Tag Archives: fear


I had a chat with a friend last week and we did catch up on a lot of topics. We attended university together and saw each other once or twice in a year.

The last meeting we had, we had talked about our plans for the next phase of our businesses and discussed strategies to ensure we covered at least eighty percent of our projections.

As we chatted over drinks, I asked her why she had not taken the steps outlined and why she was hesitant. She took a deep breath and sighed resignedly; this gave me concern.

“Kemi, I am afraid. I am afraid all my plans will work out and might probably become too successful. Fact is, I am not sure I am mentally ready for that kind of success yet” she explained.

Was I shocked? That was an understatement!! I was too shocked that it took me almost five minutes before I could utter a word.

I have heard of people who didn’t take some steps that can advance them in life due to fear of failure, fear of taking risks; but never had I imagined I would know someone who would be afraid to succeed!

Fear, whose acronym is false evidence appearing real is nothing more than an illusion to keep you safe. Safe from what? Safe from the perceived danger that is probably just a figment of our imagination.

“Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the “someday I’ll do this or that” philosophy – Denis Waitley.

Why would anyone fear the very thing they have ever wanted and so much too? What is the point of toiling day and night if it’s not to be a success story? I believe the fear of the hard work that would go into the task is what really holds people down from forging ahead with their plans.

Hard work can be terrifying as it means putting all that you are into it with little or no success guaranteed. It requires lots of discipline, a can-do spirit and tenacity.

How many are willing to go all the way; burn the candles at both ends or dedicate themselves to their skills?

Which is why hard work is not for everyone and only a few become successful because they are willing to dedicate themselves to their skill.

My conclusion is this: we are not afraid of success as it were, we are only afraid that maybe, after putting in the works and doing everything we can, that maybe, we might not still attain that success and exactly the way we have envisioned it to be.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Fear can overtake us, but our God is all-powerful and will offer us all the strength we need to become who He wants us to become. He is the one who can exceed our expectations and show Himself faithful to our cause.