Fear of Success

NOTICE: This thread is a split from a previous thread that was located in the "Networking, Referrals and Word of Mouth" forum. This new thread starts out where the conversation splits from the original thread topic.

One of the sad realities of life is that more people are afraid of success than failure.
Watch someone climb a ladder...the further up you go the more your behind sticks out.

Is it any wonder we pay millions of dollars to people who are willing to risk failure in front of the entire world...athletes, actors, etc.

I've tried to be wise on this telling people at one time more fear of success than failure then other times more fear of failure than success and I don't know which it is - I've read the experts say it both ways and then have other theories - does it matter?

We sponsor people into our network and take lots of time spelling out everything still some people can perform and not others - my friends in insurance and real estate say the same thing. I've learned that a sales system and being very clear and very direct with people so you spend time only with those already convinced of the benefits of what you offer is the solution to most of whether it's fear of loss or fear of gain, fear of success or failure.

MitchM

Mitch

Good points. Only when people "buy in" to the program, product, system, etc. and take it for their own will they accomplish great things. My point, in general, is that people are taught from a very early age to "not be different", "not to boast", "don't think you're better", etc. Not a very good set of conditioning statements.

Ask someone about a new piece of clothing...the first response is usually something like "this old thing?" instead of simply..."Thank You"

By the, regarding your reference to "experts"...an "ex" is a nothing and a "spirt" is a drip under pressure...silly old saying but a germ of truth

That's a good point. Masteri5.

We've been with our company ten years and besides learning our system people who are successful have this in common:

1. they embrace our mission statement and have a love for our company and products

2. they have decided this is their business and will pay the bills with it, be successful with it

Both have to be present.

MitchM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MitchM

I've tried to be wise on this telling people at one time more fear of success than failure then other times more fear of failure than success and I don't know which it is - I've read the experts say it both ways and then have other theories - does it matter?
MitchM

I know it's a topic that often comes up, but I don't buy into the notion about "fear of success" too readily.

I believe that it is often our underlying commitments that are often in conflict with with the things we need to do to achieve. That is not fear....it is about compromising, and yielding, to choices that are not consistent with our "success" drives.

Makes sense to me, Gary - a question is: what produces the yielding in some and the stick-with-it in others?

MitchM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Boye

I believe that it is often our underlying commitments that are often in conflict with with the things we need to do to achieve.

Can you give an example Gary?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houston

Can you give an example Gary?

One that comes to mind is about close relationships. Sometimes a person can become aware, or conditioned to acknowledge, that someone very close could be threatened by one's success. A parent, a spouse....even a close friend. So there can exist a strong "desire" to not displease the other person because of the value of the often loving relationship. That would be an example of an underlying commitment...one that is just below the surface that can effect a willingness to succeed.

Another example...similar..that you often see in both children and adults is an underlying commitment to a group of peers that would preclude our willingness to achieve because it might compromise our acceptance within the group.

I've seen a few of the spouse/commitment examples in our business - to please the other mate failed to execute business as planned - sometimes that's also used as an excuse - let the other be at fault.

MitchM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Boye

Another example...similar..that you often see in both children and adults is an underlying commitment to a group of peers that would preclude our willingness to achieve because it might compromise our acceptance within the group.

What does fear of success mean to you Gary?

Fear of Success

Self Improvement - Personal Development Forum