Fear of Loss
There’s an old saying, “Fear of loss is always more powerful than expectation of gain.” To sum it up, we resist change. We have a fear of the future, and a fear of the unknown.
Virtually all advertising is based on this simple premise. If you don’t buy my product, take advantage of my sale, or act now, you are going to experience some kind of loss in your life.
Fear of Changing Jobs
You might hate your job and explore your options for another one. But what if the new job doesn’t work out — then what will you do?
In many cases staying put guarantees some form of job security, a steady paycheck, and benefits in spite of the work you dislike.
Is it worth the risk to make the change?
Risk vs. Reward
Many people would like to be their own boss. Start new businesses. But the fear of failure often prevents many people from pursuing that dream.
In many cases it prevents them from even taking the first step.
Political Fear In The Election Cycle
Politicians are experts at instilling fear in voters. If you don’t vote for me you will lose your social security, food stamps, school lunch program.
The opposition wants to raise your taxes, starve your children and throw granny off a cliff.
They don’t even attempt to disguise this tactic. They know that fear of loss will get you to the polls faster than any expectation of gain.
No one will campaign on cutting Social Security benefits but they will campaign on cutting taxes or reducing government spending.
Is that just a more sugarcoated way of saying I plan on cutting your Social Security benefits without really saying it?
Providing tax cuts for the poor just won’t work like reducing tax cuts for the rich even though there are many more poor than rich.
Some Final Thoughts
One of the reasons the gap between rich and poor is growing is more people are taking a risk and pursuing their dreams because the alternative is no longer worth the effort.
Fear is a powerful motivator. But we all live with it in some form every day. Some fears are minor others more serious, but fear is usually sitting on our shoulders.
The older I get the less fearful I am. I have probably experienced that same fear before and I remember how I handled it.
When we get out of bed in the morning good things will happen and bad things will happen.
Fear will probably determine how you handle most challenges you face each day.
Some fears will force you to act, some will force you to think and still others will force you to analyze.
Franklin Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is — fear itself.”
Loss or gain? What have you got to lose?
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