As Proverbs 13:4 says, “The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” Being diligent and curious about learning and improving benefits you, your coworkers, and your company. 

Fear: There are many ways fear can manifest itself, such as fear of failure or fear of success. When we are afraid of failure, we may avoid taking risks or trying new things, which can limit our potential for growth. On the other hand, when we are afraid of success and the responsibilities that go with it, we may sabotage our efforts or shy away from opportunities that could lead to greater success. 

2 Timothy 1:7 states, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” We must trust in God’s strength and guidance, and the path he has set out for us. When we are excellent in our work, we show others love and our work becomes worship.

Pride: When pride creeps up, we may think that we have nothing left to learn or that we’re above criticism. This can lead to a lack of humility, which is essential for growth and improvement. 

Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” We must remain humble in our work, always willing to learn, and stay open to constructive criticism and feedback.

There are many other enemies of success (laziness, lack of purpose, lack of order, etc). Take some time to process your work ethic and culture and figure out what enemies you’re struggling with and steps you can take to overcome them. When we fight the enemy, we can achieve excellence in our work, honor God with our efforts, and take strides toward finding fulfillment and success in our careers.