Picture this … I was recently talking to a client who had built his business from nothing to over a million dollars in revenue in just three years. I asked him what his biggest fear was. His answer was that he was afraid his success wouldn’t last. This client is not alone. The fear of being unable to maintain success is very common in top performers.
There are several reasons for this. One of the reasons is that when we achieve success we often don’t know how we did it! You see, so much of success is attained through what we think and know in our subconscious mind. Sure it took a lot of outside conscious work but many others have worked hard and not reached that level of success. So the fear comes up that, “I don’t know how I really got here so how can I make sure I stay?”
Another common reason for this fear is that success by it’s very nature requires us to be seen. Here we are out in front of the world, whether that world is a corporate office , small town or at a national level, we are still out there. So the mind goes to that fearful place of, “If I cannot maintain success then everyone is going to be a witness to my fall.”
Last but not least, a reason for this fear is that many of us work very hard to reach success and are not sure if we can keep up the pace to maintain it. We’re tired!!
So let’s cover some solutions for these common reasons for fear…
Reason #1 I don’t know how I got here.
The fact is it doesn’t matter if you don’t know how you did it. What matters is that you stay in a creative, calm space so your subconscious wisdom can be accessed. I know I’ve said this before but it is so key… Finding time everyday to still the mind through meditation, EFT or some other relaxation technique can be the difference between continued success or failure. We have to lower the cortisol levels in our brain so it can work at an optimal level. When it does that, then you feel the flow and joy of creative success.
Reason #2 I am visible and vulnerable
It’s true that we are more visible as we become successful. This is when it is so critical that we go back to the reason “Why” we are wanting to be successful. Why do we want to create this? Is it the lifestyle you long for? Are you providing a service you are passionate about? When we tap into the powerful reason “Why” then we take our eyes off our fears of being out there.
It is also important that we find ways to make ourselves feel safe. Often that involves having a team of people around us that support, encourage and cheer for us. Hire a coach to always be in your corner, know what friends you can trust and ask them for help when you need it.
Reason #3 It’s too much work to maintain success.
I remember sitting at my desk in the kitchen one evening after a long and busy day. I was looking at my to-do list which I had barely made a dent in. All of a sudden I realized I was crying . The overwhelm of not being able to keep up with everything just washed over me. I’m a bit of a slow learner when it comes to getting help but I knew at that moment I couldn’t do it all. I had to get help. Once I delegate and hired people to take care of some of those to-do’s I was able to focus on what I did best and what I loved to do. Most of us are too slow to ask for help. But part of being successful is being a good leader. Do what you do best and delegate the rest.
In order to maintain success it is key that we enjoy our journey. Find ways to keep your mind calm so you stay creative and resourceful, keep your reason “why” always in front of you, find ways to feel safe and learn how to lead and delegate so you will move from struggle to thriving.
Have an Amazing Monday,
Leanna Fredrich, Mindset Coach, Adv. EFT, Adv. Psych-K