University Of Success Ch 4

Symptoms of the Will to Fail

• The text discusses the "Will to Fail" a concept that refers to a subconscious drive to avoid success and fulfillment.
• The text highlights how it's prevalent and masked by the "Will to Live" and "Will to Power".
• The author argues that failing is a natural process leading towards the end of life and a resignation of ambition and desire.
• The "Will to Fail" can manifest in various forms, and the author provides examples of how to recognize them.

Common Symptoms

• Excessive Sleep: People sleeping beyond their required hours for body restoration. It's often linked to a compulsion for rest.
• Introverted Inactivity: Time-consuming activities with minimal participation or minimal constructive value, such as excessive Solitaire, reading, or puzzle-solving.
• Alcohol Abuse: Drinking to the point of incapacitation or to numb the mental faculties, showcasing a desire to escape or self-sabotage.
• Overindulgence in Recreation: Excessive participation to the point of objection to activity, suggesting a preference for pleasure over effort and productivity.
• Aimless Conversation: Repetition of stories and topics, with a focus on maintaining a conversation rather than providing meaningful discourse.
• Underutilization of Abilities: Choosing jobs or activities that demand a fraction of one's skills and potential while pushing oneself to the limit on trivial aspects.

Examples of the Will to Fail

• People who are always tired, excessively sleep, and prioritize sleeping over productivity.
• Individuals who consistently engage in non-challenging pastimes like crossword puzzles or endless reading.
• Heavy drinkers, even those who experience negative consequences, indicating a conscious effort to avoid healthy and meaningful options.
• People who prioritize recreation and leisure time over work and achievement, indicating a tendency to lean toward indulgence and avoidance of challenge.
• Individuals who engage in lengthy conversations without any significant contribution, showcasing an absence of depth and a preference for familiar and comfortable topics.
• Professionals who consciously accept jobs or tasks that limit their skill usage while excessively focusing on trivial aspects, demonstrating self-sabotage and a fear of exceeding expectations.

Failure as a Choice

• The text explores various forms of self-deception that lead individuals towards a life of unnoticed failure.
• It highlights individuals who prioritize others' needs over their own, sacrificing their potential for superficial comfort.
• The author criticizes those who undertake tasks beyond their capabilities or engage in activities that offer no genuine personal growth.
• The text criticizes the "Universal Charmers" who rely on charm to mask their lack of responsibility and commitment.
• The author argues that these behaviors are self-deception, filling life with busy work and substitute activities to avoid facing the truth of their potential.
• The text suggests that the root of failure lies in the conscious or unconscious "Will to Fail," a desire to avoid confronting one's true potential and responsibilities.
• Ultimately, the text encourages self-reflection and urges individuals to identify and pursue their authentic purpose in life, avoiding the emptiness of a life filled with trivial pursuits.