Fear of Success

Everyone talks about fear of failure. I really do not think
that is what it is. It is really fear of success. I am convinced that coaches and
athletes fear success more than they fear failure. With success comes pressure,
the more success the more you are expected to succeed and the more pressure. Successful
people do not fear failure, they use to learn, and it is a growth opportunity.
They internalize it and use it to improve. Unsuccessful people avoid succeeding
like the plague, they know that by succeeding expectations for success will
rise. They are comfortable being mediocre and find ways to stay mediocre. If you listen to their self talk and
chatter you will hear it. They usually have every excuse in the book why they
can’t be better. They also can tell you a million reasons why others who are succeeding
are doing things they can’t or won’t do. These are the people that Dweck has identified
as those with a fixed mindset. Successful people have a growth mindset. They embrace
challenges, look on failure as a growth opportunity. They understand there will
be missteps, but each of those is a learning opportunity, embrace the pursuit of
excellence, don’t be afraid of it. To be the best is not comfortable, everyday
you have to go where few others dare to venture.