How Anxiety Can Keep Success Away and How to Fix It
Posted on September 14, 2023 by Mamta Sharma, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
Success may feel elusive when anxiety takes center stage. Let's explore what it feels like and how to fix it.
The Paralyzing Effect of Anxiety
Fear of Failure: Anxiety often stems from the fear of failure. It convinces us that taking risks is dangerous and that we should stick to what is comfortable and familiar. This fear of failure can deter us from pursuing our goals and dreams.
Negative Self-Talk: Anxiety tends to amplify negative self-talk. It tells us that we are not good enough, smart enough, or capable enough to succeed. This self-doubt can erode our confidence and self-esteem.
Procrastination: Anxiety can lead to procrastination. When we are anxious about a task or project, we may delay taking action, hoping that the anxiety will subside. Unfortunately, this delay often results in missed opportunities.
Overthinking: Anxiety encourages overthinking and rumination. We dwell on past mistakes or worry incessantly about the future. This mental preoccupation can prevent us from being present and making the most of the opportunities before us.
Anxiety and Success (or the absence of it!)
Anxiety and success are intertwined in a complex dance. While anxiety can hinder our path to success, it can also serve as a powerful motivator. A healthy level of anxiety can push us to prepare, work harder, and strive for excellence. The key lies in managing anxiety effectively to harness its positive aspects while mitigating its destructive effects.
Strategies to Overcome Anxiety and Unlock Success
You may come across the power of mindfulness, meditation, and positive affirmations to overcome anxiety to bolster your self-esteem. All those are good ideas but sometimes they may fail you.
Anxiety is usually the result of not knowing how you would deal with a possible future situation. Here’s how can overcome it:
Set Realistic Goals: Unrealistic or overly ambitious goals can make you anxious. Break your goals into smaller, achievable steps. Celebrate each milestone you reach, boosting your confidence and reducing anxiety.
Plan for the future situation(s): Make a solid action plan to achieve your goal or deal with the anticipated situation. Chunk the plan into the smallest steps and do one thing at a time.
Develop faith/confidence: Sometimes, anxiety may attack despite having a plan. In such cases, you may need to develop the right mental state, usually faith and confidence in your plan and your ability to come up with new plans whenever old ones don’t work.
Seek Professional Help: If anxiety is severely impacting your life and hindering your ability to pursue success, consider seeking help from a mental health professional.
Success is a journey, and anxiety can be one of the many roadblocks along the way. However, it’s essential to recognize that anxiety is not an insurmountable obstacle. With the right strategies and mindset, you can manage anxiety effectively and use it as a source of motivation rather than a hindrance.
Success is not the absence of anxiety; it’s the ability to navigate it with resilience and determination.
