When I talk about a fear of success, some people look at me like I’m crazy. They ask “Why would you fear success? Isn’t that what you want?”
Of course, success is what you want. It’s what we all want.
However, here’s what I’ve observed about the person who asks this question. He or she does not have short-circuits about the unintended consequences of success and money.
This means that the implications of success and money do not faze this person. He or she anticipates being able to successfully deal with whatever happens.
Here’s an example. I was talking about my profession to someone.
He mentioned that he wouldn’t even want to win the lottery because all his family members would ask for money. And then he said how money causes problems “like that.”
I asked “What does ‘like that?’ mean? And who gives pieces of paper we call ‘money’ the power to cause interpersonal discord?”
I explained that the issues are with the people, not the money. And if the people don’t resolve the issues, it just lies dormant until some situation, financial or otherwise, triggers the issue.
So can you imagine that if this person had drive and ambition, the thought of dealing with relatives over his new-found wealth would be a less-than-energizing influence?
This is precisely why someone might harbor a fear of success and money. Rather than say “I will deal with it at the time,” he or she might let this fester into a mental and emotional short-circuit.
This will distract you from giving full and total focus to your money-making activity. It will interfere despite your best efforts to give full and unbridled attention to the deal, prospect, or project at hand.
And it will cause you to hesitate, stumble, and hold back when others make bold plans, charge ahead, and bring their full attention and complete focus to making money.
If this is an issue, you can deal with it. Make the money and take your chances. You should have lots of problems like this, wouldn’t you agree?
Filed under: Talk Yourself Out of Money Tagged: | money relationship
