Reducing The Simon Factor

Posted on August 28, 2008 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

“The size of your thinking, goals, attitude, and even your personality is greatly influenced by your environment.”

The number one obstacle to reaching a higher level of success is a lack of belief. Where one has a driving fear or doubt that an accomplishment can be attained.

Such a lack of belief is usually birthed, and nurtured, by an array of suppressive influences in our environment which continually work to keep our thinking (and lives) at a mediocre level. These suppressive forces can include the media, co-workers, our current job, one's ethnic culture, our living environment, and even our own comfort zone.

But sadly, many times the most negative force will arise from a select group of individuals, who you personally know, who are content to live a mediocre life - and who try to intimidate others into doing the same.

Remember: “People who tell you something cannot be done almost always are unsuccessful themselves - and are themselves usually always strictly average or mediocre in terms of accomplishment.” (Rev. Norman Vincent Peale) Nay-sayers are everywhere. They delight in sabotaging the positive progress of others to justify their own lack of effort and sloth. Effective leaders are careful to fight off these negative, suppressive influences by surrounding themselves with individuals who think progressively. Who confidently believe in themselves... and in others.

Spend your time with those who are already successful - and who firmly believe YOU can accomplish their same level of success… or even more!