Trap #5 Whatever we are afraid of has the ability to back us into a corner—and that corner tends to get smaller the longer we live there. For many of us, the older we get, the fewer risks we’re willing to take. We don’t want to lose what we’ve worked hard to build, so we protect it. That sounds sensible. But over time, protection can quietly turn into limitation. What begins as caution can slide into complacency, stagnation, and eventually emotional distress—sometimes showing

Trap #6: Feelings of Unworthiness If blaming others is a crowded cell, unworthiness is the one with bunk beds stacked three high. Telling yourself you’re not smart enough, young enough, educated enough, talented enough —or any other version of not enough —is a sure way to trap yourself in a very busy jail. The irony? You’ll find plenty of company there. This is Trap #6 as we continue working our way toward number one. What’s almost funny—if it weren’t so painful—is that many