Is success a catalyst for failure?

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Is success a catalyst for failure?

by Nelley @ 2012-08-13 – 04:21:51

My tip; do not look back to your own past, because it will get you back down again.

A number of people in business when they reach to the zenith or summit of their personal goals they might feel guilty to have succeeded to become triumphant, due to the demographical ambiance that leads to envy around them among the failures... the key is not to look down to the old paths while you struggle to get up the ladder. I know it's very hard to do, indeed, it was for me, every time I reached to my goals I said to myself: "why am I up here, while others are still down there trying to reach my ankles to pull me down again?" so my advice is don't look back because it will yield you to a standstill that might be forever.

Nevertheless the best part of my life is when I tried to force myself to get up there on the summit while huffing and puffing into a sweat to succeed. Metaphorically; I loved the challenge and the struggle going up the mountain far more than the platform up here at the begrudged time where I'm now, and with a smile to lovely memories of the past.

Nelly

RELATED TOPIC:

Why don't successful people and organizations automatically become very successful?

One important explanation is due to what I call "the clarity paradox," which can be summed up in four predictable phases:

Phase 1: When we really have clarity of purpose, it leads to success.
Phase 2: When we have success, it leads to more options and opportunities.
Phase 3: When we have increased options and opportunities, it leads to diffused efforts.
Phase 4: Diffused efforts undermine the very clarity that led to our success in the first place.

Curiously, and overstating the point in order to make it, success is a catalyst for failure.

MORE:
http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/08/the_disciplined_pursuit_of_less.html
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54 Comments to Is success a catalyst for failure?

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- Anchorman
- 2012-08-13 @ 05:53:01
The business world is an odd orb, whenever your try to succeed someone out there will try to get you down as fast as possible, it's called “business rivalry” nothing to it, just do your best according to your major plans to your own and personal satisfaction and you will never fall back, ever!!!

Ancho
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- - HÅKON
  - http://politiquor.blog.ca/
  - 2012-08-14 @ 06:06:43
  In Schwartz's estimation, choice has made us not freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied... more on my blog!
  
  HÅKON
  - - Nelley
    - 2012-08-22 @ 22:05:03
    Barry Schwartz is right on the dot, he also demonstrates that less is more and somehow sufficient, for him, but it doesn't mean that it's any better because ''we'' people in the western communities are gearing into the industrialised world for the past 100 years or more.... even more now than ever, we love to have choices and it does expand more jobs, thus more currency to spend more, and invest more for other scientific research to create more machines, garments, electronics, food chains, and stuff to sell more stuff -- as we spin into generating more money to afford more luxury items in a vast variety... where do I stop?
    
    This could go on forever... as they say MONEY spins the World around but does it make you happier? I have yet to discover it for the past 48 years, because I've actually started to work since I was 12 years old!!
    
    Anyone?
    
    Nelly
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  - - McZarina
    - 2012-08-24 @ 05:09:53
    GREAT video HÅKON: (mirrored)
    
    Okay I've just admitted, less is more, however more feeds more individuals, in order to design and create more Jeans-pants, shorts, shirts, skirts, even Denim dresses for example you end up creating an industry that hires many employers with salaries, therefore it's a good thing, this world's population increases everyday (6,973,738,433 - 2011) most of them need clothes, and since they have jobs - they might afford clothing, and since they have jobs they can also buy what they need such as food, housing, get higher education to become genuinely more inventive and productive etc, it's an endless engaging loop... this is what makes the world go round!
    
    Marina
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- AZ-Jean
- 2012-08-13 @ 08:22:34
According to Greg McKeown clutter has to get off and reduced for better business' and its agendas, does he mean less people doing a job is better? What happens when the business gets huge volumes? No one can remain at work for over 10 hours a day strait, unless you're lifeless! Typocal American all work and no fun whatsoever, this is why so many of them get heart attacks!

- Jean
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- - Anchorman
  - 2012-08-13 @ 23:19:55
  Don't be fooled!!! Greg McKeown's getting rid of the clutter insinuation actually means LAYOFFS, and most obviously no overtime (paycheck) or people working beyond office hours, BUT - here's the goody for the boss on the top - since everyone uses cell-phones, the boss might call you anytime out of office hours for counseling and you aint on the working office hours, in other words, you aint paid a cent but still working, more honestly volunteerism and working for FREE for the boss upstairs!! Get it?
  
  Ancho
  - - HÅKON
    - http://politiquor.blog.ca/
    - 2012-08-14 @ 05:39:17
    Something to consider, wise advice!!
    
    HÅKON
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  - - Nelley
    - 2012-08-22 @ 22:19:00
    By GEORGE, I think he's got it!!!
    
    Ancho said it all in a few words, however there's no "why" or "because" --
    
    Here is why -- usually those that do get fired "laid-off" are the few that do not provide any rapid advancement or improvement to a company, and it's seen on their productivity tally which is often at YIELD -- for example, whatever company it is there has to be constant innovation, the same product and the same routine or traditional ways sometimes do not co-operate with new ideas, because some people are SCARED of the mysterious "NEW ideas" -- so they stick to the old ones like a tradition, and it's a bad thing!!
    
    Just my thought by experience..
    
    Nelly
    - - Anchorman
      - 2012-08-26 @ 13:22:55
      Thanks Nelly, it's all about setting your priorities and identify everyone of them individually because nothing is alike!!
      
      Ancho
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- Kitmouse
- 2012-08-14 @ 19:50:19
Not looking back and keep one thriving for more goals with clutter on your desk?

You're saying the contrary to the article, but of course it all depends on what side you have been struggling through, let say if you have reach on to the highest echelon of your goals, are you ready to go further even if it crushes everyone else around you, or would you cut down on your demands in respect to humanity?

Kate
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- - Nelley
  - 2012-08-22 @ 22:33:40
  KATE:
  
  "...if you have reach on to the highest echelon of your goals,"
  
  Here's the thing I have never reached my highest echelon of any GOALS yet, as they say the "SKY is the limit," I personally think the entire sphere might be the current limit till I find another galaxy, but within my personal life I have a few people that hold be back and down, constantly, with depressive words and negative bully pressure, the ONLY one that motivates me is my son, because he educates me how to go forward and explore other stuff with electronics all the time...
  
  I always loved electronic, my dad gave me the electronic bug, I will one day elaborate on this, but he hated the ARTS and the feminine side of the arts in one's life, tell you more another day!!
  
  Nelly
  - - Kitmouse
    - 2012-08-23 @ 03:54:55
    It's an endless circle!! Funny but true, the worst part is that the old parts of all the electronics have no recycling system yet, and a lot of things get dumped into landfields in Africa and China... have you seen this?
    
    Toxic city in Ghana from our discarded electronics
    http://worlogha.blog.ca/2011/06/17/toxic-city-in-ghana-11329343/
    
    Kate
    - - Nelley
      - 2012-08-23 @ 04:23:56
      That's right Kate,
      
      I have seen "Toxic city in Ghana from our discarded electronics" a while ago, there's also a lengthy documentary in German with all the minute details on how the European countries ship their rejected plastic with it's cooper wires found in cell-phones and I was shocked that most of the dirty work is done by children as young as 7 years old, and the native traders there like that stuff, they buy it all in bulk, some of it gets repaired and sold in a flee-market among a lot of other household appliances, such as Television sets, micro-waves, toasters, refrigerators, old batteries containers etc... All with imminence toxicity that totally destroyed a nearby lake whereas local fisherman used to fish but don't anymore because everything died.
      
      Nelly
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- Daridan
- 2012-08-15 @ 02:18:30
Greg McKeown has great points in this video (link I posted below, check it out,) but I'm not too sure if he says "LESS IS MORE" in this article on Harvard, in fact looking back and seeing what you have achieved in the past; making a list of your successive work may solve further mistakes because you may spot the "wrongs and good" in your achievements to sort out what you should stop repeating among the failing tasks...

Young Global Leaders 2012 - Greg McKeown
http://youtu.be/23E22buhQCg

Dari
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- - Nelley
  - 2012-08-22 @ 22:38:34
  WOW! DARI!!
  
  So less can be more for some, somehow it also makes sense, since time on this planet limits us, but you are young and don't let productivity restrain you!!
  
  It must be a great video, just what I need to watch in details, will do later and I will let you know what I think... soon enough!!
  
  Nelly
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- Quasuo
- 2012-08-15 @ 03:30:21
Too much leads to carelessness and lack of appreciation, it's like eating more while being already an obese human that can't taste gourmet food!!

Quasuo
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- HELLena
- 2012-08-15 @ 03:54:22
What Greg McKeown is saying is that problem solving within a crisis, which means 'when something doesn't work to produce income' try something else and reduce the gigantic excess you won't need in the first place... that is a good starting point to go forward!

HELL
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- Ma-Belly
- 2012-08-15 @ 14:53:26
Enric Sala was a professor at the prestigious Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, he left it to work as a concerned explorer for National Geographic - at the current time Enric Sala speak about his important exploration. The price of his dream job was saying no to the many good, parallel paths he encountered.

Enric Sala: Glimpses of a pristine ocean
http://youtu.be/6ul2TSvUDog

My thought: Enric Sala might be able to quit a stable job because he might have no responsibility to a family whereas an income is necessary to feed them, I think Greg McKeown took the wrong person for an example to speak about reduction, and it demeans Enric Sala's work!

~ Delphine
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- - IS-11
  - http://ire-11.blog.co.uk/
  - 2012-08-19 @ 02:32:36
  Stop hugging old trees and stop being such an environmentalist sucker, it's so dejavu and boring!!
  
  ----------------------------IS11
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- - Statschew
  - http://statschew.blog.ca/
  - 2012-08-22 @ 19:57:44
  Delphine - interesting point!
  
  I'm glad you mentioned it and most definitely Enric Sala has a good point as well, if we all really think about it, the environmental shift and become more green-friendly can generate a lot of new business, building new industry to create efficient solar panels, wind-mills etc...
  
  SC
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- - Anchorman
  - 2012-08-26 @ 13:45:21
  DELPHINE:
  
  "Enric Sala: Glimpses of a pristine ocean"
  
  Great video, thank you for sharing ingenious ideas!!
  
  Ancho
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- - Nelley
  - 2012-08-27 @ 18:42:20
  Thank you Delphine for Enric Sala's video, I finally had the time to check the video out, it's quite inspiring!!
  
  Nelly
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- Bambrette
- 2012-08-16 @ 13:52:33
Among other things in this article linked above, Jim Collins talks about the book, and how to dig deeper into the research; "How the Mighty Fall" here's a link to the author speaking about it and something to consider:
http://youtu.be/ryK8BpX4zSo
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- - Bodellia
  - 2012-08-16 @ 21:16:31
  "Jim Collins talks about the book,"
  
  WOW!!! So cool!! I love Jim Collins so much, I actually owe every scientifically thought he has ever explained, he's touched just about anything that may lift someone morals for improvement! I haven't read that particular book yet, "How the Mighty Fall" but I think I have to, very soon, good observation to bring him up among the tops Harvard's list of greatness!
  
  Bo
  - - Yagisu
    - 2012-08-17 @ 02:13:37
    Jim Collins tops anyone out of list of "the disciplined pursuit of less" he is all bout QUICK thinking on time at the right moment, it's a lifetime DISCIPLINE to adopt as a life style!!
    
    Yagi
    - - Bambrette
      - 2012-08-21 @ 18:12:26
      Jim Collins is so down to earth cool, I'm glad you like him, there are a lot of his seminar made into videos on youtube!!
      
      Enjoy!
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- - Nelley
  - 2012-08-27 @ 18:46:17
  Bambrette...
  
  Jim Collins is outstanding I like his elegant approach, it's not easy to do in business!!
  
  Nelly
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- Bodellia
- 2012-08-16 @ 21:07:06
Com'On Nelly don't do the "blaming game" on business's downfall, don't you know when a product wears out because it might not be in demand any more, it's time for innovation?

It's time to get a new product and launch it before the old product is not wanted any more, you are in the art business, you must know that when people had enough of the same old design or artefact they want a NEW ONE, a new style for a new trend! I know about it too, I'm into Music & Production we can't always listen to the same old tune no matter how good it is, it's the same in any market!!

Bo
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- - Daridan
  - 2012-08-16 @ 22:30:52
  Not everyone is Kevin O'Leary and Arlene Dickinson on the Dragon's Den, people run out of ideas for a while, all we need is safe money for rainy days in advance, spend less and relax a bit!!
  
  Just in case someone wants to know who are the DRAGON'S here they are!! Amazing group!!
  
  www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/dragons.html
  
  Dari
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- - Nelley
  - 2012-08-22 @ 22:43:50
  ABSOLUTELY BO!!
  
  But that's not exactly it for me, people in my life hold me back for their own convenient service, and others for their delusional jealousy. I left a note above to KATE about it.
  - - Bodellia
    - 2012-08-28 @ 01:58:21
    Nice motivational speech!
    
    I hear-YA!!
    
    Bo
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- Yagisu
- 2012-08-17 @ 02:00:00
"A number of people in business when they reach to the zenith or summit of their personal goals they might feel guilty to have succeeded to become triumphant, due to the demographical ambiance that leads to envy around them among the failures..."

Are you giving yourself a legitimate excuse for failing, because you might be tired of pushing yourself to the end of your strength and limits? Are you blaming someone for holding you back? This is how it sounds to me!!

Yagi
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- - Nelley
  - 2012-08-27 @ 19:04:45
  YAGI said:
  
  "Are you giving yourself a legitimate excuse for failing,"
  
  RE: Not really, no excuse, I'm just trying to analyse why things might be seen as "down-time" for me and if it's worth to struggle to go forth when people around me seem to drag me down as they have done so many times in my life, since I have been working on from age 12, and I'm not talking about occasionally baby sitting, I was on a payroll-clock from 9am to 5pm as an attendant in the fashion boutique on off-school-time! It was fun, I got new fashionable dresses every week to parade with in the store.
  
  Nelly
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- Sr-Thomas
- 2012-08-19 @ 00:19:28
It's very interesting reading here and watch the videos, I think business fail only when you let it happen with bad management, so my tip is cut down on the fat and thrive-on for renewed modules!
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- - Nelley
  - 2012-08-27 @ 19:06:06
  Thank you Thomas, it's just so cool of to encourage me.
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- IS-11
- http://ire-11.blog.co.uk/
- 2012-08-19 @ 01:55:03
What business known woman died and made you chief of staff here?

These comments appear like your engaged into a group of losers trying to motivate you so that they won't lose their paycheck! Keep it up, it's amusing!!!

------------------------IS11
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- - HELLena
  - 2012-08-19 @ 05:20:54
  Say what? "business known woman" -- hickz, easy on the Rhum...
  
  Hell
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- Canuckers
- 2012-08-21 @ 00:29:27
Anything could become a successful business, if you get enough time and dedication into it, whatever it is, definitely make it something you certainly love to do!!
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- - Nelley
  - 2012-08-22 @ 22:50:00
  Canuckers,
  
  So true and thank you, this is an absolute great advice...
  
  Nelly
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- FaTexan-Bell
- 2012-08-21 @ 02:56:22
"Is success a catalyst for failure?"

You said it all in one line, because in fact sometimes failure (or ups and down,) it's called the roller-coaster effect, whatever goes up comes down again, in every business the barometer flexes up and down all by itself due to pressure, and this is why clutter and useless stuff on the desk (so-to-speak) has to be cleared out, it's like when you go trekking for a hike it's easier when your backpack is lighter in order that you can go up again more easily and the effect is self-reliable due to gravity bouncing up and down like a tennis ball, throw it down with force and it bounces up again!!

Good luck on whatever project you got for your next goal...

CreeKree
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- - Nelley
  - 2012-08-22 @ 22:48:10
  CREEKREE,
  
  Absolutely, I think we're on the same page, and I perfectly understand the ups-and-downs, I try to get enough energetical thoughts to get me going forever, till I drop of old age!
  
  Nelly
  - - FaTexan-Bell
    - 2012-09-03 @ 22:23:58
    Well said working is a life booster, both my parents are doing the same, and it's always an inspiration to talk politics with you and this entire group here!!
    
    CreeKree
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- YUbin
- 2012-08-21 @ 12:31:31
A successful business is like anything else in life, go by your own gut feeling and instinct, respecting laws and other people's well-being!!
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- - Nelley
  - 2012-08-22 @ 22:51:54
  YUBIN,
  
  Great facts of life, I absolutely thank you for your nice contribution here and on facebook, all the time!
  
  Nelly
  - - McZarina
    - 2012-08-24 @ 04:44:39
    Nelly... I have been reading here for the past week, and I'm not getting bored, you sound so cool, I hope you spend your precious time to whatever you like to do best and loving it!! I'm also self-employed and recently I've hire 3 more people to help me out so that my company increases the need of my clients and productivity to expand to more regions! So far it's only located Paris and Moscow! Bravo!!
    
    Marina
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- Cheryne
- 2012-08-24 @ 19:30:32
Most definitely I must say that all of these outstanding advices and comments are extremely invigorating, the exchange gives everyone a vast path to explore more, I've learned so much!! Thank you!!

Chery
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- T-Empresario
- 2012-08-25 @ 05:25:54
Same for me as a reader, I'm never bored reading everyone here, congratulation you are hired!!

Tony!!
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- Anchorman
- 2012-08-26 @ 13:20:09
Because there's no business like the other, (no one-size-fits-all) and principle how to hire talented people!!

MORE TIPS NOT TO FAIL!!

The Business Plan

Uploaded by stanfordbusiness on Jul 28, 2009
http://youtu.be/yG6_6UbprFw

Jim Ellis talks about the elements of a successful business plan as well as common mistakes related to its development and use. Recorded: January 31, 2007

Ancho
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- - Nelley
  - 2012-08-27 @ 18:44:19
  Thank you Ancho, now this gives great sense of security!!
  
  The more we learn about all the tricks gets everyone forward, I love the contribution!!
  
  Nelly
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- Nelley
- 2012-08-27 @ 23:40:20
Thank you everyone for taking an interesting view on this topic, I really appreciate all the comments, please feel free to visit Greg McKeown's blog as well his blog at the link at the top for his random editorial and reports!!

Nelly
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- BeeBea9
- 2012-08-28 @ 21:36:13
Business grow in time with dedication!

Several decades ago, when my brother and I weren't even born yet, my dad moved from Europe to Ontario to start his business he had to borrow $20,000 and that was a huge amount during the 60s, to start a business with sports-import items from Europe, at his first 5 years my mom had to work at the shop too, later when we (my brother and I) came to this world my mom still worked at my dad's shop while I was at school, we lived extremely frugally we wore the same summer shoes till they had holes in them... we could not afford new ones, we never went on Vacation or Holidays... only after 15 years we could, my dad is past his retirement and doing extremely well now, but he is still working - my brother and I could easily be running the store, we have been working with him forever, my tip is become inventive and do the same...

At the same time my uncle (a Philosophy teach) moved from Europe to Quebec, he bought cheap land on a mountain, he created skislope all by himself borrowing a tractor, he drove the tractor and shaped the skislope himself... when he made some dough, he bought more land during the 70s, now it's a MEGA resort worth billions.

His business hires thousand of people, he pays taxes, medicare and all the needs, so does my dad!!

The KEY WORD is dedication and hard work, that's life!!

Bea9
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- - i-Dorru
  - 2012-08-31 @ 02:08:05
  WOW!! YEAH!! BRAVO to your dad and especially for the Philosophy teacher, such an extreme turn, talk about change, that's the one!!
  
  Dedorru
  - - McZarina
    - 2012-09-02 @ 08:56:05
    Perfect move, if you go elsewhere and you create something that helps or entertain a community!
    
    Marina
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- Boitchy
- 2012-09-01 @ 22:06:13
Just as someone said here, working from home is endless...

CHECK THIS OUT!!

Why Remote Workers Are More (Yes, More) Engaged

by Scott Edinger | 8:00 AM August 24, 2012

Who is more engaged and more committed to their work and rates their leaders the highest?

A. People who work in the office
B. People who work remotely

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/08/are_you_taking_your_people_for.html
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