We all have dreams, goals, and ambitions. But sometimes the biggest thing standing in our way…is ourselves.

In this episode of The 5 to 9 Job, I’m diving deep into the psychology of self-sabotage, fear of success, fear of being judged, and why so many of us quietly hold ourselves back without even realizing it. Drawing from research, personal reflection, and real-world examples, I’ll walk you through the hidden forces that stop us—and give you 5 practical strategies to finally break through.

If you’ve ever caught yourself procrastinating, making excuses, or shrinking from opportunities you know you want—this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways

• Fear of success is real—and it often hides under comfort.

• The fear of being judged stops more people than failure ever could.

• Self-sabotage is your brain clinging to the “old you” for safety.

• Success changes your identity, and that’s why it feels scary.

• 5 tools to beat self-sabotage:

  1. Define your goals clearly.

  2. Catch your excuses in real time.

  3. Normalize fear—it means you’re on the right track.

  4. Build courage like a habit, not a feeling.

  5. Use tiny wins to create momentum.

Referenced Research & Thinkers

• Dr. Gay Hendricks, The Big Leap (fear of success & upper limits)

• Psychological Science (fear of judgment & performance anxiety)

• Insights from Elon Musk, Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, Steven Bartlett

🎧 Tune in and let’s get out of our own way—together.