One of the strangest phenomena that I encounter in my work with athletes is the fear of success many seem to have at one point or another in their careers. Success is nothing if not the ultimate goal for athletes. Hours of training, discipline, and sacrifice are dedicated to achieving peak performance. For some however the thought of success triggers anxiety, self-sabotage, and avoidance behaviors. Unfortunately these can be conscious or subconscious behaviors. Understanding and overcoming this psychological hurdle can be crucial for athletes hoping to to reach their full potential in sport.
The fear of success is a deep-seated anxiety about the consequences of achieving one’s goals. Unlike the fear of failure, which is easily understandable and stems from avoiding disappointment and embarrassment, the fear of success involves worries about the pressures, expectations, and changes that come with accomplishment. This fear can manifest in many different ways, including procrastination, underperformance, injury-prone behavior, or an inability to sustain high levels of success. Ultimately the fear of success stems from a fear of change and movement towards the unknown. I recently came across the phrase ‘but if I succeed everything changes’. This is a great way to sum up the fear of success.
Consider an athlete who possesses more talent than his teammates. Doesn’t matter the sport, pick your favorite. Instead of playing at their best, they may limit themselves to stick with the pack. The status quo is more comfortable than the unknown. If they play too well they may be selected for another, more elite team. They may not know anyone on this new team. Instead, they self-sabotage to maintain their current position. This can happen at any level, a pewee athlete afraid of going up in levels, a high school athlete afraid of a successful recruiting process, an Olympic hopeful underperforming to avoid the pressures of the global stage. For an athlete to change a behavior it requires three crucial steps – Awareness, Acceptance, and Action.
Awareness
Identifying the fear of success in athletes can be challenging, as it often mimics as other issues like lack of motivation or burnout. An athlete high in fear of failure might have inconsistency in performance where they excelling in practice but struggling in competition. They may intentionally or unintentionally self-sabotage themselves on the verge of a breakthrough. An athlete struggling with fear of success might procrastinate or avoid training or preparation altogether. Other signs of this fear is uncofortability with positive recognition or praise and increased anxiety following a success.
Acceptance
Athletes experiencing this fear of success often feel isolated because it is so paradoxical. To commit to the life of being an athlete while having a fear of achieving success in your sport. It is important for an athlete to be able to first recognize their fear of success but also to accept it. Many athletes struggle with the fear of success at some point or another in their career. Change almost necessarily accompanies success and most of us are afraid of change to some extent. There are some common reasons most athletes find themselves fearing success in addition to the idea of change. Success often comes with increased expectations and pressure to maintain it. Often an athletes success may elevate them higher than those around them. This can be alienating for an athlete on a team of their peers. These are just a few reasons most athletes fear success, but it is important to recognize that what they fear or what is uncomfortable is not success itself but what comes along with it.
Action
Athletes can take proactive steps to confront and manage their fear of success. By becoming aware of and accepting this fear, an athlete has done a great deal of the work. Now it is time to use a few tried and true tools to get the job done. There are a few different tactics an athlete can take to overcome their fear of failure. One of the most useful tools I have as a mental performance coach is cognitive restructuring. By shifting an athletes mindset around success, from viewing success as a burden to seeing it as an opportunity for growth and fulfillment, we can turn a fear into growth. We can also adjust the focus of the athlete from outcomes to the process. Many athletes view success and failure based on the outcome of big performances. Instead we can zoom out and view and turn these season outcomes into a longer process towards a successful career. Finally, a strong support system can help alleviate any fear. Knowing that coaches, teammates, and mentors will support an athlete regardless of performance can help a them compete with less anxiety and stress.
Success should be a source of motivation, not fear. By understanding the psychological barriers that contribute to the fear of success and actively working to overcome them, athletes can break free from self-imposed limitations and fully embrace their potential. The journey to greatness involves not just physical preparation but also mental resilience—conquering the fear of success is a vital step in that process.
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