It’s Not Imposter Syndrome. It’s Fear of Success.
What I uncovered at my Vision Workshop about what’s really holding women back
It’s easy to assume that the biggest block holding women back from their dreams is imposter syndrome. But after hosting my latest Vision Workshop, something came through loud and clear:
👉 For many high-achieving women, it’s not imposter syndrome.
👉 It’s fear of success.
Not the fear of failing.
The fear of what will happen if they actually rise.
Will they be judged? Will they burn out? Will they lose relationships? Will the pressure become unbearable?
Let’s unpack what’s really happening.
Legacy work is the work only you can do — the impact you’re here to make.
It doesn’t have to be flashy. But it does have to be true.
Legacy work might look like:
Launching a bold new initiative that disrupts an outdated system
Leading with empathy in spaces that were built without it
Writing the book that’s been whispering to you for years
Mentoring the next generation with your hard-won wisdom
And for many women, that legacy work gets buried.
Not because they’re lazy. Not because they’re unclear.
But because of years of overgiving, people-pleasing, and fear of being “too much.”
Here’s what I’ve witnessed over a decade of coaching brilliant women — and what showed up again at my Vision Workshop:
They Overgive
Raised to caretake, accommodate, and keep the peace, many women have learned to put others first — even in high-powered roles. The result?
They lead departments and households but leave themselves last on the list.
They Wait for the “Right Time”
“I’ll do it once things settle down.”
Spoiler: they never do.
Your plate just refills.
Waiting is a form of self-protection — but it also postpones your power.
They Lack Real Support
Support isn’t just encouragement.
It’s structure. Strategy. Space.
It’s someone holding the mirror and the map — and saying:
“You don’t have to figure this out alone.”
They Fear Success, Not Failure
This one’s subtle. It can sound like:
“What if I can’t sustain it?”
“What if I lose myself?”
“What if I outgrow people I love?”
But deep down, it’s this:
What if I become the woman I’ve always dreamed of — and it changes everything? If you want to understand more about how mindset shapes success, check out this article from Harvard Business Review on overcoming the fear of success.
One moment hit me like lightning:
“Clarity doesn’t come first. Commitment does.”
We wait to feel ready. To feel certain.
But clarity is what follows brave action — not what precedes it.
The moment a woman names her vision out loud, the fog starts to lift.
The steps appear. The energy returns. The world responds.
Take a breath and check in:
What legacy work have I been postponing?
Where am I still overgiving instead of creating?
Who might I become if I stopped holding back?
If those questions stir something — trust that.
“These aren’t facts — they’re fear patterns. And they’re breakable.”
If you know you’re meant for more — but haven’t had the space, support, or structure to start — I’d love to help.
✨ Book a free Clarity Call and let’s explore what’s possible.
We’ll look at what’s been holding you back — and what bold next step could move you forward.
Your legacy work isn’t waiting.
It’s calling.
Let’s answer it together.
