Are You Hiding from Success?
Eh, I’ll send the email later.
Eh, this call I need to make can wait.
The job application to that company I admire? I’ll send it tomorrow.
We’ve all done it at some point. We’ve sat on that email that we need to send out. Or that text message. Or, we’ve talked ourselves out of making that call.
We procrastinate. We come up with various reasons to not do the things that could move us forward.
What’s happening here? Why are we hesitating with making seemingly simple tasks?
Procrastination is a form of hiding. When we hide, we shelter our gifts—skills, presence, leadership—from the world. And from people and companies that could greatly benefit from what we have.
Maybe we hide because we don’t believe our skills translate well. Or maybe it’s because we are scared, and aren’t sure if we can actually do the work.
What are some ideas that you can use to ease the procrastination and ease the hiding?
The Power of Showing Up
Here’s what I want you to know: When you come out of hiding, you are voting for yourself. You’re voting for the career, the work—the person—you want. That sent email, that made call, and that application submitted: it all builds confidence. Every step forward is proof that we are capable, that we are ready to engage fully.
And a funny thing happens along the way. The world begins to respond positively to you. Opportunities we didn’t even know existed start to show up. We get replies to emails, calls back from hiring managers, and unexpected connections from our networking efforts. The act of showing up creates momentum.
This is something I’ve seen firsthand in my coaching practice. When my clients begin taking small, deliberate steps toward their goals, their confidence grows. They begin to feel more empowered in their job searches and career transitions. They start recognizing that their skills do translate, that their experience does have value, and that they are capable.
What Happens When We Hide?
When we stay in hiding, we tell ourselves the story that being safe is better than progress. But this "safety" is an illusion. Avoidance is not protecting us from rejection or failure—it’s just keeping us in the same place.
I've seen a lot of professionals delay applying for jobs, saying to themselves that they aren't ready, their resumes need more tweaking, or they need just one more certification. But often, these are ways of hiding from the fear of rejection. Once they see this pattern and start taking action, momentum builds. I've watched people who once hesitated suddenly find themselves with interviews and offers within weeks.
You know, we all have a choice: we can continue to hesitate, or we can decide to move forward. The latter is the only way we create change.
How to Ease the Procrastination
If you find yourself hesitating, here are a few ways you can get yourself into action:
Lower the stakes. That email isn’t the final word on your career—it’s just an email. Hit send.
Break it down. Rather than ponder the big goal (new job, new client, major career move), focus on the next micro-step.
Accountability helps. Find someone who can check in on your progress. A friend, mentor, or coach can keep you honest.
Visualize the outcome. Imagine how good it will feel to have completed the task. Let that feeling pull you forward.
Reframe rejection. Instead of seeing a "no" as a failure, see it as feedback. Every rejection could be a step closer to the right opportunity.
Momentum Creates Confidence
The key to breaking the cycle of hiding is momentum. Start with something small. One email. One LinkedIn message. One phone call. Then build on that success.
Every time you take action, you reinforce the belief that you are capable. That belief strengthens over time, making each next step easier. And before you know it, you’re doing more than stepping out of hiding—you're running toward your goals.
Procrastination is a habit. And like any habit, it can be broken. The sooner you recognize the ways you’re hiding, the sooner you can step forward and reclaim your power. The world needs your talents. The opportunities you seek are waiting. You just have to show up.
Send that email. Make that call. Apply to that job. Cast your vote for you.
I’m Richard Taliaferro. I’m a certified health and career coach specializing in helping mid-stage professionals gain clarity on their career journey. I’ve written a guide on how to escape the work hamster wheel. Click here to download yours.