Fear as Your Success Compass: Why Being Scared Means You're Going in the Right Direction

Have you ever noticed how the things we want most seem to come wrapped in the most resistance?

The bigger the goal, the stronger the fear. The more meaningful the pursuit, the more anxiety we feel. And we spend so much energy trying to eliminate that fear, trying to find the version of success that comes without the discomfort.

But I've been thinking about this relationship between fear and ambition lately, and I'm realizing we might have it completely backward. What if that knot in your stomach isn't a warning to turn back? What if it's actually your internal compass pointing you toward what matters most?

The Cost of Greatness Always Includes Fear

Here's something I've been working through: if it's something great that you want, it's going to come with a cost. It's going to come with resistance. And honestly? That should just be expected.

Think about anything truly worthwhile in your life. The promotion that stretched your capabilities. The relationship that required vulnerability. The project that pushed you beyond your comfort zone. Fear was probably sitting right there with you through all of it.

But we treat fear like it's broken, like there's something wrong with us for feeling it. We spend our energy trying to eliminate it instead of listening to what it might be trying to tell us.

Fear Means You Care Enough

Here's the perspective shift that's been helping me lately: being scared often just lets you know that you care about something enough to want it deeply. The fear isn't random—it's showing up because this actually matters to you.

When you feel that familiar anxiety before something important, it's not just nerves. It's your whole system recognizing that this moment has real significance. When you're terrified about starting something new, it's because you've identified something worth pursuing, something that could genuinely change things for you.

And here's the thing—consider the alternative. Complete indifference. No fear, sure, but also no excitement, no investment, no real care about whether it happens or not. That's not the absence of fear. That's the absence of meaning.

The Pursuit of Greatness Comes with Anxiety

I'm learning to completely reframe this. Fear and anxiety don't just happen to show up when we're pursuing something meaningful—they're part of what makes it meaningful. They're evidence that you're not settling, that you're not playing it safe in the comfortable middle ground where nothing really matters.

Look, this doesn't mean we should go looking for fear just for the sake of it, or that every anxious feeling is productive. But when fear shows up in the context of something we genuinely want to achieve, something that aligns with who we want to become? Maybe we need to stop treating it like the enemy.

The real question isn't "How do I make this fear go away?" It's "What is this fear telling me about what I actually value?"

What This Actually Looks Like

So how do we work with fear instead of against it? Here's what I'm trying:

Treat fear as information. When that familiar anxiety shows up about an upcoming challenge, I'm learning to pause and ask what it's revealing about my priorities. What does this fear tell me about what I actually care about?

Use it as a filter. The projects and opportunities that generate zero emotional response? Those might not be worth my time. But the things that make me a little scared? Those are probably exactly where I need to focus.

Expect the resistance. Instead of being surprised when fear shows up, I'm building it into my planning. Resistance isn't a sign I'm on the wrong path—it's often confirmation I'm on the right one.

Don't run away. This is the hardest part. That instinct to avoid, to procrastinate, to find excuses when fear emerges? That's exactly when we need to lean in. The fear isn't telling you to run. It's telling you this matters enough to push through.

Being Honest About Where I Am

I'm still figuring this out myself. There are goals I'm pursuing right now that generate real anxiety. Things that make me question whether I'm capable, whether I'm ready, whether I have what it takes.

But I'm starting to see that anxiety differently. It's not evidence that I'm not ready—it's evidence that I'm not playing it safe anymore. It's not a warning that I'm out of my league—it's confirmation that I'm finally playing in a league that matters.

The fear doesn't disappear. But my relationship with it is changing. I'm learning to see it as a companion in pursuing something meaningful rather than an obstacle I need to overcome.

Moving Forward

Here's what I'm learning: the next time you feel that familiar anxiety about something you want to achieve, try asking a different question. Not "How do I get rid of this fear?" but "What does this fear reveal about what I truly care about?"

Your fear might be the most honest feedback you get about what actually matters to you. It's not trying to sabotage you. It's trying to show you where your heart is invested.

The pursuit of anything great comes with resistance. That's not a flaw in the system—it's the whole point. The resistance is how you know you're not settling for something that doesn't matter.

So don't run away from that feeling. Let it guide you toward what you actually want to achieve.

Understand that fear and anxiety come with the pursuit of yourself being great. And don't run away from it.

What fears are currently pointing you toward your most meaningful goals? I'd love to hear about what you're pursuing that scares you—and how you're learning to work with that fear instead of against it. Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me to continue the conversation.

About Jeremy

I'm a Connector, Creative, and Tech Futurist focused on making technology meaningful and accessible. You can find more of my thoughts at JeremyMckellar.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.

A Note on AI Collaboration

This article was developed in collaboration with AI as a thinking partner to help synthesize and organize my thoughts. I believe AI tools can amplify our human insights when used thoughtfully—consider exploring how these tools might enhance your own content creation and strategic thinking.