#2 Fear: Criticism (Napoleon Hill, 1937)

I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain. It's laughter and it's loving I disdain. -- Simon & Garfunkel, I Am A Rock

Some readers of The Six Basic Fears From 70 Years Ago wanted to know more about the fear of criticism. While we don't like being criticism, it doesn't seem that bad.

Napoleon Hill found that criticism steals initiative, destroys our power of imagination, limits our individuality and takes away our self-reliance. Yikes! Let's explore more.

Symptons
Here are the main symptoms

Self-consciousness

• nervousness
• timidity in conversation and meeting strangers
• awkward hand and limb movements

Lack of Poise

• lack of voice control
• nervousness in the presence of others
• poor body posture
• poor memory

Personality

• indecisiveness; side-stepping issues
• lacking personal charm
• unable to express opinions definitely
• agreeing with others without first examining their opinions

Extravagance

• spending beyond income to keep up with others

Inferiority Complex

• expressing self-approval by words or actions to hide a feeling of inferiority
• using big words to impress others
• imitating others in dress, speech and manners

Lack of Initiative

• failing to embrace opportunities for advancement
• reluctant to express opinions
• lacking confidence in own ideas
• giving evasive answers to superiors
• hesitation in manner and speech
• deceit in words and deeds

Lack of Ambition

• mental and physical laziness
• lack of self-assertion
• slowness in reaching decisions
• easily influenced by others
• giving up
• criticizing the absent and praising the present
• lacking tact in manner and speech
• unwilling to accept blame for mistakes

Links

• The Six Basic Fears From 70 Years Ago