Many times we want to be successful in the areas of our life that are important to us. From our family to careers and investments, we all want to know the joys of success. However, if we are honest, there are times when we are very close to achieving success and we do things to sabotage our future. Why is that?
John Maxwell has been teaching leadership for many years. One of the principles he shares about leadership is called “The Law of the Cap.” This law states that each of us has a limit on how high we can climb the ladder of success. When we reach the top of our ladder, anything that would make us climb higher is sabotaged by our own thinking. People cannot rise above the caps they have erected for their lives unless they learn to lift the cap.
Think of professional athletes. Most come from poor or middle-income families and have never had real wealth before. They sign contracts worth millions and now have access to huge amounts of cash. Most of these athletes squander their new wealth and, after their careers, are poor again. Some discover how to use wealth to their advantage and earn more money in retirement than as athletes (look at Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan, who became extremely wealthy after their basketball careers ended.
It’s common to hear about people who don’t seem to be doing better. The problem may stem from the fact that these people have never seen themselves improving and fear that if they do it too well they may alienate them from their friends and family. Misery loves company. Poor people are not supporting their friends to get rich. Middle class people do not pressure others to do better than they are doing. Sadly, the only person who needs to know for sure what is driving you to succeed is you. Nobody wants you to do it better than you
It is possible to be afraid of getting rich or to have real success. The status quo is where our highest comfort level exists, but it cannot succeed by settling for the status quo. It requires taking risks and looking outside of the traditional box to find the dream you are looking for. Leaving what is to go to what can be is the key to finding lasting success. Don’t let fear or lack of experience keep you from achieving your dreams.