I was doing some website clean-up this morning and came across an oldie but goody — a PDF published some years ago by Ken Evoy titled “Why People Fail.”
In this book, Ken outlines 13 different mentalities/personalities that cause failure.
Even though this book was written years ago, it contains eye-opening, in-your-face points that are still very relevant today.
From the Ready-Aim-Ready-Aim mentality (the person who plans, researches, plans, researches, and never starts) to the Fire-Fire-Fire-Fire-Fire-Fire mentality (the person who jumps from one idea to another and has trouble sticking with one concept because they lose patience if the money doesn’t roll in fast enough).
Ken does a great job of categorizing the various personalities. In one section he carefully describes one group as “IQ challenged”.
Don’t frown. That may sound insulting, but it was written quite tastefully. He bluntly points out that this business is not for everyone, just like any other line of work.
Unfortunately many people have trouble facing this fact. They believe that wanting to make money should be enough motivation to succeed, but it takes more than that.
Adding My Two Cents
If I were to add a 14th mentality to Ken’s list, it would be “Fear of Failure.” So many people never make it over the hump because they are afraid to fail.
I cannot tell you how many emails I’ve received from people who are hesitant to start a blog or a website because they worry no one will ever visit… as if it’s some kind of personal rejection.
Let me tell you. I’ve had more failed sites than profitable ones. And if it weren’t for those failures, I wouldn’t be earning a living online today.
It’s not about how long it takes you to succeed. It’s about acknowledging the mistakes you make and using those lessons to catapult yourself to the next level. And if that means trying 3 or 4 different concepts before finding the right one, so be it.
People forget that success is largely mental. If you go through this process plagued with fear of failure, it can stifle your creativity and prevent you from sticking with it when progress is slow.
That’s why so many people get too caught up in the Ready-Aim, Ready-Aim, Ready-Aim mentality Ken mentioned. They are afraid to step out of their safety net and just do it (as the old Nike campaign instructed.)
So if you haven’t read Ken’s mini book, give it a read (right-click, and “save as” to download). It’s free.
If you’re having trouble getting your site or blog off the ground, you may see yourself in this book. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It could be the reality check you need.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a great post! And I especially like what you wrote, “Let me tell you. I’ve had more failed sites than profitable ones. And if it weren’t for those failures, I wouldn’t be earning a living online today.”
The top home run hitters in baseball strike out between 50 and 70 percent of the time they are at bat. Each strike out is a learning opportunity to learn more about the pitcher, the batter’s own techniques, and is in fact, a lesson – not really a failure.
Thanks, I downloaded the book and look forward to reading it.
I know that many of us have believes that keep us from success and sometimes we are totally unaware of them.
I just had an awakening as I videoed desktop lessons for students who use my textbook: Strategic Publications: Designing For Target Markets. As I edited the videos, I was amazed at how much time I wasted rather than going directly to the command I needed.
So I’ve promised myself to be more focused and waste less time throughout my business.
Follow on Twitter: @LamNuwin
That was a good quick read. People are still people so the points Ken makes are still true.
Follow on Twitter: @CarlaRose
Fear of failure has always been my biggest issue when it comes to starting an online business. Recently, I decided to jump right into it. No matter what happens, it will be a great experience for me.
Very nice post Lisa worth reading and I agree with you.
No matter business you go in you need think positive and work on it and one day will come where you just hit nail right on head and success will folow.
Govindji Patel
Oh my gosh! I love this book! Thanks Lisa!:)
-Very thought provoking…Got a lot from it.
sounds like a great book, i will download and read. thanks for passing it alone.
Thanks Lisa!
A very good and a very good book. I’ve downloaded and read it and I’d also like to add my 2 cents.
#15 Mentality is related to the one you added, but 180 degrees opposed. I would call it “Fear of Success”.
Some people have a (sick) sense of pride on their self pityness and will avoid every tiny chance of success like the plague. Some of them aren’t even aware of that trait of their personality and try really hard, but just when things start to turn toward success they start (mostly uncounsciously) to savotage themselves, ending in (yet another) failure.
They will whine about that failure, but deep inside they will feel relieved that their lives of failures will still be able to inspire some pity in others and in themselves.
Very interesting indeed. This book gives me a lot.
I discovered myself and have to put some hard questions on me to reinvent myself or i will never be successfull with a website.
A great post from you.
Thanks Lisa.
Norbert (from Germany)
You keep a brotha head where it belong……..in the books. Good looking stay in touch.
Follow on Twitter: @touaregdesign
First, let me tell you that I’ve been bookmarking your site for some years now and I spend almost an hour every other day on either your site or blog. What I like about you is that you don’t shy away from sharing your success story with newbies like myself. I really appreciate it and Please keep up the good work.
Abdel´s last blog … HTML Tables
Hello Lisa,
All I have to say is who!
Ken really hit the nail on the head. I ‘m sorry to say, but I fit into all those category in degree or another. Out of the 13, I probably fit at number 5, envious. I wanted to started with online income about 8 or 10 years ago. I didn’t follow through, because I lack the knowledge of personally development and persistence to through success. I thank you for sharing this valuable information with me as you do with other that comes to your site. This gave me the inspiration to get back on the bandwagon.
I like your idea on just trying harder, it is like building your own self- esteem, and growing into your career if you don’t give up. Finding new strageties is a great way like you said, and i think you just need to know what works best for you.