Sterling Terrell

smart ideas from books (mostly)

  • Home
  • About
    • My CV
    • Books
    • Series
  • Newsletter
  • Advertising
  • Tools
You are here: Home / Potpourri / Past Successes Can Hurt You?

Past Successes Can Hurt You?

Past Successes Can Hurt You?

Can past successes really put you in danger of missing future successes?

This seems counterintuitive but is easier with an example.

Take someone who was always the smartest person in the class.

They graduate at the top of their med school peers.

Immediately their specialist medical practice is successful.

They easily net $700K per year.

How tempting can it be for someone like that to think they know how to do other things well, say make good investments?

And I think there is a difference here worth pointing out.

Past success in X is probably a hindrance for future success in Y.

But past success in X might make future success in X more likely.

What if instead of investments they know nothing about, our fictitious doctor started a research company within his own medical specialty?

Never take it for granted that your past successes will continue into the future. Actually, your past successes are your biggest obstacle: every battle, every war, is different, and you cannot assume that what worked before will work today. You must cut yourself loose from the past and open your eyes to the present. Your tendency to fight the last war may lead to your final war.

-Robert Greene, The 33 Strategies Of War

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: PotpourriTagged With: #Obstacles, #Success

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy

Connect

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Free Weekly Newsletter:

Search

Top Posts

  • The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
    The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
  • Hyatt Hill Country Sunday House
    Hyatt Hill Country Sunday House
  • Finally Making It
    Finally Making It
  • Sentience vs Consciousness
    Sentience vs Consciousness
  • How A Human Life Is Like A Single Letter Of The Alphabet
    How A Human Life Is Like A Single Letter Of The Alphabet
  • Another Great Riddle For You To Try
    Another Great Riddle For You To Try
  • Wonder Park Pi Song (Watch It Stick In Your Head)
    Wonder Park Pi Song (Watch It Stick In Your Head)
  • Economics 101: Rosy Scenario Policy
    Economics 101: Rosy Scenario Policy
  • Random Thoughts - 123
    Random Thoughts - 123
  • Sarick Effect
    Sarick Effect

Supporting = Loving

Recent Posts

  • Finally Making It
  • Thankful You Are Here To Chat
  • 2022 Kentucky Derby
  • Random Thoughts – 338
  • Cafe Energy
  • Instabooks 362
  • Overwhelming and Stressful
  • Oblique Humor Is Better Than Anonymity
  • Random Thoughts – 337
  • With You Watching Tinker Bell
  • This Celebrity Grew Up With John McEuen
  • The Magic Of Comedic Confidence
  • Random Thoughts – 336
  • Not Offering Punchlines
  • A Needle In A Haystack, Not A Haystack
  • Living Closer To All Of
  • Instabooks 361
  • Random Thoughts – 335
  • My Mad Money Stash
  • Where I Sit 22
  • Of Farming But It’s Mostly
  • Unique Comedy
  • Bathrooms I Despise
  • A Letter To Every Email Unsubscribe
  • Skipping The Needless Drama

Copyright © 2022 · Generate Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in