The Fear of Success

Fear.  We've all faced it.  We've all experienced its crippling power.  We've all insulated ourselves from the risk of what we fear - betting against our health, the chance occurrence of an automobile accident, disability and long term care needs all the while failing to invest in opportunities that may yield a return.  We throw potential opportunity out the window in order to secure the things we identify with, even when our identity is far less than its potential.  We are willing to pay premiums to hedge our fear of loss - "the inevitable", but are less willing to bet on the opportunity to win (invest in the market, ourselves, education, etc..).  Our culture has ingrained a sense of imminent loss rather than likely win, despite the fact that during the 20th century the stock market returned an average of 10.4% a year*, we understand the absolutely necessity of continued growth and change, and the degradation of stagnation.

So, it's understandable.  In light of our learned tendency to lean away from potential gain and toward hedging against "imminent loss", we have become a culture of second guessers, we find paralysis through analysis, and we allow ourselves to look back at retirement wondering what might have been.  We have allowed ourselves the mediocre life where "good enough" is just that.  We allow our contentedness to overwhelm our potential.

But, it's a choice.  And, so is the alternative.  Les Brown eloquently reminds us of this in the clip below.

Notes:

• Fear is the most subtle and destructive of all human diseases.
• Fear kills dreams, hopes, causes illness, ages you, and holds you back from something you KNOW you can do, if you'll only let yourself convince yourself of your capability.
• We must ask ourselves, "What is the benefit of allowing fear to control us and limit us?"
  
• You have to fight back. Sometimes the only positive things we hear about ourselves are the things we tell ourselves.
  
• Fear, limited vision, and lack of self-esteem keep most people from doing what they want to do.
• You must see yourself beyond your current situation and believe in yourself to improve your current situation.
• Bottom line: "Am I satisfied with what I've produced and am I content with my results?  Of, does life have more in store for me?"
  

*http://www.stockpickssystem.com/historical-rate-of-return/