Fear of Success?

Winner’s Circle Network with Lou Tice -

“Fear of Success?”

Many people are afraid of failure, but do you know anyone who is afraid of
success? Today, let’s talk about this all too common problem. But first, ask
yourself, “Am I afraid of success?”

Even if your first instinct is, “No, of course not!” think about it. Abraham
Maslow, one of the great psychologists, called it a “Jonah Complex,” because
Jonah chose to turn away from the great things God had planned for him. The
Bible tells us that Jonah eventually found himself eaten by a whale, but
most people who fear success find themselves consumed by regrets for things
that might have been, rather than a large cetacean.

There are many reasons why we might turn away from the challenges that could
bring us success, but it is usually because we just don’t believe we have
what it takes to pull it off. Our self-efficacy is low. (Self-efficacy
simply means our own estimation of what we can cause or bring about.)

The good news is that self-efficacy can be improved. One way is to remember
the successes you have had in the past, and vividly imagine yourself
repeating similar successes in the new situation. Another is to set yourself
up to succeed by taking on risks you are pretty sure you can handle, and
then gradually – step by step – upping the ante.

It is important to surround yourself with supportive people who believe in
you, and to control your self-talk and negative thinking. You don’t want to
end up stopping yourself before you start. Why not begin today to live your
life in the present, so that you will have no regrets in the future.

Lou Tice
The Pacific Institute
www.thepacificinstitute.com