The Career Fear Audit: What's Really Holding You Back?

"I'm just not ready yet." "I need to do more research first." "Maybe next quarter would be better timing."

Sound familiar? These are the stories we tell ourselves when we're avoiding the real reason we haven't taken that next big step in our career: we're afraid.

But a vague statement like "I'm afraid" is paralyzing because it’s not actionable. To move forward, you need to stop fighting shadows and start addressing the real obstacles. This audit is designed to help you do just that. It will help you move from a general sense of anxiety to a specific, actionable understanding of what's really holding you back.

How to Use This Audit

For each of the four common career fears below, read the description and check any statement that feels true for you. Be honest with yourself.

Fear #1: Fear of Incompetence (Impostor Syndrome)

This is the fear that you don't have the skills, experience, or qualifications to succeed at the next level, and that you'll be "found out" as a fraud.

• [ ] I worry I don't have the right experience for the role I want.
• [ ] I often feel like my successes are due to luck, not my own ability.
• [ ] I hesitate to take on new challenges because I'm afraid I won't know how to do them perfectly.
• [ ] I compare my skills to others and feel like I don't measure up.

If you checked 2 or more: Your fear is about capability. The antidote is evidence. Start a small, low-risk project to prove your skills on a small scale. Volunteer for a task just outside your comfort zone. Every small win provides concrete evidence that you are capable, which is more powerful than any affirmation.

Once you've identified your primary fear, the next step is to build a plan for Taking Action Despite Fear.

Fear #2: Fear of Visibility (Being Seen)

This is the fear of putting yourself and your work in the spotlight, where it can be judged, criticized, or rejected.

• [ ] I avoid speaking up in important meetings, even when I have something to say.
• [ ] I hesitate to share my work with others until it's 100% perfect.
• [ ] The thought of leading a high-profile project is more terrifying than exciting.
• [ ] I shy away from opportunities that would require me to self-promote.

If you checked 2 or more: Your fear is about judgment. The solution is to practice being visible in career-safe ways. Share a useful link or a small insight with your team. Present one slide in a group presentation instead of the whole thing. Small acts of public practice build your tolerance for visibility. This is a core part of building professional confidence.

Fear #3: Fear of Office Politics (The Social Risk)

This is the fear of navigating complex relationships, stepping on the wrong toes, or getting caught in crossfire, which causes you to avoid influential but complex projects.

• [ ] I avoid projects that are politically charged, even if they're high-impact.
• [ ] I'm afraid of being seen as "too ambitious" by my colleagues.
• [ ] I hesitate to build relationships with senior leaders because I don't want to "play the game."
• [ ] I worry that a failure will be used against me by rivals.

If you checked 2 or more: Your fear is about social risk. The key is to reframe "politics" as "relationship building." Focus on creating genuine alliances by helping others achieve their goals. Find a senior sponsor who can help you navigate the organization. Your network is your safety net.

Fear #4: Fear of Failure (The Reputational Risk)

This is the fear that a single misstep or failed project will become a permanent stain on your professional record, preventing you from ever recovering.

• [ ] I'd rather do my current job perfectly than risk a new challenge and do it imperfectly.
• [ ] I spend more time thinking about what could go wrong than what could go right.
• [ ] The thought of having to explain a failed project to my boss is paralyzing.
• [ ] I believe that my career needs to be a straight line of successes.

If you checked 2 or more: Your fear is about your reputation. You need to reframe failure as learning. Propose a small pilot project instead of a massive one; if it fails, the stakes are low and the lessons are cheap. The cost of inaction is often higher than the cost of a well-managed failure.

What to Do With Your Results

Look at the category where you checked the most boxes. That's your starting point. Not a sign to stop, but a clear signal of where to focus your efforts. Vague fear is a wall. Specific fear is a hurdle you can learn to clear.

Identifying your fear is the first step. The next is taking action.

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This audit gives you the "what." The 6-week FSTEP program gives you the "how." We provide a structured training ground to take small, safe actions that directly counteract these fears and build real confidence.

Ready to take your first actionable step? Try our free 5-Day Action Challenge.