We’ve all been there: faced with an opportunity to succeed, but instead of jumping in, we hesitate, procrastinate, or even actively block our own progress. Sometimes, this manifests in bizarre ways. Take, for instance, a portrait artist who says, “No, I’m not selling that portrait because if I get more orders, I can buy a blank canvas cheaper, which means I can sell them for less.” On the surface, this might seem like a reasonable business strategy, lower costs, higher volume, right? But in reality, this thinking could be a form of self-sabotage.
This is a paradox of human behaviour, individuals often choose to delay their success, not because they are incapable or disorganised, but because of deeply ingrained psychological patterns and subconscious fears. Let’s explore why this happens, backed by science and real-world examples.
One of the most common reasons people procrastinate or refuse to take opportunities is rooted in what psychologists call the “fear of success.” It may sound counterintuitive, after all, who wouldn’t want to succeed? But success can bring about significant change, which for some is uncomfortable or even threatening.
For an artist, achieving a high number of orders might mean higher expectations, increased pressure, and more visibility. If they’re not ready for that level of attention or workload, it may feel safer to deliberately limit their opportunities. This fear is often tied to concerns about inadequacy or imposter syndrome, where the individual feels they’re not deserving of success or fear being exposed as a fraud.
Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychologist at the Dominican University of California, conducted a study on goal-setting and success. She found that people who write down their goals are significantly more likely to achieve them, yet the act of setting ambitious goals can provoke a subconscious fear. For some, setting goals that could lead to success feels riskier than staying in a safe, stagnant place.
Procrastination can also be a by-product of perfectionism. The desire to get everything just right can prevent people from taking action. This is often the case with artists who feel that they need to perfect their process before they can scale or take on larger orders. They may hesitate to take on more orders because they feel the need to keep costs low and their output highly controlled. Ironically, this focus on perfectionism can prevent them from doing what is necessary to grow their business, taking orders at a higher price, for example.
Psychologist Dr. Tim Pychyl, an expert in procrastination, suggests that perfectionism and procrastination are often closely related. People who strive for perfection can become so overwhelmed by the fear of failure or imperfection that they delay or avoid completing tasks altogether.
Cognitive dissonance theory, developed by Leon Festinger in the 1950s, explains why people sometimes act against their own best interests. Essentially, cognitive dissonance occurs when there is a conflict between our beliefs and actions, leading to discomfort. To relieve this discomfort, people may adjust their beliefs or behaviours in ways that protect their sense of self.
In the case of the portrait artist, there may be a subtle but powerful cognitive dissonance happening. On one hand, they believe that success means charging more for their work, yet on the other, they believe that success means working harder to lower costs and increase volume. By refusing to take a higher price for the portrait, they are avoiding the discomfort of this internal conflict. The idea of “success” becomes associated with a negative feeling, the fear of raising prices, and they retreat to a more comfortable, lower-risk option, procrastination and stalling.
Another psychological aspect is related to delayed gratification, a concept explored by psychologist Walter Mischel in his famous “marshmallow test.” Mischel’s studies showed that children who could resist the immediate temptation of a marshmallow, in favour of receiving two later, tended to have better life outcomes in terms of academic success, health, and financial stability.
For adults, this same principle plays out in business decisions. The artist in our example may resist taking on more orders at a higher price because they’re focused on the immediate satisfaction of saving money on canvas rather than the longer-term reward of building a sustainable business. This short-term thinking can trap people in a cycle where they continue to undermine their potential for long-term success.
Finally, self-worth plays a huge role in self-sabotage. If someone doesn’t feel they deserve success or financial reward, they may subconsciously avoid opportunities to succeed. This can happen in a subtle way. The artist who avoids charging a higher price might feel uncomfortable with the idea of being valued highly for their work. They might undervalue themselves or feel guilty about asking for more money, even though they are fully capable of delivering that value.
A classic example of fear of success and self-sabotage in action is J.K. Rowling. Before “Harry Potter” became a global phenomenon, Rowling struggled with self-doubt, financial instability, and even rejection from publishers. She could have let these setbacks define her, and in fact, there was a point at which she might have given up entirely. But rather than actively avoiding success, Rowling pushed through her fear, took risks, and succeeded in a way that changed her life, and the world, forever.
Breaking free from these self-sabotaging patterns involves recognising and confronting them. Instead of avoiding success or delaying gratification, one must embrace a mindset that allows for growth and value. This includes recognising that success doesn’t have to mean overwhelming pressure, that charging higher prices doesn’t make one a “bad” businessperson, and that taking risks is an essential part of thriving.
In conclusion, the psychology of procrastination, self-sabotage, and the avoidance of success is a multifaceted issue. It’s deeply rooted in our fears, desires for perfection, and even unconscious beliefs about our worth. For artists, entrepreneurs, or anyone looking to overcome self-sabotage, recognising these psychological patterns and actively addressing them is crucial for breaking free from procrastination and achieving long-term success.
Photo by Annie Spratt
