Quite recently I and my business partner were returning back from presenting a proposal. It was a 2 hour drive and I spent some of the time reflecting on how the presentation went. It’s exciting to consider landing a larger project and some of the benefits that would inherently come with a new sale. The project was in fact quite large, it would firmly plant our business on safe ground through the next year. In fact there were a few proposals during the same week that we had been pitching. Three weeks earlier we had discussed a goal for the year, landing each of the projects that we pitched would allow us to meet and exceed those goals, even though we still have six months left.
Not just meeting but exceeding a lofty goal before the year was even half over? Imagine that. Why had I not been this aggressive last year, I wondered. Rather than simply thinking I blurted out, maybe I have a fear of success? and thus began a discussion that finally resulted in this post to you, reader person. Is it possible to have an internal fear of success that debilitates you in an unconscious way?
Curious as to the potential for such a wacky idea of “fear of failure” I did a little searching and came across this short test and an accompanying article discussing just that. In the article the authors, Ann B Fisher & Joyce Davis wrote:
“maybe you haven’t made any obvious blunders, but you haven’t been doing your best work for quite a while now, and you don’t know why.”
While my work quality has been high I certainly wasn’t too aggressive in landing jobs. Is it even possible that I, the seeming over achiever could have a fear of failure?
After some consideration of the preposterous idea of fear (after all I am a testosterone filled guy…fear is not an option right?) I actually stumbled into another theory. Again I blurted out “Maybe I just need a boost in my confidence?”. Great, now I’m considering the potential of having a low self esteem. On top of that my business partner thinks I’m a little wacko for even talking about it. Good thing I am already married, I’d never land a date with that attitude…
In the same article Brian Schwartz, a psychologist is quoted as saying
“People will only achieve the level of success that their image of themselves can absorb”
, oh boy, there it was. I could be suffering from a poor self image! Even now I glance down at my slightly distended belly and think “I need to loose some weight and buy a 69′ Mustang”.
So what is it then? do I have fear of failure, a lack of confidence, or a poor self image? I’d like to think that I don’t have any of the three, then again it does seem to be possible and you may never know it. I also know that even if I do have a fear of failure I’m not going to show it, no, no, no, that would be showing weakness.
What a losing combination too. If I had a fear of success, lack of confidence, a poor self image, and openly showed weakness what would people think? 
