Episode 7

When You Are Afraid of Your Own Potential

Most of us assume that what holds us back is the fear of failing. But for a lot of people the real fear runs deeper than that. It is the fear of what happens if we actually succeed. What if people expect more? What if we cannot sustain it? What if we do not deserve it?

In this episode Marilyn gets honest about one of the most common but least talked about things that keeps us playing small. The fear of our own potential. She walks us through why we self-sabotage, how procrastination and self-doubt show up right before a breakthrough, and what we can actually do to stop letting fear make every decision.

This is not about pretending fear does not exist. It is about learning to move forward anyway. Because playing small does not protect us. It just keeps us from the life we actually want.

In this episode:

  • Why fear is normal and even helpful in some situations but destructive when it runs unchecked
  • The real reason so many of us play small and why it is often not about failure at all
  • How self-sabotage shows up in our personal lives and our careers without us realizing it
  • Why procrastination is avoidance not laziness and what to do about it
  • How to use the bubble method when self-doubt shows up right before a breakthrough
  • Six practical ways to stop letting fear of your own potential hold you back

This week's takeaway:

The next time we catch ourselves pulling back ask one honest question. Am I afraid of failing or am I afraid of what happens if this actually works? Then take one step in the direction of what we actually want. Just one.

Come join the conversation:

Come talk about this one in our free Facebook community Put it in a Bubble Private Bubble. Find us at MarilynBarker.com.

Connect with Marilyn:

www.MarilynBarker.com

Hashtags:

#PutItInABubble #MentalHealth #FearOfSuccess #StopPlayingSmall #MindsetShift #MentalWellness #ImposterSyndrome #PersonalGrowth #OwnYourPotential #GrowthMindset #EmotionalHealth #YouAreCapable #LetItGo #StopSabotaging #BlowItAway

About the Podcast

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Put it in a bubble
Life, Mindset & Everything In Between

About your host

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Marilyn Barker

Marilyn Barker is an author, speaker, business consultant, motivational coach, and the creator of Put It in a Bubble™. Through her books, podcast, workshops, and coaching, she helps people create space, shift their perspective, process difficult moments, and take intentional steps forward.
Put It in a Bubble™ is built around a simple idea: you do not have to carry everything at once. Marilyn encourages listeners to pause, decide what deserves their energy, take action where needed, and release what they no longer need to hold onto.
Her approach is practical, encouraging, and grounded in real life. The goal is not to ignore hard things or force positivity, but to handle challenges with more awareness, stronger self-talk, greater resilience, and a clearer sense of what comes next.
Marilyn is the founder of Barker Business Services LLC, which serves as the umbrella for her consulting, speaking, educational resources, books, and the Put It in a Bubble™ brand.

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