Success is a fundamental necessity of life. Yet why is achievement so elusive? Many focus on external circumstances. They blame fate or other people. However, failure does not lie outside.
Failure dwells in the lack of inner sincerity. Recognising this requires great courage. It is the first step towards a fulfilled life. This article, inspired by the book Introduction to Gnosis by Master Samael Aun Weor, highlights the errors that sabotage your progress.
The Great Obstacles to Success
True achievement demands a radical inner change. Success in life begins with total sincerity. Acknowledge your mistakes if you genuinely wish to triumph. When you recognise an error, you can correct it easily. Whoever rectifies their faults always succeeds. Failure has its root in the lack of sincerity with ourselves.
The path to success is full of barriers. The greatest barrier is always within. These are the obstacles you must overcome.
Obstacle 1: The Fear of Self-Correction
This obstacle is pride and personal vanity. We are accustomed to overlooking our own faults. For example, a father blames the school for his child’s poor performance. A salesperson blames the product for their lack of sales. The businessman blames others for his failure. They never recognise their own errors in the process. The first great error is the lack of sincerity and the refusal to accept responsibility for our decisions.
Obstacle 2: Refusing to Admit We Have Defects
The formula for failure is refusing to accept that we have egos. These psychological defects are the cause of our mistakes. Great criminals always believe themselves to be saints. They refuse to accept that their egos lead them to commit crimes. No thief in prison believes he is guilty. Almost all justify their actions. This refusal to acknowledge their defects prevents any improvement. Do not fall into this damaging error. Have the courage to recognise your psychological defects.
Obstacle 3: Useless and Sterile Criticism
The third obstacle is harmful criticism. Criticism is a psychological trait of the personality. Only the weak attack what is external. Criticising poor service in a restaurant will not improve it. Criticising your manager’s decisions will not give you strength. Criticism always wounds another person’s pride. This provokes immediate resistance. The criticised individual seeks to justify themselves. Criticism turns against its own author. It creates enemies without any clear cause.
If you wish to understand how relationships affect success in life, read:
The Three Relationships That Shape Our Life (II)
Obstacle 4: Nervous Imbalance
The fourth major obstacle is the lack of moderation. Excessive work destroys any long-term success. This insistence on disproportionate effort generates deep physical fatigue. The body sends a signal to rest. If you ignore this signal and continue forcing activity, fatigue dangerously turns into nervous excitation. This excitation becomes persistent if you continue. A state of tension then settles in, seriously harming the nervous system.
This chronic nervous tension manifests in one’s character. A person becomes neurasthenic, marked by irritability and constant criticism. These symptoms reflect profound internal exhaustion. The psychological causes that feed this state are anger and impatience. The mind wants to control outcomes by force. This is unsustainable and radiates discomfort into one’s surroundings.
To improve, you must apply the intelligence of the pause. Recognise that fatigue is a necessary limit. Rest is essential. Accept your limits to avoid irritability and constant judgement. Moderation is not a restraint; it is the foundation that sustains success without self-destruction.
The Cost of False Success
Denial carries serious consequences. These obstacles lead inevitably to failure. Therefore, you must understand the high price involved. Success always demands a price, though it is not merely economic.
Consequence 1: Social Isolation Through Criticism
Criticism is a serious social error. Indeed, one who criticises reveals weakness. Criticism wounds another person’s pride. It also provokes immediate resistance. The criticised individual seeks to justify themselves. Consequently, criticism creates enemies. This sabotages your environment of progress. Likewise, success cannot flourish while you criticise.
Consequence 2: Professional Destruction of the Neurasthenic
Excessive work produces neurasthenia. This carries severe professional costs. If you are the employer, you criticise everything. You become unbearable for your team. You act as a tormentor of your workers. They end up hating their job. Consequently, the company may fail. They will not work efficiently for you.
Consequence 3: Loss of Employment and Health
If you are the employee, it affects you as well. You become rebellious in the office. You criticise your employer. However, every employer has pride. He feels offended by your criticism. As a result, the critical worker loses his job. This is the loss of professional success. Finally, anger provokes gastric ulcers. Neurasthenia harms the nervous system. You must avoid this danger for your own well-being.
True achievement is attained by correcting yourself within. Your success begins by correcting yourself. This is better and less dangerous than criticising others. You must create an atmosphere of personal progress.
Three Fundamental Pillars for Success
1. Radical Sincerity
The first key is honest self-criticism. You must have the courage to recognise your own mistakes. This will always save you from greater harm. Whoever self-criticises from moment to moment becomes a colossus. In this way, you can build a happy home. The politician or scientist can correct their errors. Triumph becomes inevitable. For this reason:
If you wish to understand how to recognise your errors, read:
Self-Observation: The Path to Inner Peace and Mental Wellness
2. Constant Moderation
The second key is moderation. You must care for your valuable nervous system. It mediates between spirit and body. Work intensely, but with moderation. Excessive work produces total fatigue. Fatigue turns into morbid excitation. Remember that this causes neurasthenia.
To learn how to find balance in your life, read:
Connect with Nature: Discover the Incredible Benefits of Outdoor Meditation
3. Active Inner Peace
The third key is peace. You must alternate work with rest. Pleasant recreation prevents neurasthenia. Therefore, do not criticise anyone at all. Strive to see the best in others. In doing so, you avoid provoking resistance. This builds an atmosphere of continuous success.
A Tool for Controlling Anger
You can master anger and nervousness. Do you feel irritated or full of rage? Control anger with vital breathing. Practise this simple exercise:
Inhale: Breathe in slowly through the nose. Count mentally: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Hold: Hold the breath. Count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Exhale: Release slowly through the mouth. Count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Repeat until the anger has fully subsided. Remember that calm and control are essential.
Success awaits you if you apply these steps. Begin correcting yourself today. Do not allow obstacles to stop you. Do you want more tools for transformation? Subscribe to our blog now. You will receive direct guidance for your improvement. Share this article with your contacts. Help them attain true success.
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