People get frustrated with me when I tell them that it’s very likely the greatest obstacle to success they face is themselves.
They tell me I don’t understand, but I do. They tell me I don’t know, but I do. They tell me I don’t know how tough it can be “out there,” but I do.
I also know that in any situation where I’ve struggled to advance or accomplish a goal my greatest enemy was within me. That enemy slowed down my progress. My doubts about my own abilities prevented me from moving forward. Those doubts opened the door to my true enemy which was fear of failure.
Despite the compliments I get about my speaking ability, the things I write and other stuff I do, I know this undeniable truth about myself…overall I’m a pretty average person. I don’t say that about myself in a bad way, in fact my “averageness” is one of my greatest strengths. It helps me relate to the people I’m trying to help.
That’s why I can say with a high degree of confidence, I do understand, I do know.
I also know my main enemy is within a me!
I know the best way for me to block that enemy is to believe in myself. People who believe in themselves are pretty darn near impossible to stop. When YOU believe in yourself you are pretty much unstoppable.
Believing in yourself leaves no room for doubt. Without doubt to open the door fear has no way into your head.
Any battle is halfway won when when your enemy within is kept away. Obstacles become opportunities when the enemy within you can’t mess with your head.
So the next time doubt starts to creep into your thoughts you need to immediately ask yourself, “is this an actual problem, or is this the enemy within a me just tearing down my confidence?”
If you’re average like me, and most of you are, (see, that’s how “average” works) you’ll know it’s the enemy within. You should also know you can defeat it by ignoring it. I know that if you believe in yourself you will be unstoppable.
I know that about you cause I know that about me. I’ll never let the enemy within a me make me doubt my ability and neither you should you.
First, conquer the enemy within and then the world.
Yep, that’s the only order that works!
Great post as usual Steve. None of us wants to think of ourselves as average. We have extenuating circumstances. It’s just that we all have them. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks Mike, hope you have a way above average Thanksgiving yourself!