What do snakes, spiders and success all have in common? If you guessed "sources of fear" or "things we avoid" you are absolutely right. While we can easily understand recoiling from snakes and spiders, it seems a bit strange to actively avoid success. Isn't success something you highly desire? Or do you?

How do you know if you have success phobia? First consider its definition: "The disturbance of a person's ability to comfortably handle achievement." Secondly, look at the three areas where success phobia is commonly seen:
• Avoidance of the final step to success
• Downplaying of successful accomplishment
• Ambition without goal setting

Lastly, read the five statements below. If any of these sound a bit too familiar you may be keeping success just out of your reach.

#1 That's not really me" or "That was luck.....a fluke."
Downplaying your abilities or maintaining a false modesty does not build your personal power, the quality that says you are capable and worthy of all that you have achieved. High personal power is a foundational quality for success.

#2 "I just can't seem to set a goal."
Failure to set goals guarantees that no goal will be achieved; thereby avoiding the feared perils of success.

#3 "When I get ahead (almost to the finish line, close to achieving a goal), I choke."
This is most commonly seen with athletes as they fail to close out a tennis match or make the clutch putt. This happens when you get face-to-face with attaining something for which you have been yearning for and working towards.

#4 If it's meant to be.... or "The perfect (job, person, opportunity) will come along."
One of my clients told me that he did not need to extol his virtues, strengths and abilities because they would speak for themselves. This is a passive approach increasing the odds for failure.

#5 "I have too many interests to choose one" or "too many goals."
This effectively guarantees non-action and keeps you in control of your own destiny which is not lined up for success.

Now let's assume that you have success phobia and are wondering why you have it. Remember the part of the definition that said "comfortably handle achievement?" It is not uncommon to feel uncomfortable as you get closer to success because success often signals change. Subconsciously or even consciously you may wonder whether your success will bring greater responsibility, more pressure, higher exposure, increased standards of performance or less control of time and energy. Success may bring external demands from others and self-created and self-imposed expectations for the new successful you.

So, how do you get rid of success phobia? The fact that you are now aware of it is a huge first step. Next, explore your underlying reasons or the assumptions you are making around success that create anxiety or fear. You may see how silly your fears are by bringing them out of the darkness into the light. Lastly, begin to focus on creating a new success story where feelings of anxiety or fear around loss of control are seen as an exciting part of your growth and necessary steps on your path to success.