Hi, I am a 26yr. male who just recently lost a great job opportunity working for Pepsi Cola. I have a problem in that every time I obtain success in my life, I sabotage myself into failing. Now, I read motivational books listen to motivational cd's. Yet, every time I set a goal and follow through to obtain my goal I sabotage my own success. I want now to pursue a career in either radio broadcast or photography/sports writing. I am 26yrs. old and I now have a house and many bills to pay each month. I have very little money and no job. Yet, I am determined to achieve my dream in life. I have always been considered a failure ever since high school and even to this day as well. Yet, I am not going to let others drag me down. I use it only to motivate me even more to obtain my dreams. So, what kind of advice can you give me so that I can attain my dream? Do I just pursue it at all costs and give up my house and my car? Is there another way I can go about seeking my future means of a career? I am lost right now so please send me some advice.

Failure is only a stepping-stone to success as long as you learn from it.

From your letter I feel the best way to seek your future would be through professional counseling.

Your lack of self-esteem and listening to others that call you a failure are causing you to sabotage yourself. No matter how hard you try to make things work, in the back of your mind you feel that you are expected to fail, so you do.

A therapist will help you understand why you feel like you can't succeed no matter how hard you try, and help you feel better about yourself.

All the motivational tapes and seminars in the world will be a temporary fix until you can permanently put that "failure" complex behind you and learn to feel good about yourself and your accomplishments.