Mar 3, 2020
Have you ever felt terrible after experiencing a certain level of success? Have you ever doubted yourself and felt like an imposter after achieving a big milestone in your life and business?
If so, you’re not alone. This is what I call "Success Hangover", and I talk about it in this week’s episode of the Market Like A Boss podcast.
Success hangover happens to many high-achieving women...and I'm no exception. Often the hangover comes in the form of doubting whether we can reach a higher level of success or maintain the success we already have.
I wanted to do an episode on this because we often hear a lot about success, but not what happens afterward. It's important to recognize that there is another side of success. But it's nothing to be scared of! The key is to be prepared on how you can deal with these thoughts so that you can move to the next level.
At the end of 2019, I experienced success hangover after reaching 6-figures in my business. I started doubting if I will be able to sustain it or if I will be able to make more than that. While it was totally normal for me to experience these feelings, what I couldn’t do was allow them to take root in my mind.
Success hangover can't be eliminated right away, but I hope this episode will give you tools to work with and questions to reflect on whenever this comes up for you.
I recommend you to follow these 6 tips in order to work on your success hangover:
1. Ask yourself: "Why am I placing limits on success?"
The best thing you can do is to challenge yourself. Is it true that this is all there is for you? Is it true that you can't be more successful? Is it true that you can't sustain your success? Think about your past experiences and find examples when you were able to level up and have more success. This will help your brain process new beliefs.
"One of the best things you can do whenever you experience a limiting belief or a thought that's not serving you is to challenge it! Oftentimes we just take our thoughts and our feelings as fact without even challenging them. Ask yourself, is this true?" -Michelle Vroom
2. Create a "Power File"
A power file is a folder on your computer where you can save testimonials or messages that show you what an incredible, talented expert you are. Success hangover tells you that success is not repeatable. A power file contradicts this belief because it compiles multiple examples that show great you are. This reminds you that success is repeatable, and that if you have done it once, you can do it again!
3. Be honest about your feelings and get support in working through them
Honesty is the first step, but you also need to get some help. You need to get help among people who understand. Having a coach helps me because she is objective about my business and she's been through these things before so she is several steps ahead of me. A coach can guide you through these feelings and challenge them so you can work through them faster.
4. Ask yourself, "What thoughts do you want to replace your current thoughts with?"
Instead of trying to remove a thought altogether, replace it with something more positive. What do you really want to think right now? You are not a victim to your thoughts. You get to choose the thoughts you want to have.
5. Protect yourself and set boundaries
When you compare yourself with other successful people, do you feel happy for them or do you feel jealous because there is not enough out there for you? If it's the latter, you have to stop following them. You need to protect yourself from comparison because it'll take away the joy, passion and excitement that you have for your life and business. Simply put: stop following people who are triggering your negative thoughts.
Another important thing that we sometimes neglect is to take care of yourself. Take good care of your body because if you're not feeling physically well, success hangover is triggered even more. If you're feeling good and healthy, it's harder to think negative thoughts. Protect your body and mind, and set strict boundaries for yourself.
6. Journal as your future self
Journal as if you're already the person who has reached the next level in your business. As your future self, talk about what success looks like and how fun it felt to get there. Start acting like the person who has reached the next level.
Remember: you’re the only person standing between you and your success!
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