8 Greatest Fears Stopping You from Best Success and Happiness

OVERCOME FEAR OF SUCCESS

Fear of success can prevent you from being all you can be. Have you ever had difficulty keeping a simple commitment to yourself? Nearly everyone I know has some time or another, found him or herself "stuck."

You have the best intentions but you avoid, put off, or procrastinate.  

Why don't we do the things we know we need to do to be happier Why do we fear success?  

We know we should improve our health or career. But we put it off.  

Let's say you keep putting off that new fitness program. 

You can even imagine what it might mean to you. You want a firmer, healthier, and more energetic body. 

You want greater confidence and better career opportunities. Yet, you don't do what you know you need to do. What prevents you from taking those first steps?

My observation as a neuropsychologist is that our thoughts tend to see the obstacles first. Those barriers that lie between where we are now and where we want to be or who we want to become. 

Just as fast as you conceive of achieving your new body, your brain begins to spout out every reason you can't attain your goal. So even before we can initiate any action, we literally stop or freeze.

And once your thoughts begin to fill with all the barriers that could potentially keep you from achieving your newfound goal, suddenly your desire to even try is crushed.

But what if we push through the obstacles?  What if we beat this underlying fear that causes the procrastination and avoidance.

Think about it for a moment. Whatever deterred you from attempting to build your best self suddenly vanished. You'd have no fear to stop you, right?

What if I showed you how to take those obstacles and instantly transform them into strategies for achieving success. Would you think of starting, or sticking to, your new plan then?

The truth is, we can choose to transform the factors that prevent us from achieving our goals and desires.   

Let me explain a Breakthrough Method.

How can we break through our barriers, smash those fears, and transform those obstacles into strategies for achieving our personal goals? 

It's really quite simple--allow me to introduce you to the Breakthrough Method. 

I've taken the eight most feared obstacles that potentially stand in the way of your success.  Present a very specific success strategy to blast through them. 

You are then able to achieve your personal success goals.

Let's get started!

Obstacle #1: I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME.

Believe or not, individuals who achieve extraordinary levels of success have days just as hectic as ours. We all have obligations or commitments to work, friends, and family. 

We're all confined to an equal amount of time--the same 24 hours. Yet some people find the time to work on their personal goals daily. 

So how do they do it? They create it. They create time to plan, plan, and plan some more. That means planning your days ahead, at least a day in advance, sometimes even a week in advance. 

One of the best time-creating techniques is to make a list of your daily "to-dos." You determine which are the most important and urgent to accomplish.

You divide your "to-dos" into things you must do and things you would like to do.  For example, getting to the gym is important, whereas getting your haircut may seem urgent but it can be rescheduled. 

Before you do the next task ask yourself what you could be doing that would be more productive.

Success Strategy #1: PLAN AHEAD. 

Ben Franklin said:  "If you fail to plan you are planning to fail."

Creating the time you need to read each day is easy! Plan your days in advance by creating action lists of the most important things to accomplish each day. Do that the night before.

Obstacle #2: WHAT DO I DO?

Don't know what seminars to do to help you get the most out of your career? Not sure what exercises to do to help you put on muscle and shed body fat? And supplements, well, there is always something new that’s being sold!

That's all understandable: there are just so many techniques, recommended by so many "personal development gurus." So, whose advice can you trust?

It is challenging. So instead of trying to sort through all the misinformation, stop right now. But this doesn't sound like it will do us any good, does it?

So how do you find the answers? Don’t make it hard. Model the success of others. There are many successful people past and present which can provide you a path to success. But, consistency of effort is key!

The greatest thing about success is that it leaves clues.  

If we pay close attention, we can pick up those clues. Find people, whether in person or in a video, who have achieved the type of extraordinary success you wish to achieve.

Find out what they did and model their behavior. It's really as easy as that.

Success Strategy #2: STUDY A SUCCESSFUL METHOD--AND FOLLOW IT.

As discussed, find someone who has achieved the great results you desire.

Learn from his or her "winning" actions.

If you follow a proven approach to education, health, nutrition, and fitness, you will achieve similar success.

Obstacle #3: I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ENERGY.

Do you wake up every morning feeling energized and knowing exactly what you will do that day?

Or do you rise feeling as tired as the night before and just wanting to go back to sleep?

Do you fear your day ahead?

This is a great example of the perceived problem--your lack of energy to achieve--being the ultimate solution. We might believe we're too exhausted to succeed, but in reality, we lack energy simply because we don't have a plan or exercise!

It's been scientifically shown that incorporating a daily plan and and exercise actually gives us more energy. Moderate levels of exercise can even help us sleep better at night. I

And, if we have a plan we are on our way to success.

Of course feeding ourselves with properly balanced protein- and carbohydrate-rich meals, will impact on our energy levels. Feeding our bodies every two to three hours throughout the day provides us with a stable, constant supply of nutrients required to be more energetic. We keep the metabolism going and avoid fat storage.

Success Strategy #3: MAKE A DAILY PLAN AND GIVE YOUR ENERGY A BOOST. Exercise and proper nutrition play a vital role in our energy levels. Planning for the day ahead allows us to perform at peak levels.  

Obstacle #4: I HATE SETTING GOALS.

We a need a clear vision. Goals come from a vision of what you want. Knowing you want to build a great future literally pulls you forward.  Just like a magnet, pulling you in the direction of success. 

Many people say they have goals but few people actually write them down.

If that's you, then don't worry. To really set effective personal development goals and ensure you'll reach them, you're going to have to learn the S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting technique.

This technique will help focus your efforts on exactly what you want to achieve.

S.M.A.R.T. stands for:

Specific--you must be specific about what you want. This relates to your vision. "I am in the process of..." to start your goal statement.

Measurable--how do you measure success You can't. So scale your goal to a specific number.  For example, I will exercise 3 times per week for one hour. By next year will will be earning X dollars per month.

Action-oriented--you will create an action list of things you must do to achieve success.

Realistic—my goals are realistic, yet stretches me, given my expectations and timeframe.

Time-conscience—a time line forces us to give our goals priority. You place positive pressure on yourself to achieve it.

Success Strategy #4: TRANSFORM YOUR SUCCESS GOALS. Using the S.M.A.R.T. technique will ensure you've set an effective and commanding goals.

 It will clarify your path to success and compel you to achieve it. Each and every morning you will wake up knowing exactly what you need to do to propel yourself forward.

Obstacle #5: THERE'S TOO MUCH RISK.

The physical transformation that takes place outside is really a metaphor for the mental transformation that takes place on the inside.

Not only should your chosen program change the way you look, it is just as important that it change the way you feel about yourself.

Every time we purchase the latest miracle pill, workout gadget, or eight-minute solution, we're just avoiding the process of a true transformation and trying to find a quick fix.

Let me share a little secret with you and save you time, money, and frustration.  That approach never works.

You will never feel a true sense of fulfillment with this type of "magic bullet" approach.

You must begin from the inside.  Changing your thoughts and beliefs.

We must challenge ourselves to find a solution that involves life in balance. Most importantly, strengthening our inner self, our minds.

Your chosen program should help you set commanding goals, transform your old, self-defeating thoughts into new, empowering beliefs.  You will then transform your patterns so that you produce results that take you closer to your goals.

You must be patient. So many people start and give up in days or weeks. Remember, you can't transform a lifetime of poor habits in a matter of days. Habits require repetition and practice. Start with mini habits and build from there. Don’t be the person that joins a gym on New Years and sets unrealistic goals and quits.

Success Strategy #5: FOLLOW AN INSIDE-OUT APPROACH.

To successfully transform your mind and body follow an approach that focuses first on increasing your confidence.  You will be more likely be able to create extraordinary results that will last a lifetime.

Obstacle #6: CAN I STAY COMMITTED?

There's a big difference between intentions and action. The difference is commitment.

Commitment to our goals leads us to achievement, even during the hard times. There is a clear relationship between motivation and commitment.  If you're really committed to making a change now, you need to create a sense of immediate importance.

Attaching reasons that are so compelling and so intense you must follow through are the key. Right now, ask yourself the following questions?  

What will this cost me if I don't change now?

What has the cost to me ben so far?

 What has been the impact on my health, fitness, self-confidence, and energy levels?

If I put off change, how will I feel about myself?

What is the impact on my life?

What will I gain as a result acting now?"

Your answers to these questions will help you gain insight into what you're committed to and why!

Success Strategy #6: IDENTIFY YOUR REASONS.

Clearly state your reasons for wanting to change. Make them so compelling you become truly committed to achieving your life goals.

Obstacle #7: I DON’T HAVE CONFIDENCE TO SUCCEED.

The accomplishment of our goals might seem overwhelming.  The immediate temptation is to give up before we even begin. Yet, we don't want to take action until our confidence levels are raised sufficiently. See the "catch"?

To gain confidence, you must break your success goal into measurable steps. This is where the S.M.A.R.T. goals come into paly.

As you take the small steps to success, the fear dissipates.  You will discover newfound confidence. Best of all, you will have achieved what you once thought was impossible. One micro-step at a time.

Success Strategy #7: MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS. Success is accomplished only through measuring your progress. You will never lack a sense of accomplishment, and you'll build your confidence with each and every step.

Obstacle #8: I NEED MORE MOTIVATION.

One way is to continually "see" what you want to become by having an image of the things you desire. If it is a better house, cut it out, and hang it someplace you're likely to see it over and over again throughout the day. Write down your reasons for wanting to achieve this goal with the photo.  Research shows that this is a meaningful method to maintain motivation and purpose.

By seeing the objectives you want to achieve in front of you, you'll be pointing your subconscious mind toward the realization of these results. This source of inspiration is a reminder of where you are going. Focus is brought to the center of your awareness.

Success Strategy #8: YOUR INSPIRATION.

Discover your inspiration. Look for inspiration in the success stories of others. People who have each reached their goals and are now helping others do the same. Look to legitimate sources on YouTube to help you.

Dr. Wolf specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).  He has been helping people change since 1987. This  active, structured form of behavioral medicine treatment that has proven to be highly effective for anxiety disorders. Unlike medication, CBT can produce lasting results in a limited period of time.  It is empowering to learn practical coping skills and methods to help you feel better.

Reach out today for a FREE no obligation 20-minute consultation to see if CBT and Dr. Wolf are a good fit for you. Talk to someone who can help today.

Final thoughts

Remember, building a better mind and body does not follow an absolute straight line.

Life is difficult. You have found the principle of turning literally any obstacle into a stepping stone for your success.  You can create the balanced life and success you so desire. You are turning your fear into energy to propel you forward.

You are committed to turning these once fearful obstacles into powerful success strategies.  You will begin to create extraordinary results to achieve success you didn’t believe possible.

If there are any other obstacles I overlooked, please comment below.  We can all learn from each other. 

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