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Why do people fear success? Some people feel undeserving of success. They are continually subconsciously sabotaging their dreams, hopes, and desires. They have a recurring negative mental image that takes priority in their thinking. It's what I call negative self-talk. They think they're not worthy or deserving of a good life. And they know it's true because they tell themselves that in countless ways. You have to replace the negative self-talk with positive affirmations. That's why I insist the members of my real estate investment group identify themselves as real estate investors. I demand that they say, "Hi, I'm so n' so, I'm a real estate investor." I want that statement to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I want them to understand there is more out there. I want them to capture and enjoy success. I want to lead them from where they are into greater accomplishments. I want them to fulfill their potential. Fear of the Unknown When I was 14 years old, I lived near a bridge that crossed the Russian River. The boys in our town liked to jump from the bridge into the river, and I longed to do the same but the thought terrified me. Even though no one ever got hurt, I was still scared. One day I made up my mind I was going to do it. I remember that first jump as though it were yesterday. I can still feel the fear that swelled up inside me. I can still feel the wind slapping my face while falling midair. I can still feel the cool water as my feet broke the surface and I plummeted into the depths of the water, my knees buckling when I hit the river bottom. Gasping for air as my head cleared the surface of the water, I had a feeling of success. I had done it. I had proven myself to my peers. In the process, however, I overcame my fear. After my successful jump it was much easier the second time. It got easier with each additional jump, and eventually I had no fear at all. In real estate investing, we overcome fear with information. You get information by reading books, h