4 Success Strategies That Will Fail You—And What to Do Instead
At some point, we all rely on strategies that once helped us succeed. They got us through challenges, built our resilience, and even shaped our leadership. But what happens when those same strategies start holding us back?
As an Authenticity Life Coach, I’ve seen clients struggle with this transition. The key to breaking free isn’t about rejecting everything that worked before—it’s about recognizing when it’s time to evolve. Here are four common success strategies that helped my clients—until they didn’t.
In this Article:
The All-or-Nothing Mindset
The Habit of Overgiving
The Keep-it-Together Approach
The DIY effect
What this means for your growth
What you can do
1. The All-or-Nothing Mindset
The belief: “If it’s not perfect, it’s not worth doing.”
Why It Stops You:
Perfectionism can make you feel like you’re never doing enough. It creates burnout, procrastination, and a fear of failure that keeps you from taking meaningful action.
The Shift:
A gentle reminder: “Any step is one step closer.”
Growth isn’t about getting everything right—it’s about integrating as you learn. Committing to small steps moves you forward even when you don’t have a fully fleshed plan. You’ll feel less pressure to be perfection and create more space for creativity and growth.
2. The Habit of Overgiving
The belief: “If I say no, they’ll think I’m being ungrateful.”
Why It Stops You:
Saying yes to everything can make you feel valued in the short term. But over time, it leads to resentment, exhaustion, and blurred boundaries. Instead of strengthening relationships, overgiving can leave you feeling drained and isolated.
The Shift:
A gentle reminder: “My worth isn’t measured by how often I say yes.”
Healthy boundaries don’t push people away—they build trust. When you communicate your needs honestly, relationships deepen, and you create space to support others without losing yourself.
3. The Keep-It-Together Approach
The belief: “I can’t let them see me cry.”
Why It Stops You:
Suppressing emotions might seem like a way to stay strong, but in reality, it can lead to procrastination, miscommunication, and inner tension. The irony is that in our attempt to stay in control, our ignored emotions find a way to show up unexpectedly as unpleasant outbursts.
The Shift:
A gentle reminder: “Emotions aren’t obstacles—they’re valuable information about what matters most to you.”
Rather than ignoring feelings, learn to interpret them. When you recognize emotions as signals, you gain clarity on what needs attention and can act with greater confidence and intention.
4. The DIY Effect
The belief: “I have to figure this out on my own.”
Why It Stops You:
Self-reliance is a strength, but refusing help can increase stress and slow your progress. It keeps you stuck in a cycle of overworking and isolation rather than growth and collaboration.
The Shift:
A gentle reminder: “When it’s hard, let’s do it together.”
Reaching out for support, mentorship, or collaboration speeds up progress and strengthens your leadership. The most successful people aren’t the ones who go it alone—they’re the ones who know when to lean on others.
What This Means for Your Growth
Recognizing when old success strategies no longer serve you is a key part of self-awareness, personal leadership, and authenticity. Growth requires evolution, and learning to adapt is what allows you to move forward with calm, confidence, and clarity.
Here are some shifts my clients created by evaluating their unconscious strategies:
Felt paralyzed due to deep burnout and harsh self-judgment → Calmly looked at what scared her and made decisions that brought relief in her work and housing.
Experienced increasing guilt with success gained by following what others were doing → Redefined what success means personally and took on four more aligned clients without feeling exhausted.
Struggled to speak up at home and work→ Found her voice and language to self-advocate which saved thousands of dollars and her marriage.
Growing self-doubt while starting a new business → Built self-trust by only taking action when it felt like a “hell yes,” leading to an influx of client interest in 3 months.
Which of these strategies have you held onto? What shift do you need to make?
I’d love to support you! Schedule a free call, and let’s explore how you can move forward in a way that feels aligned, sustainable, and true to you.
Which strategies do you lean on?
Book a discovery call today and let’s look at how your strategies are impacting you.
