We are not born with courage, but neither are we born with fear. Maybe some of our fears are
brought on by your own experiences, by what someone has told you, by what you’ve read in the
papers. Some fears are valid, like walking alone in a bad part of town at two o’clock in the
morning. But once you learn to avoid that situation, you won’t need to live in fear of it.
Fears, even the most basic ones, can totally destroy our ambitions. Fear can destroy fortunes.
Fear can destroy relationships. Fear, if left unchecked, can destroy our lives. Fear is one of
the many enemies lurking inside us.
Let me tell you about five of the other enemies we face from within. The first enemy that
you’ve got to destroy before it destroys you is indifference. What a tragic disease this is!
“Ho-hum, let it slide. I’ll just drift along.” Here’s one problem with drifting: you can’t
drift your way to the to of the mountain.
The second enemy we face is indecision. Indecision is the thief of opportunity and enterprise.
It will steal your chances for a better future. Take a sword to this enemy.
The third enemy inside is doubt. Sure, there’s room for healthy skepticism. You can’t believe
everything. But you also can’t let doubt take over. Many people doubt the past, doubt the
future, doubt each other, doubt the government, doubt the possibilities nad doubt the
opportunities. Worse of all, they doubt themselves. I’m telling you, doubt will destroy your
life and your chances of success. It will empty both your bank account and your heart. Doubt
is an enemy. Go after it. Get rid of it.
The fourth enemy within is worry. We’ve all got to worry some. Just don’t let conquer you.
Instead, let it alarm you. Worry can be useful. If you step off the curb in New York City and
a taxi is coming, you’ve got to worry. But you can’t let worry loose like a mad dog that
drives you into a small corner. Here’s what you’ve got to do with your worries: drive them
into a small corner. Whatever is out to get you, you’ve got to get it. Whatever is pushing
on you, you’ve got to push back.
The fifth interior enemy is overcaution. It is the timid approach to life. Timidity is not a
virtue; it’s an illness. If you let it go, it’ll conquer you. Timid people don’t get promoted.
They don’t advance and grow and become powerful in the marketplace. You’ve got to avoid
overcaution.
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.