NickVenturella.com 6-18-22 - Fear of Success

Fear of Success

June 18, 2022

Happy Father’s Day weekend to all the dads out there.

Today I want to address success. If you’re anything like me you sometimes have fear of success vs. fear of failure. I often think, “what if I am successful at whatever I endeavor to do, and then I’m expected to continue to produce at that level consistently…can I consistently maintain success like that or was it a fluke?”

It turns into a bit of imposter syndrome, and extra pressure to continue to produce for fear that I will let others down if I can’t continue to produce to a perceived quality or quantity level.

Let’s unpack this…

First off, in this scenario I’m not worried about failure in my pursuit of my craft – the actual outcome of the work I’m producing. That’s a good thing. Feeling confident in my own abilities to continue to iterate and improve on my craft as motivation for my own curiosity about the subject matter is ideal. 

The issue comes in when what I’ve created begins to hit a critical mass by resonating with a group of people (larger than just me or my immediate family and friends), and then I perceive that this critical mass now has expectations for me and my craft. I self-impose pressure and stress by worrying about whether or not whatever I produce next will live up to the masses’ expectations in a way that will continue to resonate with them, and encourage them to continue having interest in what I produce.

So how do you overcome that fear of success?

Release expectations.  

For many, letting go of perceived or real expectations can be tough or a bit tricky. However, with practice, like anything else, you can build a positive habit of not worrying about what others expect of you.Quick side note: I’m not saying don’t care about what other people think of you at all, but rather, I’m suggesting that when it comes to your work, or your art/craft, do your best, make it as great as you can and then let go of it beyond that. However it lands with others is how it will land with them. Things you do won’t appeal to everyone all the time, even those who enjoyed whatever you produced previously. Although, you’ll likely also attract some new people to whatever you’ve most recently produced who weren’t overly interested with your previous work. My point being that the universe has a way of balancing things even if we don’t fully understand it.

So, don’t fear success. Do what you do. Keep investing in yourself and improving. Be positive and let go of needless or unhealthy expectations. 

----------UPDATES:

My family's online art/apparel/gifts shop project is fully underway now. Here are some of the latest designs available:Greatest Dad of All Time mugHeadstock T-shirtVixen women's tank top----------My May 2022 Root Cause Records EP album, “Midwest Heartache,” is available on all major streaming platforms (Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, etc.).Thank you to those who have purchased the album already! Your monetary contribution helps me afford the ability to keep creating for you!

If interested, and you would like to, you can purchase the accompanying illustrated story and lyric book of "Midwest Heartache," it's available here, and includes a link to download a digital copy of the entire album.

"Midwest Heartache" book image----------

Here's the latest upcycled guitar for sale in my Etsy shop - nickVguitars.com:The Alabama Moonshine guitar----------Upcoming music performances:Schuster's FarmDeerfield, WI​Fri. July 22, 2022​6 - 8:30pmThe Cider FarmMadison, WI​Sat. July 23, 2022​6 - 8:30pmThe Lone Girl Brewing Co.Waunakee, WI​Sun. August 7, 2022​3 - 5pmDeerfield Church FestivalFiremen’s Park5 Park Dr. Deerfield, WI.(One block off of Main Street in the middle of town)Sat. August 20, 202212pm - 1:30pm

----------

Stay positive. Stay healthy. Be kind.Sincerely,Nick VenturellaCreative Professional, andco-founder of Eleven Music Career CenterNickVenturella.comnickVmusic.netGeminisRival.comnickVguitars.comFacebookYouTube