1 Quote, 1 Truth, 1 Action

“Success is Scary Because it Requires You To Keep Showing Up.”  Brene Brown

It Lurks Beneath Our Motives

My wife and I recently spoke with a young married couple who hit a rough patch and had made progress working their way out of it. Things were going so well. It was impressive. Then, the wife suddenly expressed concern. She worried that things would go downhill again. This prompted me to think of my own fears, many of which are not based on failure, but success. That’s right, we often struggle with fear of success. What will happen if things go so well that it eventually lets me down? Could I keep it up?

Why rob ourselves of this joy? Enjoy success and prepare for more. This is exactly what i told this couple. They will hit a rough patch again, but that is no reason to fear the future and celebrate growth. When we grow properly, our strength and wisdom is compounded for the next challenge. In other words, we are more prepared.

This couple left encouraged, ready to begin a new season in their lives, because they knew they had a strong foundation with a few wins already under their belt. If they did that, they could do this.

How I Overcame My Fear

I realize that my biggest roadblock to the next level of success is myself. Here is how. Each time I found myself in a higher level in the organization, I thought I was at my limit. Could I possibly handle any more responsibility? Every time I got to a certain level of fitness from exercise and healthy eating, I did not think I could maintain it. Could I keep eating like this, limiting the unhealthy stuff and eating more of the good stuff? Each time my wife and I had children, I thought we had enough. There is no way we can handle more. 

After reflection, I realize each of these feelings were fearful emotions. The standard that I had hoped to set for myself was uncomfortably high, and I worried that I would not be able to sustain it.

Here is the thing. Those making the greatest impact in this world have high standards and expand their expectations year over year. Just because they are beyond their comfort zones, they know they could do more. Today, I am in the best shape I have ever been (and that includes high school), because I made a conscious effort not to be afraid of my success, telling myself that I can and will sustain this new level of rigor. I actually finished a book, defying norm of an estimated 80-90% of writers who start but never finish because I told myself that it is not too agressive to make a goal to write 500 words a day. For these few months, I saw success and I was not afraid of it.

What Are You Really Afraid Of?

What success are you afraid of? Do you like the idea of moving up to senior management but worry that you will not be able to keep up with the work life balance or your current level of freedom?

Do you want to have another child but feel like you could not possibly handle the added chaos and responsibility?

Are you worried that adding more capacity to serve more customers is risky and maybe your business should stay at its current size?

If you are okay with the same results, stay where you are, but if day after day you seek more, be prepared for discomfort and believe that you are more than capable. Do not be afraid of success.

---

Get my new book, Business in the Bible

Biblical Success Principles for Leaders and Organizations

---

Receive the Empowerment Newsletter