No experience, no learning.  The learning, the lesson, comes AFTER the experience. [Bhagavad Gita.]

Many avoid new experiences, fear new opportunities, because of the unknown.

Years ago I wanted to learn why some people succeed while others wallow in their troubles.

I conducted a non-scientific, not statistical, small-sample survey, of a few Clinical Psychologists and a handful of successful people. I also spent considerable time, back then, reading many books of advice and a few biographies.  Yes, we can say some people try to reach for success because they are motivated.

WHY are some motivated and others not?  MY OPINION?  Those who reach for success know intuitively that which was written thousands of years ago in the Bhagavad Gita:  “The lesson comes after the experience.” If one does not try, one can never achieve success. Those who want success must learn to try in the spirit of merely learning  what works and what does not.  Step by step one learns what it takes to conquer one’s obstacles on the path to success.  Here’s long list of why people may not even try. 

  1. Fear of success–succeeding draws too much attention and with attention comes criticism.
  2. Fear of failing–failing also draws too much attention and with that comes criticism.
  3. Confused thinking.
  4. Opinions based on only partial or even wrong information. Websites are notorious for failing to notify readers of posts which are merely opinions.
  5. Confusing ego with value. This manifests itself when someone “over reacts” or attributes more significance than deserved to negative outcomes.
  6. Lack of energy.
  7. Conditioned to not try.
  8. Repressed by peers.
  9. Failure or unwillingness to re-balance once priorities and time.
  10. Wrong prioritizing.  When we look at just about any list we can determine that the “Pareto” principle can be applied. [Search this website for more info on Pareto.]
  11. Trying for 100% in everything and bragging about being a perfectionist.
  12. Making decisions entirely by ego: by what makes one feel important.
  13. In a rut or comfort zone and wanting to stay there.
  14. Feeling or believing one is entitled and the opportunity will come to him or her in due time.
  15. Fear of adventure.
  16. Not interested.
  17. Rejects committing to the mundane, boring and doesn’t see the bigger picture.
  18. Aug, 7, 2012, FORBES magazine offered this one:  “You just don’t believe it”.
  19. Overly protective of one’s “bird in the hand.”
  20. Fear of the unknown. “What if it goes wrong?”
  21. Lack self-confidence.
  22. Failure to understand, study or learn enough details about the opportunity.
  23. Unwillingness to study or acquire the knowledge and skills to step up.
  24. Unwilling to try or to persist. The lightbulb would be a lot duller and burn out a lot sooner had the inventors given up at try 999.
  25. Failure to analyze past mistakes and past failures, leading to repeating the same “failure patterns”.
  26. Taking on too big an objective, goal, or task instead of working towards it in increments.
When it comes to trying new opportunities some people just do not understand, or they don’t want to accept,  the hard work and risks that go with seeking the any new experience.  The learning, the lesson, comes AFTER the experience. [Bhagavad Gita.]