Fear of Success

We fear success more than we fear failure.

In reality, failure isn’t so bad.

If we fail, we’re right back where we started.

The same person.

In the same environment.

Doing the same thing.

But if we succeed.

Well that’s a whole world of unknown.

And we instinctively fear the unknown.

So, we subconsciously avoid it.

We call off our dreams before even attempting them.

We get close to the finish line and give up right before we’re about to cross.

Because, we know that if we cross, well…

We’d be different.

And that may make us feel lost, confused, and worse, in danger.

Becoming successful is uncomfortable.

But like any discomfort, if you go for it, you will grow.

This past week I’ve repeatedly sat in a room and had conversations with an idol of mine.

Someone whose photo used to literally hang on my wall.

When I first met him, I felt like a fraud.

My instinct was to pull back.

To run away and hide.

I felt out of place.

But I decided to lean into the discomfort of believing that I belonged.

I gradually accepted that where I was, was where I was supposed to be.

That my perspective was important.

That I had something to say.

This confidence doesn’t come overnight.

Hell, I still have a lot of work to do.

But once it begins to click.

Once you understand that you have as much a right to be successful as anyone else.

Well, then you’ll be successful.

Love,

Dhruv.