Women, Motivation, Fear of Success, and Being Real

PCE is surrounded by lots of strong women. Gutsy, determined, motivated, fearless. Be it business or socially, at community and social groups : they are there : fighting. Fighting for a dream, a goal, sometime for sanity, for love, for what they believe in. These women are achievers.

But why is it that studies of achievement motivation do not predict the level of achievement motivation for females as well as these studies do for males?

Women often obtain higher test-anxiety scores than males. Are they just more anxious?

Maybe there is another explanation. Have females in our culture (Western) been encouraged to be successful, whilst also trying to live up to conventions : the good daughter, the dutiful wife, the multi tasking mother?

Is there a motive to avoid success and fear it : as women battle with convention?

Evidence from psychological studies shows exactly that. That fear of success or success avoidance is heightened when anxiety is present about breaking with convention or especially in relationships : being competitive with a male partner.

Differences in achievement therefore has nothing to do with ability but with culturally imposed sex differences in motivation.

Regardless of how strong and fierce the women PCE knows are: there is something to remember.....like all people recognition, being valued, being supported, sense of purpose and support is critical.

Men have built support mechanisms for all of this : the workplace, the social culture of the workplace, the weekly boys night on a Friday.....and dare I say it ....golf.....

What's missing for women are these conventions and more : the conflict over dual roles requires a sense of purpose more clearly defined PLUS the support mechanisms from a partner of : the freedom to speak and communicate and be heard, and task mutuality ....ie doing things together that produce results: small wins here a key.

There are rules of engagement required. But women of the world hear this : be crystal clear about your WHY. Craft it, be specific, clear and then articulate it. Share it. Live it.

Above all once you have that clear purpose that is about you and you get the support to fulfil it...you can afford to be fierce, fearless and driven....and all the rest will follow, because you have nurtured yourself first and when you are feeling like you are breaking through you really can do anything.