Overcoming the Terror Barrier: Why Hard Work Alone Isn’t Enough

Mar 17

Introduction:

Have you ever set a big, audacious goal only to feel overwhelmed by fear, doubt, or worry right before taking significant action? That’s what we call the Terror Barrier. It’s not a sign to stop—it’s proof you’re growing. In this post, I’ll show you how to identify, understand, and overcome the terror barrier so you can move forward with confidence.

What Working Harder Looks Like at the Terror Barrier

When most people hit the terror barrier, their instinct is to double down on effort. It’s a natural reaction—if something isn’t working, surely doing more of it will fix the problem, right?

Here’s what “working harder” often looks like:

Adding more to-dos: Trying to tackle every possible task, often without prioritization.
Longer hours: Sacrificing evenings, weekends, and personal time to push through the discomfort.
Perfectionism: Getting stuck on small details instead of moving forward with bigger actions.
Avoidance disguised as productivity: Spending time on less impactful tasks that feel “safe” instead of tackling the hard, meaningful work.

While these behaviors feel productive in the moment, they’re often a way of avoiding the real issue—facing the fear and discomfort that come with growth. Overworking in this way doesn’t move you closer to your goal; it drains your energy and reinforces the belief that you’re not enough.

Awareness—3 Key Questions

Ask yourself these questions when you feel stuck:

What is my current fear or doubt trying to protect me from?
(Hint: Your brain’s job is to keep you safe, even if the threat is only perceived.)
Am I making this discomfort mean something about me or my goal?
(For example: “This must mean I’m not capable” or “I’m not meant to have this.”)
What would I do next if I knew this fear was a sign I’m on the right path?
(Reframe discomfort as growth, not failure.)

Quick Wins—3 Actionable Steps to Break Through

Accept the Terror Barrier as Part of the Process:
Remind yourself: discomfort is inevitable when you’re growing. Normalize it instead of resisting it.
Understand What’s Happening in Your Brain:
Your brain equates stepping out of your comfort zone with danger. Write down the thoughts and fears you’re experiencing. Simply labeling them as “brain resistance” can reduce their power.
Reframe and Take Action:
Create one small step you can take today that aligns with your goal. Pair it with an empowering thought like, “This fear means I’m doing something big and worthwhile.”

Client Story:

One of my clients, hit her terror barrier after setting an ambitious business revenue goal. For a year, she tried to work harder—longer hours, endless to-do lists, constant hustle—but the results didn’t match the effort. She started to believe that her goal wasn’t meant to happen.

When we worked together, she realized her brain was resisting change and keeping her in the familiar (though exhausting) cycle of overwork. By applying the three steps above, she stopped spinning her wheels and created a focused plan that didn’t rely on overworking. In three months, she saw more income and productivity than she had the entire previous year.

You may be thinking…..

“I’ve been working harder for a year, and nothing’s changed. Why would this be different?”
Here’s the truth: effort alone doesn’t guarantee results. If your actions stem from fear and resistance, you’ll burn time and energy without making meaningful progress. By changing the stories and thoughts driving your actions, you’ll create aligned results without the constant grind.

What is the cost of working harder without clarity? Lost income, productivity, and the most valuable resource of all—time. The sooner you step through the terror barrier with intention, the sooner you’ll see results that match your dreams.

Closing Thoughts:

Don’t let fear dictate your future. The only way past the terror barrier is through it, and once you do, you’ll come out stronger, braver, and ready to take on even bigger dreams.

Take the first step by uncovering how your hard work impacts your results. Click here to take the quiz.

Ruth Duren