Chapter One

What Keeps You From Living Your Dreams?

Newspaper columnist Ann Landers was once asked, “Out of all the thousands of letters you receive each month, what problem is most dominant in people’s lives?”

Her answer was shocking! “It’s fear!” she replied without hesitation. “The one thing that keeps people from the life they dream of is fear. People live every day in their fear. They’re afraid of losing their wealth. They’re afraid of losing their loved ones. They’re afraid of being themselves. They’re afraid of growing up and being responsible. They’re afraid of making the wrong decision. They’re afraid of making a commitment. They’re afraid of life itself!”

Wow! When I pondered that quote I realized that the greatest fear, that keeps my sales force and myself from succeeding, is not fear of failure, but the fear of success. It’s the fear of really making it! What people are most fearful of is really living! They fear giving life everything they’ve got when they don’t know the ultimate outcome.

The fear of living to the fullest may have paralyzed you, causing you either to never really try in life or, if you do try, to sabotage your efforts so you never have to face your fear of success! Most people live their life in this fear bondage, and they aren’t even aware of its control on them. Fear is the one thing that can turn your dreams of financial freedom, loving relationships, a fulfilling and significant life into a pattern of procrastination,