Previous lesson plan: Think And Grow Rich – The Sixth Sense – Lessons From Chapter 14
This chapter starts with the sentence: “Take inventory of yourself, as you read this closing chapter, and find out how many of the ghosts are standing in your way.”
Indecision, doubt and fear – as long as one of these enemies or a blend of them is in place, we are unable to receive information, hints or hunches from the Sixth Sense.
That’s why it’s crucial to extinguish these three enemies.
The six basic enemies are:
–> fear of poverty
–> fear of criticism
–> fear of ill health
–> fear of loss of love of someone
–> fear of old age
–> fear of death
It’s highly important to clear them out because they are very powerful emotions – the only language our subconscious mind understands.
When we’re running these emotions, our subconscious mind considers this as an important order and it wants to help us to fulfill this order.
Chances are the fear manifests itself in the event we fear, for example impoverishment.
I say: Regardless if it manifests itself in its physical equivalent or not, even if it doesn’t because the universe protects us from ourselves – a life lived in fear can be the hell on earth.
It can make a sunny day grey, and the sweetest wine taste bitter – without reason.
The following happens:
1. We fear something, for example loss of money.
2. We send emotionally charged thought impulses to our subconscious mind.
3. It understands:”Lose money” – and tries to follow the order…
Bad enough if we really lose money. Mission accomplished.
The subconcious mind “expects” recognition because it accomplished its mission – and gets sent even more negative thoughts.
It’s like a dog that gets beaten up by its master while it “thinks” that it did something good.
However is it a good thing if we don’t lose money after we sent this thought impulse to our subconscious mind ?
Superficially yes, but not for the subconscious mind because it is disappointed that it wasn’t able to accomplish the important mission.
If we send an order to our subconscious mind, it’s like opening a drawer in our brain.
This open drawer creates tension, and our subconscious mind wants to close this drawer again in order to neutralize the tension.
This is known as the Zeigarnic Effect. Psychwiki says:
“The Zeigarnik Effect is the tendency to experience intrusive thoughts about an objective that was once pursued and left incomplete (Baumeister & Bushman, 2008, pg. 122). The automatic system signals the conscious mind, which may be focused on new goals, that a previous activity was left incomplete. It seems to be human nature to finish what we start and, if it is not finished, we experience dissonance. ”
The automatic system is our subconscious mind.
We can use this effect perfectly for achieving goals – setting a goal is nothing else than opening a drawer.
And our automatic system wants to close this drawer and get rid of the dissonance and helps us reach our goal.
But it doesn’t distinguish between a constructive goal and a destructive goal fueled by the emotion of fear.
So if you fear illness and don’t become sick – good luck for you.
However, chances are you experience emotional and physical dissonances not anyway, but because you didn’t become sick. The previous activity (= becoming sick) was left incomplete.
So we have to do something in order to close the open drawer. That means: Reach constructive goals (for example lose weight) and get rid of destructive goals by neutralizing our fears.
Too easy or too complicated ? Don’t worry, these two are sometimes closely together.
Motivation enough to clear out fear ?
Let me add something (you see I’m an expert in this field):
One of my biggest fear was that of poverty or that of going broke. I know that the existence of this fear assured that I didn’t go broke.
The fear sold me successfully that it guarantees our financial well-being.
That was true: I worked as if the devil was after me and we always made more than enough money.
This type of balance has its price, it’s like mental cold war. No peace of mind, no harmony. It wasn’t even an armistice, it was war.
To me, it was like borrowing something I didn’t deserve, just like the protagonist in Honoré de Balzac’s novel “La peau de chagrin” (The Magic Skin): Raphael de Valentin purchases a piece of tanned donkey skin. Anytime he wishes something, the wish will be fulfilled. However, the donkey skin shrinks a little bit every time a wish is fulfilled. At the end, when the skin is only stamp-sized, he gets mad and even forbade his servants from asking him:”Sir, do you have a wish ?”
Fear has a tendency of nourishing itself, it even does some good (prevent me from going broke), but the toll is enormous.
At the end of the day, we wind up fearing the fear. We also are afraid of getting rid of the fear because we think we might lose the cold war-like yet fragile balance of fear.
Too easy or too complicated ? Don’t worry, these two are sometimes closely together.
This chapter is very powerful – probably the most important one ?
With that said, I took the decision to write individual lesson plans for each of these fears and about the Devil’s Workshop and to publish them on my blog on a weekly basis.
So we’ve got seven new lesson plans about Think and grow rich.
It starts with Think And Grow Rich – The Ghost Of Fear Of Poverty Pt. 1
Additionally, I’m going to write lesson plans about Think and grow rich every week.
They will be published on Squidoo.com. Here’s the first one: Think and grow rich – Introduction – Advanced lessons from chapter 1
Read how it all started and why I do it at Think and grow rich – Introduction – Lessons From Chapter 1
So what is your opinion ?
I always love your feedback, so please leave me a comment down below with questions, thoughts, or feedback.
And (yes, here’s my call to action) please share this post with your Twitter and Facebook friends by clicking on the share buttons below. I appreciate you telling others.
To a prosperous life,
Oliver Tausend
+49 1512 9125216 office Germany & rest of the world (anytime)
+1 201 984 5664 office North America (anytime)
Skype ID: guernsey2016 (anytime)
wordpress@olivertausend.com
What your upline doesn’t tell you about MLM, read it here for free
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Twitter: JymTarrant
says:
Hey Oliver,
Profound as ever. This is a really deep subject!
Sometimes I think we are not even conscious of what the fear is that’s holding us back from taking action. The ‘reasons’ we give ourselves are merely excuses, but identifying honestly the underlying fear holds real power for transmuting it.
That said, fear is useful as well, as you pointed out – it saved you from going broke! For example, isn’t a fear of sharks quite healthy when choosing which part of the ocean to swim in?
So I do believe in identifying and understanding your fears, but then keeping those which serve a useful purpose (and keeping them in check of course), and releasing the ‘unnecessary’ fears by getting to their core and releasing them. Not a small work!
Thanks again Oliver for an interesting and insightful post…
All the best,
Jym
Jym recently posted..The One Essential Tool You Need To Attract Money – Here’s The Scientific Proof!
[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
December 15th, 2010 at 11:16
Hi Jym,
thanks for your profound comment as well.
Fear of real dangers is useful. The trouble is that our acquired fear suggests danger where there are none. It pretends that there are sharks in the ocean when there are none, to use your example.
In our modern world, real dangers are rare, compared to former times.
It amazes me that people are afraid of going broke and don’t think one second about the dangers of their commute to their job – this commute could cost their lives. Going broke not.
Take care
Oliver
[Reply]
Oliver,
very powerful thought provoking stuff, seriously. Fear is such a tormentor! Interesting how it works internally, and how we succumb to it, like a slave. I think about this many times, when I start something new, the fear of new things. The only and best way is to do the new thing, and overcome the fear, regardless how inadequate I may have felt.
Lots to think about and confront in this post,
thanks for sharing.
Joe
Joe Young recently posted..Day-By-Day- A Forgotten Concept
[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 23:50
Hi Joe,
feacing fear and doing it anyway, that’s the key. However, it makes sense to neutralize fear because it might attract negative circumstances.
Thanks for stopping and adding value to my post.
Take care
Oliver
[Reply]
Twitter: MavisNong
says:
Hey Oliver,
Wow, what a powerful and thought provoking post!! You’re right, this must be a very important chapter.
We live with fear, it follows us wherever we go, whatever we do. The problem is when we don’t take any action to overcome it.
On the other hand, fear can help us in a positive way, as you mentioned that it helped you from going broke. The key here is to distinguish between a negative fear and a positive one.
Great job. Thanks for sharing your insights and for the inspiration.
All the best,
Mavis Nong
Mavis Nong-Attraction Marketing Online recently posted..5 Top Tips That Will Transform Your Blog and Business
[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 23:46
Hi Mavis,
to me, there’s no such thing as positive fears – apart from fears that really warns us of true dangers. Most of fears are educated fears and simply bad habits protected by strong emotions.
Anyone faces fear, successful people act despite fear.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Take care
Oliver
[Reply]
Twitter: ilkaflood
says:
Hi Oliver,
Fear… oh wow! It can be a good thing and it can be a bad thing. For example in your case fear of poverty was a good thing. Someone once said: “Money doesn’t motivate me, but the fear of going broke does.”
But at the same token, fear (of failure or success) can stop us right in our tracks and totally paralyze us if we don’t know how to work with it.
Definitely a thought provoking post. Thanks for sharing it and looking forward to more.
Ilka
Ilka Flood recently posted..What Exactly Is A Pyramid Scheme And Are You Involved In One
[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 23:44
Hi Ilka,
being motivated by fear is like a drug. There’s no need of being motivated by fear, it’s not healthy at all.
So I took the decision to neutralize fears and thus getting rid of them.
Thanks for your comment.
Take care
Oliver
[Reply]
Hi Oliver
Great strong post, have to let it sink in
. Some issues are very recognizable.
Thanks
Ellen Pouw
[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 23:26
Hi Ellen.
thanks for stopping by. Of course, letting it sink in is highly important
Take care
Oliver
[Reply]
Hi Oliver,
Awesome post! I agree with what you’ve just said and I just wanted to add that fear is also just a state of mind. Also if you combat fear, fear becomes stronger. So my suggestion is to let go of your fears and let it pass. The only fear that you want to adapt is the fear of the Lord and nothing else. This is indeed a deep subject but thanks for sharing this.
Sonny Lanorias recently posted..What’s The Entire Point of Building A Network Marketing Business
[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 23:25
Hi Sonny,
I fully agree with you: Fighting fear eventually makes it stronger, thanks for pointing that one out. It’s like an unruly child: If you pay attention to the unruliness, it will aggravate. Pressure creates counter-pressure.
Thanks again for adding value !
Take care
Oliver
[Reply]
Oliver I too think this is probably the most important chapter. I agree with Ryan that fear is insidious and most people are ruled by it. You have done a great job in summarizing it and sharing your past fears around money.
For many years I held a belief that I would always have enough money but I would always have to work really hard for it. Consequently I almost worked myself into my grave! I felt guilty if I was not working. It is really sick.
Thanks Oliver.
Sue
Sue Price recently posted..Home Business Tips – Design a Life
[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 00:22
Hi Sue,
you name it: It’s insane, sick.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your insights.
Take care
Oliver
[Reply]
Another great post from you there Oliver… I really enjoyed staying here in your blog that is why I keep on coming back for new updates… Thanks again..
[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 00:19
Hi Zutchelli,
you are most welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Take care
Oliver
[Reply]
Twitter: stephensheather
says:
Hi Oliver,
Thanks for helping me to see something differently. Fear of poverty is a real fear and something that’s not plagued me before, but has haunted me for the last few days. I’ve been scared after watching the video created by Mike Dillard recently.
I’ve avoided the news for years (really since right after 9-11) at first because my daughter saw the terrorist attack on TV at 3 years old and was so confused and scared, and I felt like I wanted to protect her from it. And I continued to avoid the news because I didn’t want to pollute my mind with all the negativity and scarcity thinking. I got to the point that it was almost like I was afraid to listen because I didn’t want to be sending out the negative thoughts. But at the same time I’ve felt tension because I haven’t felt educated about what is happening to our economy.
Maybe that’s why this video rocked my foundation so much. I wonder if my fear of watching the news and being in a scarcity mindset was like that open drawer, my mind had to close?
Interestingly enough, I’m sure that the purpose of the video Dillard sent out was to motivate people through the fear of poverty to take action and join his group so that we’d have the information we need to avoid living in poverty. And as a marketer looking at what he’s accomplished with is video, it’s so apparent that these 6 core fears and huge hot-buttons that can easily be pushed. I need to be more aware and consider that the next time I watch something that brings up fear.
Oliver…you’ve definitely given me something to think about. And, I’m so excited you’re going to be continuing to publish more content around think and grow rich. Thank you for taking us on this journey with you. You are sharing life-changing information. I think you should compile all these posts into a book! Very valuable information.
Heather
Heather C Stephens recently posted..Personal Branding- It is Not About You Inc
[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 00:19
Hi Heather,
wow, what a powerful comment, obviously from the bottom of your heart.
Fear is fear – it is not real, only in very few instances.
According to Robert Kiyosaki, the acronym of fear is False Evidence Appearing Real.
This is something I always remind myself of when fear wants to sell me that is is real.
Especially when the button are pushed, fear takes care of itself – unless we stop and prevent it from happening.
I am glad that I was able to give you food for thought.
Take care
Oliver
[Reply]
Twitter: marcus_baker
says:
Hi Oliver,
As usual I loved your careful and perceptive analysis.
I have always found fear a fascinating topic because it either motivates one to take action to prevent the ‘false evidence’ from ever manifesting or one becomes so fixated on the illusion that it unfolds anyway as a result of the law of attraction.
Personally I find that consciously focusing on outcomes I do want to manifest in my life interrupts any possibility of fixating on ‘false evidence’ but it is a matter for continual vigilance.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Don’t let Your Auto Responder Hold you to Ransom
[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
December 20th, 2010 at 17:17
Hi Marcus,
the trouble that our subconscious mind is happy with orders it fails to deliver – so it’s highly important to stop sending fearful thoughts to our subconscious mind.
Thanks for stopping by and adding value, as usual
Take care
Oliver
[Reply]
Hi Oliver,
Thanks again for a brilliant lesson. What I’m realizing from this chapter is not only does fear make you stop taking the necessary actions you need to do, but because it conjures up negative images in your mind and sends them straight to your subconscious mind, you take actions that are detrimental to yourself.
It’s all about controlling the your own mind.
Take care,
Wayne
Wayne Wu recently posted..A Simple Formula for Network Marketing Success
[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
December 20th, 2010 at 17:15
Hi Wayne,
that’s actually what it is: Fear prevents you from doing the right things and it makes you do wrong things.
Thanks for stopping by and clarifying that.
Take care
Oliver
[Reply]
Hello Oliver,
Those six basic enemies that you enlisted are really so true. My most feared enemy is the loss of love one. Maybe almost all of us has that kind of fear. whew such a grad feeling knowing that someone will be saying goodbye to us. Thanks for sharing this Steve.. It’s worth the read!
[Reply]
Hey Oliver
I liked this entire article, but one of the many few quotes you used; this one tickled me
The subconcious mind “expects” recognition because it accomplished its mission – and gets sent even more negative thoughts.
As though you weren’t already hurting and your subconcious mind wants to kick you when your down and make your life a living hell even more. I think each and everyone of us go through these trials in life. whether it applies to marketing or not. But once we start to find a happy golden moment in our life we don’t think or ponder so much on the negative things in life; but only the good that will come of it. I got a lot out of this article and your a great writer at that.
Steven Dean
Steven Dean recently posted..The Importance Of Having a WordPress Self-Hosted Blog
[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 12:50
Hi Steve,
thanks for your comment and compliment, very much appreciated. Our subconscious mind is really a tricky thing – it fulfills every wish but doesn’t distinguish if it makes sense or not.
Come back soon and take care
Oliver
[Reply]
Twitter: prfuller
says:
Hey Oliver
I agree, very powerful chapter
Nothing worse than fearing fear. I would like to think that I do not fear anything but that would not be realistic.
Peter
Peter Fuller recently posted..The 1 Internet Marketing Skill needed for 2011
[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
January 10th, 2011 at 19:16
Hi Peter,
agreed, fear is your biggest enemy.
Thanks for your comment.
Take care
Oliver
[Reply]
[...] might sound harmless at first sight is even more dangerous than any of the six basic human fears because it works subtly and therefore often remains [...]
[...] Previous lesson plan about this chapter (December 2011): Think And Grow Rich – The Six Ghosts Of Fear – Lessons From Chapter 15 [...]