There are a plethora of materials available that teach you how to be successful. They delve into depth on the ins-and-out and the “formula” of success. If you have never heard of the word, “success”, a quick search on the internet and a mere half-and-hour will enlighten you.
However, having a thorough understanding of what it takes to be successful does not lay a solid foundation for your ambitions. Knowing how to do something does not necessarily imply you know how to not do something. Understanding the light inevitably makes you understand the darkness. The darkness being why you lag behind success.
1. You believe you are entitled
Sadly, a plethora of people truly believe they deserve to have what they desire handed to them. Unfortunately, for many, this is not the case. Nothing in life is ever given, it is earned. The most successful people, in whatever lens you want to view it, worked to have what they got. The people who have inherent riches and companies must also learn the ropes of their role – quite often, they’re taught from a young age; hence, they still worked for what they had even though they’re an heir. Letting go of this sense of “entitlement” is the first step to real success.
2. You put it all on social media
With the advent of social media, many believe it is the key to their visions. Social media does not equal riches, fame or a pleasurable lifestyle. Social media is neither free (but that’s beyond the scope of the article) because you need to spend many hours to make an impact in the highly saturated market and doesn’t guarantee income for your business. It is a tool to be utilized, not the key to your success.
3. You are riddled with fear
Quite clearly, this is a major cause and one that is often denied by so many people. The fear of failure and being unable to reach their goal is enough to stop them in their tracks. People tend to consider all things that could go wrong with their vision. While it is important to understand what could, and might, go wrong – never delve on it. Instead, focus on the things that could go right and allow that to drive you.
4. You lack belief
How much do you believe? This is the killer question that determines you’re on the right path or not. Not a single soul is going to believe in your ambition if you do not believe yourself. Who would want to risk in your failure, mistakes and all the undesirables that will probably occur on your journey if you don’t care enough. Believe and others will also believe in you.
5. You think about death
Any one of us could die any day. You could die after reading this article, and hey, I could die before finishing it. Tomorrow could be your last or a decade from now – no one knows However, If you live with this carcinogenic thought, you will never get anywhere. Do not allow the fear of death to prevent you to strive for what you desire. Death can come anytime – use it as a motivator to make everyday count towards achieving your goal.
6. You believe you will lose everything
Quite legitimately, you may have already succeed at another ambition in your life. You’re living quite comfortably but another idea has come in mind. What’s stopping you? Your previous success might be your hindrance. This new ambition of yours seems like it could quite possibly destroy everything you’ve built – causing you to lag behind success. This is a legitimate fear. You truly need to decide if your new vision is worth risking everything you have – some things just aren’t worth losing.
7. You think you have reached your limit
Many of us believe we have hit our limit. That we can’t progress any further in what we already have. But there isn’t a limit to what a human being can achieve, to what you can achieve. The stars are not the limit and you haven’t hit your limit because there is no limit.
8. You have lack of clarity
Looking into the future with a cloudy lens is a contributor to why you’re lagging behind success. Though you have a vision, it can be difficult to realize if what you’re doing is “the right thing.” Understand whether you are on the path that is most fulfilling is a difficult one to determine but you have to sit down with yourself and achieve clarity with your goals and what it is you’re trying to accomplish.
9. You think you are not educated
I often hear people to tell that are not educated enough to succeed in their ambition. They believe they lag behind because they do not know enough. The most ambitious people do not necessarily have university degrees under their belt nor a network of academics to lend them a hand. Education is self-taught, at its best, not spoon-fed or ordained.
10. You believe you are in “awful” health
How often have you blamed ill health for your lack of vision? Perhaps you think you have a learning, speaking, visual or audial deficiency. Maybe you contract too many colds to work in the environment you’d like to work in. Truly speaking, ill health is never a good reason to stop your ambition. That is, of-course, you’re on your death bed though heaven forbid. Health can definitely lag the process of success, yet it is not a reason to completely stop as your “reason” for not pursuing your vision. Use common sense when determining how serious your health illness is before concluding you cannot achieve your ambition.
11. You are not the right age
Age is not a factor in determining what you can and cannot do. A person cannot be too old or too young to achieve what they desire. The factor that is stopping you is your thought process. Quite frankly, you can take advantage of your age to shock and gather the attention of others. For example, a young public speaker or an elderly body builder will promptly gather the attention of many with little effort. Age should not be a reason for your failure.
12. You are too cautious
It’s important to be careful and not flamboyant, yet that can become obsessive. Being too careful is just as dangerous as being careless. There is no need to be highly calculating and analytic when, quite often, a little risk is all that’s needed. Nothing in life is ever too certain. Spending all your time being cautious will hinder your growth – and your success.
13. You don’t have a good support group
Having the wrong people around you can hinder you from realizing your vision. They can give up, stop trying, become distracted, put you down and more. Negative friends and supportive family members can destroy everything you’ve worked for and believed in from the very beginning. Surrounding yourself with supportive and positive people, including the people you choose to work with, will boost your confidence and in turn, boost your success.
14. You have an enormous ego
Being filled within yourself is detrimental to growth. By believing and thinking you are the end-all and be-all of everything will kill any possibility of your vision coming through. You are not as good as you think you are, especially if people do not believe in you. It is important to be proud of what you do, but do not allow that pride to consume your very being and what those around you think of you.
15. You haven’t done your research
Many people begin their journey for success by guesswork. This may seem hard to believe, but think about how many times you’ve done serious research into your sector whether its starting a business or learning an instrument. Without having an idea of what you’re getting into and where you’re going to spend your money on, it’s far less likely you know what’s to come. A hunch is not going to cut the bar in knowing what is required in your sector. Research prevails when achieving your ambition.
The 15 reasons, by far, are not the only reasons why many people lag behind success. I’ve selected reasons from many different facets of the journey to success, not just necessarily focusing on the typical wealth, fame & power mantra many have. Success varies on your lens. Take these 15 reasons on board in your everyday life. Print it out, copy it down, do what you need to do to keep this handy when you wonder why things may not be going well. I wish the very best in your vision.
