The Fear of Failure vs The Fear of Success

“The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.” - Sven Goran Eriksson

Someone once told me the biggest thing holding me back from attaining my goals, was me - I was my biggest obstacle.

At first I didn’t quite understand. How was this possible? After really thinking about it, I came to a conclusion. I’m a perfectionist. There’s no doubt about it. Everything has to be done a certain way, in a certain order and all done to a certain set of expectations.

My fear is the fear of failure, which in turn is the fear of succeeding. They are one in the same. The fear of failure and the fear of success, are very common. No one likes to fail. The problem is that we get so consumed with what may not happen, we neglect to put our energy into what could happen if we set our mind to it. It’s difficult to see the silver lining, if all you’re seeing are the consequences of what will happen if you don’t succeed.

When you’re given a task, one has to be able to sit down and figure out a plan. List all the steps you must complete in order to finish the task at hand. Stick to that plan and you’ll be well on your way to succeeding. It’s when we doubt ourselves and our abilities, that we often tend to fall. We are the ones who sabotage our own success.

The fear of actually having to produce, of having to put your plan in motion is what stands in people’s way of succeeding. The ideas are there, but no action is being taken. Unfortunately, there are many people who get stuck at the starting line behind this invisible barrier, unwilling and unable to do anything.

There are people who have ideas that don’t necessarily work, people who’s ideas get turned down, but they keep pushing forward towards success. They are motivated and determined to follow through with their plan, from beginning to end.

Once you do succeed, it’s about maintaining that success - once you get there you have to stay there. Find out what you’re afraid of. Examine the situation. Figure out what’s keeping you from your goals. Are you afraid of change? Are you doubtful of yourself? Whatever it is, work through it or you’ll never be able to move forward.

Success isn’t something that happens overnight. On your journey, you’ll have to overcome many challenges, one being that of fear. If you’re in this game, you’re in this game to win it.