Are You Afraid of Success?

So what is success, anyway? According to dictionary.com, success is "the accomplishment of one's goals. It is the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like." That sounds outstanding! Plus I am very exceptional in my work and strive for excellence in all that I do. So I deserve this success thing, right?! Then, why did I choose to be afraid of that which I found to be outstanding? The reasons of my fear of success of were: being noticed, sacrifice, and failure.

FEAR OF BEING NOTICED
I am a constant observer and analyzer of many things. It is what I do. I analyze resumes, polices, processes and budgets at work. I have observed that when people are successful, they are noticed and being noticed leaves them open to constant examination and scrutiny. Is that not hypocritical? LOL The fear of someone observing and analyzing me, which is the very thing that I am good at. But it is true. If I succeed, I am in the forefront, and I am not able to just hide in that safe and comfortable background.

The attention and spotlight is something I never desired. Look at me! Watch me! Me! Me! Me! I would rather do an excellent job and fade to the background.

Being noticed leads to obtaining different titles and with titles comes different levels of authority. I've observed people abusing their titles; using their titles for their own satisfaction and not for the good of those of that team or the overall outcome. I was afraid to receive a title and become someone else.

FEAR OF SACRIFICE
There are sacrifices that come with being successful that honestly scared me. Why? In church I would always hear, "...to (whom) much is given, much is required..." from the Bible verse Luke 12:48. This verse helped me not to covet or desire other people's success, but it also scared me. Can I live up to that which is required of me, after I attain the very blessings that I prayed for? I prayed for that promotion or for growth within my church, but can I commit to its required sacrifices? A different way of conducting my life, the lost of sleep, time with family, etc. are all sacrifices that will come with success.

FEAR OF FAILURE
My other fear was failure. What if I get it all and I do not just stumble, but I fail? I will be the laughing stock of myself, my family, and my school, etc. What if I get that new job and I lose it? What if I start that business and it does not meet my expectations of success? It happens, we have all experienced this first or second hand. It feels absolutely horrible.

So how have I chosen to overcome these fears?

OVERCOMING THE FEAR OF BEING NOTICED
I no longer fear being noticed. It is not that I now desire the attention or spotlight, but I am now open to it, IF that is what God has for me and it is for HIS glory. Being noticed is not such a bad thing after all. In fact, I was put on this earth with gifts to share and help others to succeed and conquer things. Why hide it? If the mere thought of the ability and opportunity to help others from mistakes is not enough motivation for you too, then sit tight.

In Mathew 25:14-23, A man gave three different individuals talents and went on a journey. The one who received five talents used the talents and doubled his portion and the one who was given two talents also used the talents and doubled their portion. However, the individual who was given one talent, chose to hide it. Then the man who provided the three individuals the talent, returned and blessed the first two individuals because they did not hide their gifts. The man took the talent back from the other individual who chose to hide it. There was no point in him having it since he did not use it. This is ultimately the same concept of "use it or lose it". So eat that for a while and be motivated! :)

OVERCOMING THE FEAR OF SACRIFICE
There are rewards that come with choosing to be committed to your sacrifice. For example, if I sacrifice 30 minutes a day to exercise I will lose weight, stay fit and live healthier life. I may lose some sleep and some time with my family, but what about the wonderful gift of being an example to my family. Sacrifice is hard work and dedication. I get to show my family that hard work and discipline pays off.

To that promotion or that growth, kill it with this scripture: Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

OVERCOMING THE FEAR OF FAILURE
First and foremost, God told me in Philippians 3:14 that "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." So I have chosen to stop applying extra pressure on myself by depending upon myself, instead I will depend upon Christ, because it is He who strengthens me.

No matter where I go, or what comes my way God told me "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

And for those times that it gets rough or when I do stumble, because none of us are perfect, that lack of perfection is how I learn. It is how I grow. The fact that it did not go as planned and that horrible feeling that is attached to the mistakes, is what shows me, not to continue that behavior and to try again, but this time with something new. My Word says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighted in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." Psalm 37:23-24

CONCLUSION
So I tell you, as I simultaneously tell myself, "Stop being afraid of who is watching and what they're watching! Don't fear the sacrifices and failures! STOP! That is a life of bondage.
Be noticed, make the sacrifices and look forward to their rewards. Embrace the falls and learn from them. Be successful! Go and get that promotion, live your dream, and use your skills!"

Be boundless with BoundlessV! :) <3

Thank you for your time.
Vannice Doulou
boundlessv.com