Everyone wants to achieve some measure of success in life. But there are some people who are afraid of taking the risks needed to achieve the rewards of success, which limits their potential and actually kills the thrill of living a full life.

If you think it’s the fear of failure that holds people back, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, it’s the fear of success that allows us to sabotage our hopes of achieving a particular goal. In fact, there are some people who, when they are just on the brink of something wonderful, suddenly walk away or end their quest without explanation.

This fear - the fear of success - is altogether different than the fear of failure, yet it holds the same power when the going seems to get too tough, or when the light at the end of the tunnel is clear, but the thrill is more in the journey than the final destination.

If you experience a fear of failure (or of success), there are several things you can do to fight that fear. Below is a five-step self-evaluation process that will help you figure out what you’re afraid of so you can fight the fear head-on. 

1. Determine what it is that is holding you back. What is the ultimate fear?

2. Re-examine your life and try to pinpoint the first time you experienced this type of fear.

3. Talk with a friend or a professional who can be objective about your situation and shed light on what’s really getting in the way of your goal.

4. Make a list of your previous “failures.”  Write down what stopped you from succeeding and note the reasons why you consider these to be failures.

5. Review your list with an honest assessment about your fear. Self-realization is important at this point. Once you determine why you failed, you can then understand the fear behind it. Was the goal too difficult to reach (fear of failure)?  Or, perhaps the success was too difficult to handle (fear of success)?

True fear is a genuine feeling that something negative will happen, not a make believe excuse to avoid taking action. It comes in all shapes and sizes and can lead to anxiety attacks, panic attacks, generalized anxiety, and the overall belief that reaching for that brass ring will yield nothing, or worse, doom. But, by following the five steps outlined above, you can fight the fear of failure (or success) head-on - and win!

As a member of 5 Minute Self-Help, you can get the personalized support you need to succeed. For just $5, you get access to great tools and resources and unlimited coaching. There’s nothing to fear about that!