What Is Success Anxiety?
I recently came across the phrase “Success Anxiety” – and it really struck a chord with me.
If you’ve met me, you’d hopefully describe me as a positive person and, quite possibly, a bit of a workaholic. However, if I’m honest, I’ve often asked myself: where does that ambition actually come from?
Some say there are only ever two drivers for ambition: fear or desire.
For me, more often than not, it’s fear. And that fear, I’ve realised, has a name: Success Anxiety.
It’s that nagging feeling that no matter how well things are going:
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The rug could be pulled from under you at any moment.
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You’re only as good as your last performance.
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You can’t slow down, because momentum is everything.
Instead of enjoying success, your mind races: What’s next? Don’t switch off. Keep going.
Life in Entertainment
As someone who has worked in the entertainment industry for well over two decades, I know this feeling well. These industries have a reputation for lifting people up, then quickly moving on. The moment you stop, there’s always someone else waiting to step into your place.
Even as a magician for corporate events, that pressure can show up. When you’re booked to perform in front of hundreds of people, or to host a large awards night, you feel the weight of expectation. Every audience is new, every client has high hopes, and you can’t rely on yesterday’s applause to guarantee tomorrow’s booking.
Consequently, it’s exhilarating — but it can also be exhausting.
The Shift in Mindset: Managing Success Anxiety
So why am I sharing this? Because even if you’re not a magician-turned-awards host, I suspect this feeling is more common than most of us admit. In fact, whatever your role, Success Anxiety might be quietly pushing you forward too.
Here’s the small change I’ve made that has helped me massively:
👉 I stopped setting BIG goals.
I know, that sounds like the exact opposite of what every self-help book teaches. Nevertheless, here’s why it’s worked for me:
I find I’m at my best when I’m not obsessing over the next big outcome. Instead, when someone asks, “What are you working on right now?” I can simply reply: “Just more of the same.”
That doesn’t mean I’ve stopped working hard or aiming high. It just means I’ve shifted my focus to enjoying the work itself. I’ve stopped needing every project to be a game-changer.
The irony? By focusing less on outcomes and more on the craft, the results tend to take care of themselves.
Final Thoughts on Success Anxiety and Enjoying the Process
Despite having been in this industry as a performer and speaker for many years, I’ll admit: I definitely don’t have it all figured out.
However, I’ve learned that stepping off the treadmill of endless goal-setting has allowed me to enjoy the process again.
If this resonates with you – whether you’re a CEO, a creative, or someone like me, Ben Hanlin, navigating the highs and lows of performance – I’d love to hear about it.
👉 Want to see how I apply these lessons on stage? Take a look at my Corporate Entertainment page.