If you'd like to do better in your business... this post is for you.
If you're down in the dumps - no money, no clients, no prospects, no hope... this post is for you.
If you're doing great - and not sure exactly why or how long this "lucky streak" will last - this post is DEFINITELY for you...
There's a dirty word in business, especially among authors, speakers, and experts who, above all, feel that they should serve as shining examples of personal success and professional prosperity.
That word is shame.
It's easy to feel shame when your business is doing poorly. I'm not saying that it's RIGHT - but it sure is easy.
And yes, it's painful, negative, and unpleasant to feel shame. But perhaps there's an upside to that because it makes you feel uncomfortable to feel unsuccessful.
At least THAT part makes sense.
There's another kind of shame that is more pernicious, dangerous and much more common than you might think.
It's the shame of success.
It's when you juuuuust start to break through... when your business juuuuust starts to take off... when the money juuuuust starts to flow abundantly.
You're not only paying your bills, you're paying off debt (credit cards, home equity line, etc.), you're building up your savings, your rainy day fund is healthy, you're paying yourself regularly, you are even... GASP... putting away some nice money for retirement and/or your kids' college fund.
The it hits you... The Shame of Success. It's a little voice in your head.
You know what I'm talking about. I'll bet you even know what it's saying to you. Things like:
- This won't last - it's just a lucky streak...
- You're one step away from being broke again...
- Don't count your eggs before they hatch...
- You're not that good...
- You're not that smart...
- You can't even handle this much client work
- You're going to blow through all this cash and be back at Square 1...
- Your clients will find you out...
- Your friends won't like your new level of success...
- Better not tell anyone about this success, they'll be jealous...
- They'll think you're lying...
- They'll think you're bragging...
- They'll feel bad that they're not doing as well as you...
And on, and on, and on.
Please... stop the madness. Kill that voice. Catch yourself every time you hear it and tell it to go take a hike. Refocus. Recenter.
Remember once and for all - there is no shame in your success.
If you have REAL friends, they'll celebrate with you.
If you have friends who don't... guess what? They're not your real friends.
If misery loves company, it has company enough.
And it's time you quit that company.
You know who REALLY loves company?
- Passion loves company
- Achievers love company
- Winners love company
- Success loves company
There are already way too many people and circumstances that make you feel weak, unworthy, and unsuccessful... they do NOT need your help!
FACT: You TOTALLY deserve to be successful.
FACT: This is ABSOLUTELY your time to crush it.
FACT: YOU ROCK so hard, you don't even know it.
FACT: You are insanely GREAT.
FACT: You ARE fabulously successful - so KEEP GOING!!!
In the immortal words of the great Zig Ziglar, "I'll see you at the top!"
What do you think? Please leave a COMMENT below and let's hear YOUR advice, insights and recommendations on how not to get bushwhacked by the "shame of success."
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