Why Do We Fear Personal Success?

I'm not sure what innate human characteristic to blame for this trend, or if it's truly instinctual and not the result of societal development. But all too often, I find myself and others hiding from success. And it's not that we're incapable- far from it. I would venture to say that we all have the capacity to create greatness. So why don't we? Too often, we delay taking those first crucial steps toward the thing that we want most. Is it a fear that we'll fail? That it will disappoint and not live up to the grandiose we've built around it in our heads? Other times we have ideas but only communicate them to ourselves. While there is value in this, the true strength of an idea is when it can be realized by many. An idea as opposed to our self doubt has the potential to live on indefinitely. Self-doubt is and should only be momentary.

I am learning these lessons slowly. For too long I have avoided the things I enjoy using some reverse logic that I don't fully understand. And I see the same thing happening with too many of us. But we don't have to think that way. Patience is a virtue, as I'm learning. Things don't always happen immediately- you're very unlikely to write your perfect novel on the first go or record the perfect song in it's first attempt. Things take time. But throughout that time you must toil. You must put your insecurities aside and do. Doing becomes more familiar the more you do it. Yes, it sounds like a no brainer, but train yourself to do anything repeatedly and over time, it will become ingrained.

I have been blessed to know individuals who weren't born with all the gifts but rather than use it as a crutch, plugged away at the things that they most enjoyed. Mental handicaps, much like self imposed handicaps do not spell failure. It is in these people that I find the most strength and have the most respect. They are a shining testament to the fact that nothing is pre-determined- that if you apply yourself, you can do it. I never used to buy into that bullshit- the "applying" of oneself. It sounds all too hokey. But then I realized I wasn't doing it. And that's not to say I've perfected the art. Yet, there is a sensation of self assurance- of personal victory- every time you go outside your normal constructs and work towards your own pursuit. You might not always get immediate satisfaction (most times you will not) but it's not always about the payoff. It's about the struggle and the sarifices that you made along the way and upon reaching your goal, you can look back and realize that you were more capable than you ever knew. And it's all because you stepped out from behind your fear. It all starts with one step.