Facing the enemies within

We are not born with courage, but neither are we born with fear. 

Many years ago, one of my early mentors, the late Jim Rohn, taught me a lesson that has stuck with me ever since.

He said that the biggest obstacles to success aren’t usually external. They’re internal.

In fact, he spoke about what he called “the enemies within.”

And over the years I’ve realised just how true that is.

You see, most people think their progress is being held back by the economy, interest rates, the government, the media or the property market.

But often the real battle is happening inside their own heads.

Jim Rohn explained that there are several internal enemies we need to defeat if we want to build a successful life.

The first is indifference.

It’s that “ho-hum” attitude. The idea of drifting through life and seeing what happens.

But as Jim used to say, you can’t drift your way to the top of the mountain.

Successful people are intentional. They make decisions. They move forward with purpose.

The second enemy is indecision.

Indecision quietly robs people of opportunity.

In investing I see this all the time. Someone researches the market, analyses the data, talks to advisers… and then hesitates.

Meanwhile someone else takes action and the opportunity disappears.

As Jim Rohn said, indecision is the thief of opportunity.

The third enemy is doubt.

A little healthy scepticism is fine. But destructive doubt is different.

It’s the voice that whispers:
“Maybe this won’t work.”
“Maybe I’m not ready.”
“Maybe I should wait another year.”

And before you know it, years have passed, and nothing has changed.

The fourth enemy is worry.

We all worry at times. But worry is meant to be a signal, not a lifestyle.

Jim used a great analogy.

If you step off the curb and a taxi is coming, worry can be useful. It makes you step back.

But if worry runs your life, it paralyses you.

And the fifth enemy is over-caution.

This is particularly relevant for investors.

Over-caution sounds sensible. But in reality it often masks fear.

If you wait for certainty before you act, you’ll be waiting forever.

The most successful investors I know aren’t reckless. But they are decisive and courageous.

Jim Rohn summed it up beautifully when he said we must do battle with these internal enemies and build the courage to pursue the life we want.

And that’s a lesson I’ve tried to apply throughout my own investment journey.

Because building wealth isn’t just about strategy, property selection, or timing the market.

It’s about mastering the mindset that allows you to take action despite uncertainty.

When you think about it, the real battle for success is rarely out there in the market.

It’s happening inside us.

And the investors who win in the long run are the ones who learn to defeat those enemies within.

Do battle with the enemy. Do battle with your fears.

Build your courage to fight what's holding you back, what's keeping you from your goals and dreams.

Be courageous in your life and in your pursuit of the things you want and the person you want to become.

About Jim Rohn The late Jim Rohn was America's Foremost Business Philosopher. Subscribe to the free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine. Also review the complete Jim Rohn archive of articles, vitamins for the mind and Q and A. Copyright © 1999 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide.