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Are You Afraid Of Success?
by M Adley

For the following items, if the statement is mostly true for you, select true. If it is mostly false, select false.

Enter your name:

What Your Results Mean (Highlight The Text In The Box):

Normal scores for men are 0-7, anything 8 and over indicate a fear of success.
Normal scores for women are 0-10, anything 11 and over indicate a fear of success.
If you scored in the high range, you may benefit from taking a close look at yourself.  If you are young, say in your mid 20’s, the chances are you will grow more comfortable with success as you gain more experience.  It is not uncommon for people who are in school or just beginning their careers to feel uncomfortable with the recognition that comes with success.  They might feel that they don’t deserve it.  But as time goes on, most people come to realize they do deserve the recognition every bit as much as their colleagues.

If age and experience has not helped you feel comfortable with the idea of success, you should make a conscious effort to deal with this self-defeating tendency.  You might make a list of the situations in which your fears are holding you back.  Then make a list of the negative consequences of success that concern you.  Often simply having a clear conceptualization of the problem will help you get past it.  If need be, though, try making a deliberate effort to confront every situation on your first list and then record how many events on your second list actually occur.
Do You Have A Fear Of Success?

Fear of success is a real problem for some people, as is the related problem of fear of failure. Both have the same effect-they prevent people from making their best effort.  If a student gives less than his best effort on a term paper, then he can reassure himself that he didn't really try when he receives a C.  If an athlete slacks off in training, then she can rationalize that her opponent was in better shape-but not more skillful-when she loses the match.  For some people, when opportunity comes knocking, they tip toe out the back door! (con't)
So do you have a fear of success?

Take this simple quiz to find out.  Simply answer the questions truthfully and click "submit".  After viewing your score, return to this page to analyze your results.
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1. I am sometimes afraid to do things as well as I know I could.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
2. I am prone to worry that I may antagonize others if my work is of superior quality.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
3. I never worry about the possibility of being disliked by others for doing well at something.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
4. I sometimes do less than my very best so that no one will be threatened.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
5. I often worry about the possibility that others will think I'm a "show off".
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
6. I never worry about the possibility that others may think I work too hard.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
7. I would find it nerve-wracking to be regarded as one of the best in my field.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
8. I seem to be more anxious after succeeding at something than after failing at something.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
9. I would worry that others might think I was peculiar or strange if I were too devoted to my work.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
10. I have occasionally deliberately done average or mediocre work in order to make sure that someone else would do better than I.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
11. I sometimes worry that others will expect too much of me.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
12. I usually set goals for myself that are lower than what I am capable of reaching.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
13. I seem to be drawn to activities that are not very challenging.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
14. I do not seem to enjoy doing superior work as much as I feel that I should.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
15. I do not like competing with others if there is a possibility that hard feelings toward me may develop.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
16. I worry about the possibility of being criticized by my friends or associates for being too involved with my own work.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
17. I sometimes worry that I may become too well informed for my own good.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
18. I never worry about the possibility that friendships may have to be sacrificed in order to accomplish certain tasks or kinds of work.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
19. If I were outstanding at something, I would worry about the possibility of others making fun of me behind my back.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b
 
20. I do not worry about the personal feelings of others when it comes to getting something important done.
  (a) True
  (b) False
a b