Happily, just as it is possible to program the mind with a negative mentality, so it is possible to reprogram the mind with a positive mindset. Indeed, many of today's top success mentoring experts are people who came through much self-doubt and mental tribulation. They found out that it is possible to "reprogram" the mind and so they applied that insight to their own lives, broke out of their old mentality of fear and limitation and achieved unparalleled success.

You too can reprogramme your "mental default setting" and switch it from "negative" to "positive", from fear and self-doubt to courage, confidence and self-affirmation.

Here are six pointers to help you overcome your fear of success and get your mind to shift from negative thinking to positive thinking!

1. Understand how fear works to thwart your plans

Success does not come without setbacks or obstacles but in spite of them. When your fear of failure is too large, obstacles will occur as reasons not to continue. It is not actually the obstacles that stop you, but your lack of confidence, which causes you, like Pliable in Pilgrim's Progress, to turn back at the first obstacle.

2. Cut yourself some slack

Don't stress yourself out on a new project. Instead, give yourself a break, hang loose and relax for a while. Leisure activities and relaxation will refresh you, put you in a positive frame of mind, and give you the space in which to find renewed inspiration.

3. One small step at a time...

Instead of trying to tackle an ambitious project head on, break it down into small, easily achievable steps. Write each step down as milestones on the path to the overall goal. As you complete each small step, you will grow in confidence and feel motivated to move on to the next task.

4. Start by doing something you are good at

Work on something you enjoy and are good at in order to build up your sense of self-esteem. By gradually increasing your confidence like this it will become easier for you to take on those projects that hitherto have triggered your habitual fear of failure.

5. Talk to yourself and boost your self-esteem

The root cause of fear of failure is usually low self esteem. Learn to carry on a positive inner dialogue with yourself and tell yourself about all the things you are good at. Learn to trust what you say to yourself about yourself more than the opinions of others.

6. Surround yourself with positive people

If those who are close to you tend to put you down, your low self esteem and fear of failure will be constantly reinforced by spending too much time in their company. Rather than spending too much time in a negative environment, seek out new companions who will offer you positive support and feedback, people who share common goals - even if you have to turn to the Internet to find them.

By following the six steps (each one a "success secret" in its own right) that I have outlined here, you progress towards a new positive "can do" mentality and see your fears for what they are, nothing more than chimeras of the mind.