The Invisible Walls: Why People Struggle to Succeed and How to Break the Cycle
“All the energy in the universe is evenly present in all places at the same time. We don’t get energy, we release energy. And the triggering mechanism to release energy is desire. When you have a strong desire to do something, you will always have the energy to do it.” —Bob Proctor
Success is a universal human desire, yet it remains an elusive summit for the vast majority. We are told from a young age that hard work is the primary currency of achievement, yet millions of people work exhausting hours only to find themselves running in place. Why do people struggle to succeed? The answer is rarely a lack of effort. Instead, it is a complex web of prevalent barriers to success, ranging from societal conditioning and the influence of peer groups to a fundamental lack of internal character and strategic architecture. By understanding these barriers and learning from the characteristics of successful people, we can move from "The Drift" into a life of intentional achievement.
The Prevalent Barriers People Face
The struggle to succeed often begins with a failure to identify the invisible walls standing in our way. One of the most significant barriers is the "Fear of the Unknown." Humans are biologically wired for safety, not for greatness. Choosing the path of success requires stepping out of the comfort zone, which triggers a primal anxiety. Furthermore, many individuals suffer from "Complexity Paralysis." They believe that the path to their dreams must be intricate and multifaceted, leading them to overthink every move until they are frozen in place.
Another pervasive barrier is the lack of "Delayed Gratification." In a world dominated by instant digital dopamine hits, the long-term discipline required for the Success Triad is often abandoned in favor of short-term comfort. This creates a cycle where people start projects with high enthusiasm but abandon them the moment the "slog" of execution begins.
The Weight of Societal and Interpersonal Influence
Society and the people closest to us play a profound role in shaping our perceptions about success. Often, this influence is subtly—or even overtly—negative. Many cultures promote a "Crabs in a Bucket" mentality, where any individual attempting to climb higher and achieve more is pulled back down by their peer group. This isn't always malicious; it is often born of the peer group's own insecurities. When you succeed, you hold up a mirror to their own lack of progress.
Interpersonal influence can also manifest as "Perceived Social Norms." If everyone in your circle believes that wealth is a result of luck or that high-level achievement is "not for people like us," those beliefs become an internal ceiling. Breaking these barriers requires a conscious effort to audit your social circle and seek out mentors who reflect the reality you wish to create.
Personal Values and the Moral Compass
A common reason why people struggle to succeed is the absence of a defined set of personal values and principles. Success is not just about what you do; it is about who you are. Without a strong internal compass, an individual is easily swayed by trends, opinions, and temporary setbacks.
Integrity, resilience, and self-discipline are not just "nice to have" traits; they are the bedrock of the Success Triad. When a person lacks a clear value system, their "Execution" leg becomes inconsistent. They may work hard when they feel like it, but they lack the character to follow through when the mood has left them. Character is the bridge between the "Plan" and the "Result."
The Architect’s Dilemma: Lack of Plan and Execution
Perhaps the largest barrier faced is the void between a wish and a reality. A dream is a destination, but a plan is the vehicle. Most people struggle because they possess the "Vision" but lack the strategic architecture to reach it. Even those who manage to create a plan often fail at the "Character to Execute."
Execution is the most difficult leg of the Triad because it requires daily, repetitive action. It is the grit to wake up at 5:00 AM when it's raining. It is the discipline to say no to a night out because you are building your future. Without the character to follow through, the most brilliant plan in the world is just ink on paper. This lack of follow-through is the primary reason why high-potential individuals find themselves plateauing while others, often with less "natural talent," surpass them through sheer consistency.
Contrasting the Struggle: Icons of Success
To understand how to overcome these barriers, we must look at the lives of those who mastered the Triad. Consider Abraham Lincoln. His life was a series of profound failures—failed businesses, lost elections, and personal tragedy. What separated Lincoln from those who struggle was his unwavering character and adherence to principles. He had a Vision for a unified nation and the Execution to see it through the bloodiest conflict in American history. He did not allow societal pressure or personal setbacks to derail his Plan.
In the modern era, Steve Jobs serves as a masterclass in the Success Triad. Jobs was famously ousted from the very company he founded. Many would have accepted that as a final defeat. However, Jobs’s Vision was too strong. He spent his years away building NeXT and Pixar, refining his Planning and Execution, before returning to Apple to lead one of the greatest corporate turnarounds in history. His success was not a result of luck; it was a result of an uncompromising commitment to his personal values of design and excellence.
Similarly, Serena Williams didn't become a champion through occasional effort. Her success was built on the "Execution" leg—years of grueling practice and a character that refused to accept anything less than greatness, despite the societal barriers she faced as a young Black woman in a predominantly white sport.
A Call to Action: Emulate the Greats
Success is not a secret code; it is a set of habits and frameworks. The most effective way to accelerate your progress is to stop trying to reinvent the wheel and instead start learning from the lives and experiences of successful people.
Your task is to become a student of excellence. Read the biographies of the masters. Study their daily routines. Emulate their resilience. The barriers you face are not unique to you—they have been faced and conquered by thousands before you. By adopting the Success Triad and developing the character to execute your plan, you can break the cycle of "The Drift" and finally achieve the dreams you’ve been chasing.
