As a small business owner, have you ever stopped to ask yourself: Do I actually want to grow? It’s a bold question, and one that might make you pause. But in my experience working with entrepreneurs—through networking groups, social media, and inside the Small Business Owners Community—I see a pattern.
Some business owners are content with where they are. And that’s okay. But others? They think they want to grow, yet they continually hold themselves back. They have the skills, the knowledge, the opportunities—but something invisible keeps them from taking the next step.
It’s called fear of success.
The Subtle Ways We Hold Ourselves Back
Fear of success isn’t as obvious as fear of failure. Instead, it shows up in quiet, subtle ways:
- Delaying responses to potential clients because moving forward means more responsibility.
- Making excuses for why something isn’t done yet when deep down, you know you could have made the time.
- Settling for lower pricing even though you know the market would support an increase.
- Avoiding a big opportunity because it means hiring staff, leasing space, or taking a financial risk.
If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone. And you’re certainly not lazy. But you may be unknowingly keeping yourself from the success you claim to want.
A Perspective Shift from Outer Space
I recently came across a quote that hit me hard. NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman once said:
“While spacewalking, I realized something. I used to think I was scared of heights, but now I know I was just scared of gravity.”
What a concept.
When you think about the next level of your business—whether it’s hiring your first employee, moving into an office, or landing a dream partnership—do you feel fear? Maybe you’re not actually afraid of “heights” (growth, success, expansion). Maybe you’re just afraid of the weight that comes with it—the gravity of responsibility, the unknowns, the changes that success demands.
The Truth About Growth
Growth isn’t just about more knowledge or better execution. It’s about stronger habits and behaviors.
- It’s choosing to step into discomfort instead of backing away.
- It’s recognizing when fear is disguising itself as practicality.
- It’s making the decision to go after what you really want—even when it feels scary.
So here’s your challenge:
Ask yourself—are you afraid of heights, or are you just afraid of gravity?
Where in your business are you holding yourself back? And what would happen if you stepped forward instead?
Let’s keep this conversation going. Drop a comment on LinkedIn on www.linkedin.com/in/jpatmiller/. Looking forward to hearing from you.
For more from Pat Miller, subscribe to his free Small Business Summary Newsletter: https://www.smallbusinesssummary.com
