The way we show up in business or our careers is deeply connected to our emotions, our past experiences, and the subconscious beliefs we hold about ourselves.
It’s easy to think that success is just about strategy, action, and doing more. But a lot of the time, what holds us back isn’t a lack of skills, it’s the emotional blocks we don’t even realise are running the show.
Here are some of the most common emotional blocks that keep people stuck and how to start shifting them:
Fear of failure – The belief that making a mistake means you’re not good enough, that failing is proof you shouldn’t even try. This fear can make you procrastinate, avoid risks, or play small.
To shift it, reframe failure as feedback. Every setback is a lesson, every mistake is a stepping stone. Instead of asking what if I fail? try asking what could I learn from this?
Fear of success – It sounds strange, but sometimes, we’re just as afraid of things going right as we are of them going wrong. Success can bring more responsibility, more visibility, and a fear of not being able to maintain it.
To shift it, notice where you resist growth. If success feels unsafe, ask yourself what am I afraid success will take from me? and then start rewriting that belief.
Imposter syndrome – Feeling like you don’t belong, that any success you have is luck, that one day people will “find out” you’re not as capable as they think.
To shift it, remind yourself that self-doubt is not proof of inadequacy. Acknowledge what you do know, what you have achieved, and lean into the fact that you are constantly learning and evolving.
Perfectionism – The belief that if it’s not perfect, it’s not worth doing. Perfectionism keeps you stuck, delaying launches, avoiding new opportunities, and overthinking every move.
To shift it, allow yourself to take messy action. Done is better than perfect. Growth happens through doing, not waiting for the perfect moment.
Fear of being seen – Whether it’s showing up online, speaking about your work, or promoting yourself, deep down, many of us have an underlying fear of visibility. It can stem from past rejection, criticism, or a belief that we’re not “worthy” of attention.
To shift it, start small. Speak about your work to a friend, post something that feels vulnerable but true, remind yourself that your voice deserves to be heard. The more you show up, the safer it begins to feel.
Your success is never just about the external work you do, it’s about the internal work too. If you feel stuck, unsure, or like you keep hitting the same walls, it might not be your strategy that needs adjusting. It might be the emotions and beliefs beneath it all.
And once you start shifting those? Everything changes.
With love & support,
Shorina | Mindful Soul Collective
Holistic Counsellor, Wellbeing Coach & Business Mentor
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