What if Being Successful Has Made You Anxious?

Posted: October 25, 2020

I recently finished my MBA in Marketing this summer and one thing I noticed while I was in school was the pressure to succeed. Everyone was rightfully worried about getting a job after graduation, or they were already in high pressure jobs while they were in school.

Success Can Make You Anxious

Did you know success can make you anxious? Did you know success can be just as hard to handle for some folx as failures? When you are successful, it can lead to a whole new set of worries and anxieties. You may be worrying if you can continue at the level that you have reached. You may be wondering if your friends are still your true friends. If you are successful or have recently reached a new level of success, don’t let it make you so anxious that you cannot focus on what is good in your life. Let’s talk about getting so wrapped up in your success that you have trouble relaxing and appreciating where you are at now.

Relieve Your Anxiety

Some ways you can relieve your anxiety about your success are to put things into perspective. You may not have always been successful and I am sure your success came with some really hard work. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t take some time to stop and focus on yourself for a bit. What did you used to like to for fun? Reconnect with what used to bring you joy, even if it’s the simplest things like walking around in your backyard or in Piedmont Park. If there’s a part of you that is worried your success won’t last or you are not used to success, don’t keep fighting to succeed. However, give yourself a break sometimes to enjoy what you have overcome. Whether that means closing the laptop for a night every week or cooking a nice homemade meal for yourself, don’t be afraid to slow down. It’s okay to take a break from constantly going all the time. It’s okay to take a break from constantly being on point all the time. In fact, it can be healthy.

Put it in Perspective

Sometimes if we are new to success, we get in survival mode and are scared to slow down at all. Slowing down is important for mental health. If you have gotten to a point where you are successful you might be scared of slowing down. Taking a break to reset and relax can only help you in the long term. When you put things in perspective and see that it’s not sustainable to be going all the time, you will see that your mental health and wellness are important.

Reach Out for Help

So, take time for yourself. Sometimes taking time for yourself can going to therapy once a week or so to be able to explore your thoughts and feelings and process all the stuff that happens through the week. Having a therapist is having someone dependable to rely on to process all the burdens that come with success. Don’t let your success put you in a vacuum. Reach out to someone for help. You can reach me at 404-948.6186 or by email at katie@katieleikam.com.