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As children, we were told in school that intelligent people - those with high IQ - are most likely to succeed. But how come now that we've all grown up, a lot of those who were once top performers in class seem to find it hard to land the right career path?

Fear of failure vs. fear of success

Fear of failure and fear of success are two different things, but they are related. The fear of failure is reflected by the anxiety of not living up to expectations, while the fear of success is reflected by the anticipation of any change that may happen after succeeding. 

Someone with a fear of failure may find themselves asking the question, "What if I fail?" while those who have a fear of success will think of the questions, "What will people think when I accomplish this?" or "What lifestyle changes should I make when I achieve my dream?"

Not being able to overcome these two can be crippling, and it can lead to self-sabotage. When not addressed, both can lead to the hesitation to take risks or try something new. Thus making them two sides of the same coin as Dr. Ashlee Greer, a counseling psychologist and business mindset coach, puts it.

How to stop self-sabotage

While high IQ is a reliable indicator of success, it is not a guarantee. Intelligence can be a valuable tool, but it is not the only one a person needs to be successful. Other soft skills you need for relationship building, like communication, flexibility and teamwork, are just as important. These skills can be developed as reinforcement of intellect.