Why your success can get in the way of success!

I remember when I first started my professional journey more than two decades ago, I had no clients of my own, no reputation and no ongoing contracts. I didn’t have much to lose which made decision making feel much simpler and safer. Among the many barriers to success, there’s one which rarely leaves traces and is hard to detect. It is success itself!

Complacency can lead to inertia and stagnation

Reaching our goals is a reason to celebrate, no doubt about that. But what happens if we rest on our laurels, spend time savouring past successes and forget building upon them? Complacency may lead to inertia and eventually stagnation. There is, however, an additional reason why success can get in the way of success. It’s fear!

One reason success gets in the way of success is the fear of losing your gains.

When we reach a satisfactory level of success, we may cease to experiment and try out new things. We become more hesitant to make bold decisions and to take calculated risks. You see, along with success come reputation, social status and material goods. That’s when the fear of losing them sets in. Decision-making no longer feels safe.

Many of us have witnessed great success achieved by professionals at a very young age. Not having much to lose can lead to leaps. Fear, on the other hand, can turn leaps into strides, strides into steps and, eventually, halt steps altogether and lead into stillness.

 Fear can turn leaps into strides, strides into steps and, eventually, halt steps altogether

That’s something to consider when coaching successful people who have plateaued.

*This article was first published on Linked Pulse. You can also read on Linked In here.