Fear is such a liar. Often, when we think of fear holding us back, we picture a fear of failure – the fear that things won’t work out, that we’ll look unprepared or foolish, or that we’ll regret our choices because they didn’t go well. But have you ever considered that fear might be holding you back not because of failure, but because of success?

You might be thinking, “Why would I ever be scared of success? Isn’t that the goal?” It’s a valid question. However, the fear of success can be just as paralyzing as the fear of failure. Let’s explore this idea for a moment.

What Does Fear of Success Look Like?

• Career Change: You might be afraid to change careers because deep down, you know it could skyrocket your professional journey.
• Health and Fitness: Walking into a gym and committing to your health could lead to significant positive changes, but the fear of maintaining that lifestyle can be daunting.
• Personal Development: Hiring a coach could provide the tools and resources to manage your life better and show up as a more regulated (read: calmer) mom, but it requires confronting your current habits.
• Creative Endeavors: Writing a book that becomes a bestseller is thrilling, but the pressure and visibility that come with success can be intimidating.

The Discomfort of Change

Success brings change, and change is uncomfortable, especially if you already feel maxed out and overwhelmed. “New levels, new devils,” as they say. The pressure to show up in a new way and take on new responsibilities can be scary. Success might remove some excuses you’ve been comfortable with, and stepping out of that comfort zone is tough.

Ignoring or avoiding fear doesn’t work. When has telling anyone, including yourself, to “calm down” ever actually worked? Instead, be with the fear. Acknowledge it and understand its highest intention. This recognition can be incredibly powerful in shifting your mindset.

Practical Steps to Overcome Fear of Success

1. Identify Your Fear: Think about the thing that scares you.
2. Visualize Success: Consider what excites you about this potential success. Visualize it in detail.
3. Anchor in Excitement: Let this excited visualization be your anchor. Hang on to it.

A study from Harvard Business School found that you can flip moments of nervousness into excitement. This rewiring of your mind and body helps you manage fear more effectively.

My Personal Journey

When I launched my podcast, I was already running a law firm. I was scared it would be too much – hiring help, spending more time away from my family, adding more to my plate. But I visualized all of you listening – women feeling encouraged and empowered. Women learning to heal their nervous systems and handle more somatically, showing up differently in every area of their lives. This vision of generational impact keeps me going.

Embrace the Possibility

Success is not something to fear. Embrace the possibility of success and the positive changes it can bring. Remember, acknowledging and understanding your fear is the first step toward overcoming it. You’ve got this!

through this process, you’ll learn, grow, and remember that you are safe and loved through it all.

Have a question you’d love Michelle to answer on the podcast? “Ask Michelle a Question.” Click this link, record your message, hit send, and I’ll answer it in a future episode!