The Thirty Major Causes of Failure

How many of these are holding your back?

Life’s greatest tragedy consists of men and women who earnestly try, and fail! The tragedy lies in the overwhelmingly large majority of people who fail, as compared to the few who succeed.

I have had the privilege of analyzing several thousand men and women, 98% of whom were classed as “failures.” There is something radically wrong with a civilization, and a system of education, which permit 98% of the people to go through life as failures. But I did not write this book for the purpose of moralizing on the rights and wrongs of the world; that world require a book a hundred times the size of this one.

My analysis work proved that there are thirty major reasons for failure, and thirteen major principles through ascription of the thirty major causes of failure will be given. As you go over the list, check yourself by it. Point by point, for the purpose of discovering how many of these causes of failure stand between you and success.

1)   Unfavorable hereditary background individual.

2)   Lack of a well-defined purpose in life.

3)   Lack of ambition to aim above mediocrity.

4)   Insufficient education.

5)   Lack of self-discipline

6)   Ill health

a.     Overeating of foods not conducive to health

b.     Wrong habits of thought; give expression to negatives

c.      Wrong use of and over indulgence in, sex

d.     Lack of proper physical exercise

e.     An inadequate supply of fresh air, due to improper breathing

7)   Unfavorable environmental influences during childhood.

8)   Procrastination.

9)   Lack of persistence.

10)         Negative personality.

11)         Lack of controlled sexual urge.

12)         Uncontrolled desire for “something for nothing.”

13)         Lack of well-defined power of decision

14)         One or more of the six basic fears.

15)         Wrong selection of a mate in marriage.

16)         Over-caution.

17)          Wrong selection of associates, in business.

18)         Superstition and prejudice

19)         Wrong selection of a vocation.

20)          Lack of concentration of effort.

21)          The habit of indiscriminate spending.

22)          Lack of enthusiasm.

23)          Intolerance

24)          Intemperance.

25)          Inability to cooperate with others.

26)          Possession of power that was not acquired through self effort.

27)          Intention dishonesty

28)          Egotism and vanity

29)         Guessing instead of thinking.

30)         Lack of capital

31)     Under this, name particular cause of failure from which you have suffered that has not been included in the foregoing list.

In these thirty major causes of failure is found a description of the tragedy of life. Which obtains for practically every person who tries and fails. It will be helpful if you can induce someone who knows you well to go over this list with you, and help to analyze you by the thirty causes of failure. It may be beneficial if you try this alone. Most people cannot see themselves as others see them. You may be one who cannot.

The oldest of admonitions is “Man, know theyself!” If you market merchandise successfully, you must know the merchandise. The same is true in marketing personal services. You should know all of your weaknesses in order that should know your strength in order that you may call attention to it when selling your services. You can know yourself only through accurate analysis.

The folly of ignorance in connection with self was displayed by a young man who applied to the manager of a well-known business of a position. He made a very good impression until the manager asked him what salary he expected. He replied that he had no fix sum in min (lack of a definite aim). The manager then said, “We will pay you all you are worth, after we try you out for a week.”

“I will not accept it,” the applicant replied, “because I am getting more than that where I am now readjustment of your salary in your present position, or to seek employment elsewhere, be sure that you are worth more than you now receive.

It is one thing to want money- everyone wants more but it is something entirely different to be worth more! Many people mistake their wants for their just dues. Your financial requirements or wants have nothing whatever to do with your worth. Your value is established entirely by your ability to render useful service or your capacity to in due other to render such service.

Source: Think and Grow Rich