If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve wrestled with the same friendly foes I do: fear of success and fear of completion. Yes, you read that right—two fears somehow managed to do a tango in my entrepreneurial life. While most people sprint towards the finish line, I prefer to saunter, tea in hand, occasionally pausing to ponder if I should even cross it.
Being a tireless serial entrepreneur, you’d think I’d have this whole success thing down by now. But success? It’s a sneaky little beast. You chase it, it runs, you finally catch up, and then… “Oh no, what now?” is the first thought that smacks me in the face.
Fear of Success: The Monster Under My Bed & Couch!!
Let’s be clear: fear of success isn’t some dramatic, over-the-top villain that shows up twirling a mustache. It’s more like that quiet voice that whispers, “What if you actually succeed, and then… everything changes?” As a lover of structure (and a good cup of Earl Grey), change terrifies me.
It’s the idea of leveling up, expectations growing, and—heaven forbid—people recognizing you as successful. You see, once you succeed, you have to do it again and then again. And each time, the stakes feel higher. It’s like trying to find that perfect balance of tea leaves to water ratio—anything too much, and it’s just too overwhelming!
The Long Road to Never-Ending Projects: Fear of Completion
Ah, my dear friend, fear of completion. It’s not that I don’t want to finish things; it’s more that finishing them brings an odd sense of finality. And what if I didn’t nail it? What if it’s not perfect? Most importantly, what if I finish and everyone notices? Then there’s no hiding behind the excuse, “Oh, I’m still working on it.”
But here’s the thing: I keep going despite both of these fears. I push through and do it with gusto (and probably too much caffeine from tea 😲). Because even though the finish line is scary, not crossing it feels worse.
My Secrets to Pushing Through Tea🫖, Humor, and Persistence
When I feel paralyzed by these fears, I take a moment to breathe and pour another cup of tea. Like a good brew, tea reminds me that life can’t be rushed. The steeping process is necessary. You don’t just dip the bag and hope for an intense flavor in 10 seconds; it takes time. And that’s how I approach my fears. I steep in them, then pour them out and move forward.
My dry sense of humor helps, too. When I catch myself spiraling into a fear of “what ifs” or avoiding that last 10% of a project, I laugh it off. Because let’s be honest—what’s the worst that can happen? I could fail… or succeed. Either way, I’ll still have my tea.
Why You Can Do This Too!
If you’re sitting there nodding, sipping your tea, and wondering how you can push through these fears, let me tell you—it’s possible. Don’t let the fear of success or completion stop you from greatness. We don’t have to let them rule the roost. We can be in the driver’s seat, fear buckled in the back with no say in our direction.
Keep showing up, pushing through, and, for goodness’ sake, keep the tea flowing. No matter how scary success or completion feels, giving up is not an option. After all, if I can do this despite my fears, you can, too.
Now, excuse me while I return to that project 😉 I’ve been “working on” for a reasonable time.
The End? Maybe… but probably not.
Want more introvert inspiration delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our email list and get exclusive access to free printables, self-care tips!
