I am a sucker for good quotes, as they oftentimes paint a new picture of an old philosophy – very simple and logical.

My friend, mentor and VP of Leadership Development of the #1 Online Marketing Community in the World, John Jackson once said, “It’s not the responsibility of a sponsor to struggle for their new student, client or member – it’s only their responsibility to assure them that their struggle is worthwhile.”

This my friend, is very true, however, by knowing some of the common pitfalls you are bound to experience on your way to success, perhaps you will recognize them when they creep up on you in the midst of your quest for greatness.

First, let me share a story by Portia Nelson that illustrates what you might expect during the process:

- BEGIN

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE CHAPTERS

1) I walk down the street.
 There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. 
I fall in. 
I am lost…
I am hopeless. 
It isn’t my fault. 
It takes forever to find a way out.

2) I walk down the same street. 
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
 I pretend I don’t see it. 
I fall in again. 
I can’t believe I’m in the same place.
 But it isn’t my fault.
 It still takes a long time to get out.

3) I walk down the same street. 
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. 
I see it is there. 
I still fall in…it’s a habit
. My eyes are open; I know where I am; 
It is my fault. 
I get out immediately.

4) I walk down the same street.
 There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
 I walk around it.

5) I walk down another street.

- END

This phenom, my friend, is not only critical to experience for yourself, but also inevitable.

We must all learn that part of being successful, is about accepting “unsuccessful”, at first.

New York Times Best Selling Author of Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, T. Harv Eker says that “every master, was once a disaster”!

So what should you look for and embrace when it comes your way?

Here are some basic common pitfalls to embrace on your quest for greatness:

#1 – Confusion – This is also known as, “not sure what to do next in order to move forward”. This happens to the best of us. The best way I’ve found to get out is to figure it out. This way, if I ever get into the same place again, I know what to do, but more importantly, what not to do. By exhausting your resources without being dependent on your sponsor to answer every question for you, you will become self reliant and confident that you can be powerful when you fall into this pitfall in the future.

#2 – Frustration – This is also known as, “elevated confusion leading to anxiety”. Oftentimes frustration precedes blaming others, so don’t dig yourself even deeper. The best way to manage frustration is to walk away or take some time off so that you can slip back into confusion and then, figure it out when you’re in a better place.

#3 – Temptation – This is also known as, “thinking about…quitting, jumping ship, stopping short, abandoning or giving up”. Just know that we all are tempted to do one or all of these things at some or several points along the way. Many times, temptation is a result of our own Confusion or Frustration. We may even tend to blame other factors outside ourselves for our own feelings or emotions. Just know that while you may be tempted to take one of the above actions that as long as you are in business, you will drop into this pitfall from time to time.

A Word About Problems

When it comes to being in business, there are only two types of problems.

#1 – Logistics – This is typically technology or system related challenges. Every company and entrepreneur encounters these. The best way to avoid them is not to be in business.

#2 – Human Error – Definitely the most important to observe, but the most often overlooked. Every company, organization and business in existence must learn to weather the storm of human error. It can come from inside or outside. Typically, it’s about making wrong decisions, mis-treating people, a lack of integrity or mis-directed values.

When a business owner learns to overcome the adversity stemming from logistics, this is a huge step in the right direction.

When a business owner learns to overcome adversity stemming from human error, this can be dangerous territory. If you or someone you work with constantly makes poor decisions, mis-treats people, lacks integrity or displays mis-directed values, it’s not always about overcoming this adversity that will make you successful. It’s about making your own decisions in regards to whether this is the type of person you want and deserve in your business life and whether keeping them in your life, is serving or dis-serving to you.

Both types of problems are omni-present in the business world, so choose carefully who and what company you are in alignment with.

So, to wrap up, what’s most important is that you are well aware of the possible pitfalls you may encounter along your journey towards success.

They come in many different forms and for many different reasons.

The best way to manage these situations is to learn to manage your own emotions.

You can’t change the challenges you will encounter along the way – only how you feel about them.

Don’t be afraid of them when they come up – matter of fact, embrace them – dive right in.

Because without challenges, there would be no growth.

And without growth, there would be no success.

You see, there is no shallow end when it comes to success – it’s sink or swim.

But once you learn to stay afloat, you will be able to handle any pitfall that comes your way.

And this, will make all the difference.