Overcoming the Fear of Being Successful: How it Affects Decision Making in Business Owners

Apr 4, 2023 | Blog

Introduction

As an accountants, we have noticed that some business owners struggle with making decisions that lead to success. This may be due to a subconscious fear of success that interferes with their decision-making. In this blog post, we’ll explore the fear of being successful and its impact on decision-making, as well as some strategies for overcoming this fear.

 

What is the Fear of Being Successful?

The fear of being successful is a common subconscious fear that some business owners experience. This fear is often related to a fear of the unknown or a fear of change. Business owners may fear that success will bring new challenges, responsibilities, and expectations that they are not prepared for. They may also fear that success will change their relationships with others or that they will lose their sense of identity.

 

How the Fear of Being Successful Affects Decision Making

The fear of being successful can lead to decision-making that does not move a business owner towards success. This may manifest in several ways, such as:

  • Procrastination: Business owners may delay making important decisions or taking action towards their goals because they are afraid of what success may bring.

  • Self-sabotage: Business owners may unconsciously make decisions that undermine their success, such as not following through on opportunities or making excuses for not taking action.

  • Playing it safe: Business owners may avoid taking risks or trying new things because they fear failure or the unknown.

 

Strategies for Overcoming the Fear of Being Successful

If you are a business owner who experiences the fear of being successful, there are strategies you can use to overcome this fear and make decisions that move you towards success. Some strategies include:

  • Identify the underlying beliefs: Try to identify the beliefs that underlie your fear of success. Ask yourself what you believe about success and what it means for you.

  • Reframe success: Instead of viewing success as something to fear, try to reframe it as an opportunity for growth, learning, and fulfillment. Focus on the benefits that success can bring to your life and your business.

  • Take small steps: Instead of trying to make big changes all at once, try taking small steps towards your goals. This can help you build confidence and overcome the fear of the unknown.

  • Seek support: Talk to a trusted friend, mentor, accountant, advisor or coach about your fear of being successful. They can offer perspective, guidance, and support as you work to overcome this fear.

 

Conclusion

The fear of being successful is a common subconscious fear that can interfere with decision-making in business owners. However, with awareness and some strategies for overcoming this fear, you can make decisions that move you towards success. We help our clients identify and overcome the fear of being successful by providing guidance, support, and resources to help them reach their goals.

 

If you would like to find out more about how we can support your business, please contact us here.

Dext partner logo

Growth on your mind? Let’s talk

We’ll chat about your business, your future, and your aspirations. And then we’ll help you get there.