Success is a strange beast. It’s often something we strive for, but sometimes, without even realizing it, we push it away. Why? According to psychologists, it’s because failure can feel safer.
In this article, I’m going to reveal seven telltale signs that you might be unconsciously avoiding success.
These signs aren’t always obvious, but once you recognize them, you can start to question your self-limiting behaviors and overcome your fear of success.
Understanding this psychological phenomenon isn’t just about personal growth—it can also transform the way you run your business.
After all, how can your company reach its full potential if its leader is unconsciously afraid of success?
Stay tuned as we delve into this intriguing topic. You might just discover that the biggest obstacle to your success is, well, you.
1) You shy away from opportunities
Let’s start with a self-check. Have you ever found yourself shying away from opportunities that could potentially lead to success?
Maybe you passed on a major project or turned down an invitation to network with influential people in your industry.
According to psychologists, this could be a sign of unconsciously avoiding success.
The rationale is simple: if you don’t take the opportunity, you can’t fail.
It’s a common defense mechanism, and it stems from our fear of the unknown.
We’d rather stick with our comfort zone—where failure is less likely—than venture into unfamiliar territory where success lurks… along with the risk of failure.
Next time an opportunity comes knocking, don’t just ignore it. Ask yourself: am I avoiding this because I’m genuinely not interested, or because I’m unconsciously afraid of success?
This conscious reflection could be the first step towards breaking free of your self-imposed limitations.
2) You procrastinate on important tasks
I’ll admit it – I’ve been guilty of this one myself.
There was a time when I was offered the opportunity to lead an important project for my business. It was a big deal, a chance to really make a significant impact.
But instead of jumping right into it, I found myself dragging my feet.
I’d constantly put off starting the work, finding all sorts of less important tasks to fill my time. Deep down, I feared the responsibility that came with success.
If I succeeded, it would mean more expectations in the future. If I failed, well, that was a thought I didn’t even want to entertain.
This sort of procrastination can be a sign that you’re unconsciously avoiding success.
You might convince yourself that you’re just too busy or that the timing isn’t right, but in reality, you could be holding back because failure feels safer.
If you find yourself doing this, it’s important to recognize it for what it is and push past it.
Remember: success often requires stepping out of your comfort zone and facing challenges head-on.
3) You downplay your achievements
When you accomplish something, do you find it hard to accept the praise and recognition? Do you tend to downplay your achievements, attributing them to luck rather than your own hard work and skills?
This is actually a psychological phenomenon known as ‘Impostor Syndrome’.
Studies show that around 70% of people have experienced these feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy at some point in their lives.
Ironically, it’s often high-achieving individuals who are most prone to Impostor Syndrome.
They believe they’ve only succeeded due to luck, timing, or by deceiving others into thinking they’re more intelligent and competent than they believe themselves to be.
If this resonates with you, it might be a sign that you’re unconsciously avoiding success.
After all, if you can’t acknowledge your own accomplishments, how can you strive for bigger ones? It’s important to reflect on this behavior and work towards accepting and celebrating your own successes.
4) You’re always ready with a plan B
Now, don’t get me wrong: having a backup plan is smart. It’s a safety net, there to catch you if things don’t go as planned.
But, if you find yourself spending more time and energy on your plan B than on your plan A, it might be a sign that you’re unconsciously avoiding success.
Why? Because it suggests that you’re expecting your primary plan—the one that likely leads to greater success—to fail.
Instead of fully investing in your main goal, you’re diverting your focus and resources to a safer, less risky alternative.
This behavior can stem from a fear of failure or a fear of success—both of which can lead you to unconsciously sabotage your own progress.
Next time you’re devising a plan B, try to ensure it doesn’t detract from your plan A. Your main goal deserves your full focus and effort.
5) You have a habit of self-sabotage
A few years back, I had a habit of self-sabotage. Just when things started to go really well in my business, I’d make a mistake—sometimes a big one—that would set me back.
It was like I had an internal switch that flipped whenever I got close to significant success.
Looking back, I realize that I was unconsciously avoiding success because failure felt safer. It was familiar territory, and there was less pressure and fewer expectations.
Self-sabotage can take many forms: procrastination, making mistakes, creating conflicts, or setting unrealistic goals. It’s often a sign of a fear of success.
If you’re doing well and suddenly find yourself messing up for no apparent reason, take a step back and reflect. You might be unconsciously avoiding success out of fear of what it could bring.
Recognizing this pattern is the first step towards overcoming it.
6) You find comfort in predictability
Change can be scary. It’s a venture into the unknown, filled with uncertainty.
That’s why many of us find comfort in predictability and routine.
If you’re always choosing the safe, predictable path over new opportunities, it might indicate that you’re unconsciously avoiding success.
Success often requires taking risks and embracing change. Avoiding these can keep you stuck in your comfort zone, where failure feels safer because it’s familiar.
Next time you’re faced with a choice between the predictable path or a new opportunity, ask yourself: am I choosing safety because it’s really the best decision, or am I unconsciously avoiding the potential for success?
Your answer might surprise you.
7) Your self-talk is filled with negativity
The way we talk to ourselves matters. If your inner dialogue is filled with self-doubt and negativity, it can hinder your progress towards success.
Negative self-talk like “I can’t do this,” or “I’m not good enough,” often stems from a fear of failure, but it can also be a sign that you’re unconsciously avoiding success.
Our thoughts shape our reality. If you constantly tell yourself that you’re not capable of success, you may unknowingly inhibit your potential.
Consider working on turning your negative self-talk into a positive and encouraging dialogue.
It could be the key to unlocking the success you’ve been holding yourself back from.
Final thoughts: It’s all about self-awareness
Understanding our actions and behaviors is often a journey into the intricate labyrinth of our psyche. And when it comes to success, our own fears and insecurities can sometimes be the biggest roadblocks.
Fear of failure is a common sentiment, but as we’ve highlighted, fear of success can be just as limiting.
It may seem counterintuitive, but the safety and familiarity of failure can sometimes feel more comfortable than the uncertainty and responsibility that success brings.
Psychologists suggest that self-awareness is crucial in overcoming this fear.
Recognizing patterns like shying away from opportunities, procrastination, downplaying achievements, focusing on plan B, self-sabotage, seeking predictability, and negative self-talk can be indicative of this fear.
Self-imposed limitations can only hold you back if you let them.
Recognizing these signs is the first step towards overcoming them.
As you journey towards success, remember to celebrate your achievements, embrace new opportunities, and most importantly, believe in yourself.
You are capable of more than you think.
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