We are not born with COURAGE, but neither are we born with FEAR.

Some of our fears are induced by our own experiences, by what someone has told us, by what we have read in the papers or online.

Some fears are semi-valid, like walking alone in a bad part of town at two o'clock in the morning. But once we learn to avoid that situation or reevaluate how we see the situation (who said it was a bad part or town? Is the opinion based on race or socioeconomic fallacies?) we will not need to fear the situation

However, fears, even the most basic ones, can destroy our ambitions. Fear can destroy fortunes. Fear can destroy relationships. Fear, if left unchecked, can destroy our lives.

Unfortunately, fear is one of the many enemies lurking inside us.

Allow me to share five of the other enemies we face from within.

The first enemy that we must destroy before it destroys us is INDIFFERENCE. What a tragic malady this is! Some will say, "Ho-hum, let it slide. I'll just drift along." But here is one problem with drifting: we cannot drift our way to being the best version of ourselves.

The second enemy we face is INDECISION. Indecision is the thief of opportunity and enterprise. It will steal our chances for a better future. Decide to eviscerate this internal enemy!

The third enemy is DOUBT. Not to say, there is no room for healthy skepticism.

We cannot believe or disbelieve everything. But we also cannot let doubt take over. Many people doubt the past, doubt the future, doubt each other, doubt the government, doubt the possibilities, and doubt the opportunities. Worst of all, they doubt themselves! Believe me, doubt will destroy your life and your chances of success. It will empty both your bank account and your heart.

Doubt is an enemy. Go after it. Trespass it. Doubt has no place in your life.

The fourth enemy within is WORRY. A normal amount of worry is acceptable. One cannot live like Alfred E Newman.

Do not let it conquer you. Instead, let it warn you. Worry can be useful. If you wake up and hear someone making breakfast in your kitchen and you live alone, you should be concerned. However, you cannot let worry loose like a mad dog until it drives you into a small corner.

I suggest you drive your worries into a small corner. Whatever is out to get you, you must get it first. Whatever is pushing on you, you must push back. Act! As the vast majority of worries never come to fruition, I have found it best to bully them – “Well that is silly, why worry about that!” “I can deal with anything, so if something bad happens I will deal with it then, not worry about it now!”

The fifth interior enemy is OVER-CAUTION. Over-caution is a timid approach to life.

Timidity is not a virtue; in fact, it can be an illness. If you allow yourself to be over-cautious, it will conquer you. Timid people do not get promoted. They do not advance, grow, and become powerful in their own lives. It is best to examine if your caution is based on facts or opinion. “I am too old to…” “my cousin tried that and failed” “I am great where I am, doing what I am doing” “I could never do that and succeed!”

Do battle with your internal enemies. Do battle with your fears. Build your courage to fight what is holding you back, what is keeping you from your goals, dreams and who you should be. Be courageous in your life and in your pursuit of the things you want and the person you were destined to become. I know you are destined for GREATNESS; you just need to accept the mantle.