When we think about starting a meaningful side project in our career, whether it’s coaching, consulting or a creative pursuit, we often talk about fear of failure — but rarely about the fear of success.
Here’s how fear of failure plays out:
- What if I’m not good enough to do this?
- What if no one will like it?
- What if I fail?
But fear of success can be equally — or even more — scary:
- If I succeed, am I ready to commit to it?
- Am I good enough to pursue this long-term?
- What if I later change my mind? What would people think?
Any mother can tell you that giving birth is the easy part — raising the child is the tough part.
And the same applies to a passion project in our career. It can feel so overwhelming when we think about all the commitments that come once the project actually becomes real — as if we’re asking ourselves, “Will I be a good parent?”
- Can I keep up with this project alongside other commitments?
- Can I grow this idea further?
- How long does it take for it to be profitable?
- Will there be more people interested in my offer?
- Am I able to manage all the logistics around it, like setting up a business or website?
In that moment, your fear wants to know: “Are you able and confident to handle all of this?”
Unless you’re a fortune teller, you will never know until you actually try.
And that’s what I did in 2021 when I decided to announce that I’m becoming a coach after five years of working as a marketing professional. I faced all the fears I described before, but I also knew that if I didn’t follow through with this calling, I would always regret it.
Now, as someone who’s been growing a passion for the last 4 years, here’s what I want you to know:
1. Courage isn’t about being fearless; it’s about moving forward while acknowledging the presence and messages of fear.
Even today, I still experience fear when I launch a program or share a video.
But I’ve learned that it’s not a reason to stop.
2. While you’re listening to your fear, also focus on WHY you want to do this project.
By bringing this project to life, what do you want to have more of in your career or life?
Maybe more creativity, joy, fun, meaning, or opportunities?
Before becoming a coach, it was clear to me that I wanted to do work that truly excites me and makes a real impact on people’s lives. But I had no idea how confident and authentic I would become simply by expressing my creativity through my content and coaching programs. My passion also connected me to meaningful opportunities, like co-hosting a podcast or joining a social impact startup. Not to mention the amazing people and communities I met along the way who keep inspiring and supporting me every day.
3. We’re often so bogged down by fear that we forget how important our own creative expression is for our wellbeing and fulfillment.
Honestly, we can’t expect a normal job to fulfill us completely. Our souls are so much richer than any one job can contain.
So if you have an exciting and meaningful project to pursue, it’s an amazing opportunity to give space to — and get to know — another creative side of you.
The project you want to do symbolizes another important part of who you are. That’s why it keeps nagging you to get started.
And trust me, the more you give space to your creativity by following through with your ideas, the more fulfilled you’ll feel in your everyday life.
When I paused coaching for a year because of other priorities, I eventually felt like something was missing — even though I gained a lot of comfort from everyday routines. I had to realize that guiding others is an important part of who I am, and the more I ignore it, the stronger the calling becomes.
4. Then the question comes: how do you know if you’re ready for this commitment?
No one is born ready for anything. Readiness is just a decision — and a deep trust in yourself that you’ll figure things out along the way.
Even though I wished someone had prepared me to handle failure, rejection, or the emotional ups and downs before starting my coaching journey, the truth is, no one can — because the journey is so personal. Everybody handles the same challenge differently.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
Every setback is not a judgment on your ability. It’s just another lesson meant to support your growth — to become a more resilient, confident, and authentic version of yourself.
And if you can see your challenges this way, you’re more than ready to start.
5. Pursue your project from a place of joy instead of pressure
I hear this phrase so often: “If I do this, I HAVE to…” Then the person starts talking about all the logistical details (e.g., tax, website, etc.) and the typical best practices for growth (e.g., posting X times a week on social media).
First of all, let me tell you right away: there’s no linear path to success. You never know when things will “click.” So you have to be in it for the long game and be open to the learnings along the way.
And you can only pursue it long-term if you actually enjoy it. Pressure will only make you abandon your project sooner or later.
Here are some questions to help you bring joy into your pursuit:
- How can you set a goal that makes you feel good?
- How can you design a simple and enjoyable creative process?
- Who can support you and keep you accountable on this journey?
- How can you give yourself permission to pursue this project in a way that supports your energy and wellbeing?
6. No matter the outcome, you will always be grateful that you at least tried
Even though I had to confront many challenges on my path, there’s one thing I always return to at the end of the day:
I’m proud of myself for being brave enough to follow my heart, do meaningful work, and keep showing up despite the fear and doubt.
The younger me — who used to feel insecure all the time — would be in awe of how confident and authentic I’ve become.
And I wouldn’t be this version of me without the challenges that made me confront my fears and shed the patterns that no longer served me (which is still a work in progress).
That’s why so many people on a meaningful path say the same thing:
It’s not about what you achieve — it’s who you become along the way that makes the journey worthwhile.
I hope I could give you some encouragement and inspiration to kickstart your passion project — even if your fear is strong at the moment.
I’m cheering for you every step of the way!
If you’re struggling to follow through with your coaching, consulting, or creative side project and need the support, guidance, and accountability to confidently make progress, gain momentum, and express your creativity — join the next cohort of the Career Leap Bootcamp, an 8-week group coaching program.
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