone.
Here are some real reasons people fear success:
1. Success Demands Growth
Success doesn’t come from doing what you’ve always done. It asks more of you — more discipline, more focus, more risk. That threatens your comfort zone, and the brain doesn’t like that.
Your brain is wired to keep you safe. And “safe” often looks like “the same.” So even if a goal is exciting, your default response might be to slow down or back off as soon as things start to get real.
2. Success Brings Attention You May Not Want
With success comes visibility. You go from private to public. People notice you more, talk about you more and some will ask for things — money, time, advice, favours.
If you’re someone who avoids the spotlight or values your privacy, this new exposure can feel intrusive. The fear here isn’t about the success itself, but what it brings: expectations, attention and pressure to perform.
3. The Unknown Is Uncomfortable
Let’s say you’re used to living paycheck to paycheck. It’s not ideal, but it’s familiar. You know the drill. Now imagine making six figures, moving to a new neighbourhood or managing a team. Suddenly, you’re navigating unknown territory — and that can be scary.
The fear of the unknown can keep people stuck in familiar, unsatisfying situations because the thought of changing everything is overwhelming.
4. You Worry About Losing Yourself
You might have internalized the idea that success changes people — for the worse. Maybe you’ve seen someone who “made it” and became arrogant, selfish or fake. If you associate success with negative personal changes, it makes sense you’d avoid it.
But the truth is, success doesn’t have to make you someone you’re not. In fact, it can give you more freedom to be your authentic self — if you let it.
5. You’re Afraid It Won’t Be Worth It
You’ve probably experienced letdowns. That vacation you planned for months? Meh. The new phone you were so hyped about? Underwhelming.
The fear that success might not feel as great as you imagine can keep you from pursuing it at all. “What if I do all this work and still feel empty?” It’s a valid fear — but it’s also a mindset you can shift.
6. Criticism Comes With the Territory
Successful people attract critics. The more visible you are, the more opinions you’ll draw. Some people won’t like you just because you’ve achieved something they haven’t.
If you’ve been taught to fear judgment or if you’ve been hurt by criticism before, this can be a serious block. The key is understanding that criticism isn’t about you — it’s about them. And you don’t need to take it personally.
7. You Fear Becoming Unlikable
There’s a cultural narrative that successful people are selfish, greedy or egotistical. If you hold that belief, you may avoid success because you don’t want to become “that person” — even if it’s unconscious.
But success doesn’t turn you into someone else. It gives you more choices. If you’re generous and kind now, you can be even more so with greater resources.
Signs You Might Be Afraid of Success
- You procrastinate when things are going well.
- You downplay your accomplishments or fear talking about them.
- You feel guilty when you do better than people around you.
- You start strong but lose momentum just as you get close to your goal.
- You self-sabotage — missing deadlines, skipping interviews, ghosting opportunities.
These are clues that something deeper is going on. And it’s not laziness — it’s fear in disguise.
How to Overcome the Fear of Success
1. Identify the Root Fear
Ask yourself: What am I really afraid will happen if I succeed?
Be honest. Are you scared people will leave? That you’ll change? That you’ll still feel empty? Naming the fear is the first step to managing it.
2. Redefine What Success Means
Success doesn’t have to be flashy or stressful. You get to decide what it looks like for you — balance, peace, impact, income, growth. Clarify your version of success so it feels aligned, not threatening.
3. Challenge the Beliefs Holding You Back
If you believe success ruins people, look for examples of those who became more generous, more grounded, more fulfilled. What you look for, you’ll find.
4. Start With Small Wins
You don’t have to leap into the deep end. Build trust with yourself by achieving small goals consistently. Over time, your brain will stop seeing success as danger.
5. Practice Being Seen
Share your wins with people you trust. Learn to sit with the discomfort of attention until it becomes more normal. Being seen doesn’t have to mean being judged.
6. Get Support
A coach, mentor, or therapist can help you unpack fears and rewire your mindset. You don’t have to do this alone.
Final Thought
The fear of success is sneaky. It looks like hesitation, procrastination or staying small — but at its core, it’s just fear of change. Once you understand what’s really holding you back, you can move through it.
You deserve the version of success that feels good to you. Not someone else’s definition — yours. Don’t let fear keep you from finding out what that looks like.
To talk about any aspect of success or working with a Life Coach to help you to achieve success, you can book a 30-minute call by clicking on the blue button below.
Don’t try to do all of this by yourself, ask and receive the guidance that can get you moving towards your own success.
Working together can help you overcome personal and professional barriers, ensuring you reach your highest potential.
Nothing happens until action is taken.
To your success.
Michael
P.S Don’t forget to visit Confidology to learn more about the program. If you are not ready to commit to a full program, I have a self-paced course on Udemy that may be of interest. You can find out about the course and register at Confidence and Motivation Development and Maintenance
P.P.S if you want to find out more about my programs just check out the site Confidence and Life Coaching
P.P.P.S. If you enjoy reading these articles on my blog, I have more books that have more of this type of information that you can find out more about at Books to Read. You can buy these ebooks at many on-line book stores. The links to the bookstores are at the link above.
Photo by Nicholas Sampson on Unsplash
