Yesterday I read a passage in Napoleon Hill's book, Think and Grow Rich, which I was going to write about in my post. Unfortunately, I procrastinated (reason 8 below). I said that I would do it later, after I got to the office. Well, the day got behind me and I didn't do my post. So, today's post will be about Napoleon Hill's 30 major reasons for failure.

During this process of developing my success habits and reading Hill's book, I realize that he is correct in his analysis of the causes of failure. I have found it helpful to look at the list openly and honestly. I ask you to look at each of these causes and measure yourself by it. It will be an eye opener and give you a great place to start working.

The 30 major causes of failure are:

  1. Unfavorable hereditary background.
  2. Lack of a well-defined purpose in life.
  3. Lack of ambition to aim above mediocrity.
  4. Insufficient education.
  5. Lack of self-discipline.
  6. Ill health.
  7. Unfavorable environmental influences during childhood.
  8. Procrastination.
  9. Lack of persistence.
  10. Negative personality.
  11. Lack of controlled sexual urge.
  12. Uncontrolled desire for “something for nothing.”
  13. Lack of a well defined power of decision.
  14. One or more of the 6 basic fears.
  15. Wrong selection of a mate in marriage.
  16. Over-caution.
  17. Wrong selection of associates in business.
  18. Superstition and prejudice.
  19. Wrong selection of a vocation.
  20. Lack of concentration of effort.
  21. The habit of indiscriminate spending.
  22. Lack of enthusiasm.
  23. Intolerance.
  24. Intemperance.
  25. Inability to cooperate with others.
  26. Possession of power that was not acquired through self effort.
  27. Intentional dishonesty.
  28. Egotism and vanity.
  29. Guessing instead of thinking.
  30. Lack of capital.

Napoleon Hill
Think and Grow Rich
Pages 178-185

If you would like a more detailed explanation of these causes, be sure to read Hill's book. He references the 30 causes in the chapter on Organized Planning. Realize that the purpose of this list is to help you gain knowledge and insight so that you can overcome or bridge the gap and be the most successful possible. According to Hill, 98% of people are classed as “failures.”

It is a choice.

What is yours?