Breaking Free: Confronting the Fears That Keep You from Success
“Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” — George Addair
How Fear Quietly Keeps You from Progress
Being afraid of what lurks beyond our comfort zone is real—leaving a feeling of uneasiness, hopelessness, and a loss of control. A lack of foresight and flexibility within our comfort zone leads to stagnation, incompetency, and extinction. Thus, fears impede progress and success, often stemming from self-doubt, uncertainty, or past experiences.
These fears paralyze decision-making, hinder creativity, and limit opportunities for growth.
My fears have held me back plenty, and overcoming them has been challenging, to say the least. However, knowing that failure is never an option, I constantly ask what is one step I can take right now to move me in the direction I want. Remember, change begins with just one single step!
Here are the most common types of fears that hold people back:
1. Fear of Failure (Atychiphobia)
What it is: The fear of making mistakes or falling short of expectations.
How it holds us back: It stifles risk-taking, limits ambition and feeds over-analysis.
Example:
• Turning down exciting opportunities to avoid potential setbacks
• Overthinking every decision, afraid of messing up
I challenge my fear of failure, knowing that learning and growth are only realized through trial and error, boosting self-confidence. I’ve relocated eight times in my career, and each move carried that familiar fear of falling short, but each experience made me stronger and wiser.
How to break free: Reframe failure as a valuable lesson. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.
2. Fear of Rejection
What it is: Anxiety about being judged, excluded, or dismissed.
How it holds us back: It silences ideas, shrinks your voice, and limits connections.
Examples:
• Not pitching ideas for fear of rejection
• Avoiding public speaking or networking
Due to abandonment and abuse, my fear of rejection has held me back from pursuing relationships as well as career and business opportunities, creating anxiety, frustration, and emptiness.
How to break free: Recognize your intrinsic value and build resilience. External validation is temporary; internal belief is transformative.
3. Fear of Success
What it is: The fear of the changes, scrutiny, or responsibility that success brings.
How it holds us back: Self-sabotage, procrastination, or declining opportunities for growth.
Examples:
• Delaying key projects because they could lead to promotions
• Worrying about how success could alter your relationships
My fear of success comes from knowing it will bring about change. That change will result in doing things I have never done before, propelling me into unchartered territories and resulting in fear of not knowing where I may end up.
How to break free: Identify the limiting beliefs you associate with success and shift your perspective to its positive impact.
4. Fear of Change
What it is: Reluctance to step outside your comfort zone.
How it holds us back: It traps you in outdated routines and blocks innovation.
Examples:
• Staying in an unfulfilling job out of fear of uncertainty
• Resisting new technologies or processes
As I get older, my fear of change grows. Let’s face it, staying within our comfort zone brings familiarity and comfort, yet it limits learning and growth. So, rather than fear change, I’ve learned to embrace it!
How to break free: View change as growth. Every step into the unknown brings new possibilities.
5. Fear of Criticism
What it is: Worry about being judged for your actions or ideas.
How it holds us back: It limits creativity and deters you from taking risks.
Examples:
• Holding back ideas that could transform projects
• Avoiding leadership roles to escape scrutiny
I grew up in a strict religious home; where criticism and judgment were commonplace. Thus, constantly being told, do as I say, not as I do, didn’t leave room for error or remorse.
How to break free: Understand that criticism often reveals more about the critic than you. Take feedback objectively, not personally.
6. Fear of Inadequacy
What it is: The belief that you’re not good enough to succeed.
How it holds us back: Creates imposter syndrome and stalls ambition.
Examples:
• Doubting your readiness for promotions
• Struggling with perfectionism
Having experienced abuse growing up and being told I will never amount to anything stuck. I still struggle with perfectionism to this day, but I remind myself that I am a work in progress, and with consistency, I can improve upon anything.
How to break free: Shift your focus to what you’ve achieved. Recognize your strengths and use them as fuel.
7. Fear of Losing Control
What it is: Anxiety about unpredictable outcomes.
How it holds us back: Leads to micromanaging, avoiding delegation, and missing collaborative opportunities.
Examples:
• Refusing to involve others for fear they’ll mess things up
• Avoiding risks to maintain control
Due to abandonment, I have trust issues. Rather than taking a chance on others and being disappointed, I grew accustomed to trusting myself to get the job done. However, I have found this can alienate others.
How to break free: Accept that uncertainty is part of the journey. Focus on what you can control and let go of the rest.
8. Fear of Responsibility
What it is: Worry about the pressure that comes with responsibility.
How it holds us back: Causes hesitation when pursuing leadership roles or ambitious goals.
Examples:
• Declining promotions to avoid added responsibilities
• Avoiding entrepreneurship due to workload fears
For many years, I held back from starting my coaching practice for fear of being thrust into the spotlight and being responsible for fulfilling the expectations of others.
How to break free: Break large responsibilities into manageable steps. Growth comes from learning along the way.
9. Fear of Being Vulnerable
What it is: Reluctance to show weakness or ask for help.
How it holds us back: Erects walls between you and authentic connections.
Examples:
• Hiding emotions to maintain a “strong” persona
• Avoiding asking for help when overwhelmed
Practicing detachment was what I thought best to navigate life’s journey. However, I discovered that vulnerability is how common ground and human connection are realized, essential for belonging and growth.
How to break free: Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. It builds trust and authentic relationships.
10. Fear of the Unknown
What it is: Anxiety about unpredictable outcomes.
How it holds us back: It keeps you stuck in routines that limit growth.
Examples:
• Avoiding career changes due to fear of risks
• Staying in familiar yet stagnant situations
Because of my fear of the unknown, I stayed with my current employer despite the lack of career advancement opportunities rather than risk starting my own business.
How to break free: Shift your focus from what could go wrong to what could go right. Growth lives on the other side of uncertainty.
Relevant Statistics on Fear and Its Impact on Success
Fear can be a significant barrier to achieving personal and professional growth. The following statistics highlight how fears like self-doubt, failure, and imposter syndrome impact productivity, confidence, and overall success.
Fear of Failure and Missed Opportunities
• A study by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (2022) found that 33% of adults fear failure to the extent that it stops them from pursuing new ventures or opportunities (Kelley et al., 2022).
• Impact: This fear often results in risk aversion and reduced innovation, limiting career advancement and business growth.
Fear of Criticism and Leadership Avoidance
• Research conducted by The American Institute of Stress (2020) reported that 35% of employees avoid taking leadership roles due to fear of public scrutiny or criticism (AIS, 2020).
• Impact: This hesitancy can prevent organizations from identifying emerging leaders and stifle creative problem-solving.
Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt
• A study published in the Journal of Behavioral Science found that 70% of individuals experience imposter syndrome at least once in their lives (Clance & Imes, 1978).
• Impact: This persistent self-doubt can lead to anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout, limiting long-term career success.
Fear of Rejection and Innovation
• A report by LinkedIn Learning (2021) found that over 50% of professionals hesitated to share innovative ideas at work due to fear of rejection or criticism (LinkedIn Learning, 2021).
• Impact: When employees hesitate to speak up, organizations miss out on valuable contributions.
Final Thought
Fears are a natural part of the human experience, but they don’t have to hold you captive. Within every fear lies a lesson, a chance to grow, and an opportunity to become stronger.
When you take a moment to listen to what your fears are telling you—and choose to move forward anyway—you unlock the power within yourself to create something extraordinary.
You are capable of more than you know, and every small, brave step you take brings you closer to the life you’re meant to live.
Transformation doesn’t come from being fearless—it comes from feeling the fear and rising anyway. Trust yourself. You’re ready!!
@Margaret Williams - George Addair was a smart man and you are a smart woman!
"When you take a moment to listen to what your fears are telling you—and choose to move forward anyway—you unlock the power within yourself to create something extraordinary."
Love this philosophy! And as I tell my patients in these instances. If/when you move move foward to the other side of your anxiety and eventually after you hang there for a bit and get used to it - and you think the movement wasn't worth it - you can always go back to other side to what you already know.
Great article!
Great article. Reminds my a little of a course on communication skills I had years ago
The coach told us: "Embarras yourself everyday!". When I became a technical writer, I made it a habbit to be the guy in the meeting to ask the "stupid" questions nobody dared to ask. I don't regret obtaining this mindset. Worked wonders on my confidence and got rid of some anxieties.