This insightful observation comes from Brian Tracy, a leading authority on personal and business success. He said, ''If you envy successful people, you create a negative force field of attraction that repels you from ever doing the things that you need to do to be successful. If you admire successful people, you create a positive force field of attraction that draws you toward becoming more and more like the kinds of people that you want to be like.'' This is a profound truth about how your attitude toward successful people shapes your own destiny.
Envy pushes you away. It makes you resentful. It makes you see successful people as lucky or undeserving. That attitude closes you off to learning from them. Admiration, on the other hand, pulls you toward them. It opens you to their wisdom. It makes you want to learn and emulate. This article explores how your attitude determines your direction.
What This Quote Means Today
In our modern world, it is easy to fall into envy. Social media shows us successful people constantly. We compare their highlight reels to our behind-the-scenes. Envy creeps in. Tracy says that envy is toxic. It creates a force field that repels you from success.
Today, this applies to how you view anyone who has what you want. The wealthy, the famous, the successful in your own field. Your attitude toward them matters. Envy pushes you away. Admiration draws you in. Choose wisely.
This quote also speaks to the power of mindset. Your thoughts are not just thoughts. They create energy. They attract or repel. Envy repels success. Admiration attracts it. Be careful what you think.
Why It Matters Today
This matters today because envy is a trap. It feels justified. You see someone with more and think it is unfair. But that feeling does not help you. It only hurts you. It closes your mind. It blocks your growth.
Admiration, on the other hand, is fuel. When you admire someone, you want to learn from them. You study them. You emulate them. You draw closer to becoming like them. That is productive.
Research in psychology shows that role models are powerful. People who admire and learn from successful others are more likely to achieve success themselves. Envious people stay stuck. The attitude makes all the difference.
About the Author
Brian Tracy is one of the world's leading authorities on personal and business success. He was born in Canada in 1944 and had a difficult start in life. He dropped out of high school and worked at laboring jobs. He could have envied successful people. Instead, he admired them. He studied them. He learned from them.
His admiration drew him toward success. He read their books. He listened to their tapes. He applied their principles. He became successful himself. He still admires and learns from others. It is a lifelong habit.
His famous quotes often reflect this wisdom. He says, ''If you envy successful people, you create a negative force field.'' He knows this from experience.
The Story Behind the Quote
This quote comes from Brian Tracy's understanding of human psychology. He noticed that people who resented successful people rarely became successful themselves. They were too busy being angry to learn. People who admired successful people often followed in their footsteps.
Tracy wanted to share this insight so people could choose the better path. It is a choice. You can envy, or you can admire. One leads nowhere. The other leads to growth.
It's worth noting that Tracy is not saying admire blindly. Admire critically. Learn from their successes and their failures. But admire, do not envy.
Why This Quote Stands Out
This quote stands out because it uses the vivid image of a force field. It makes the idea concrete. Envy creates a negative force field that repels success. Admiration creates a positive one that attracts it. You can feel the difference.
It also stands out because it gives you a choice. You are not stuck with your feelings. You can choose to shift from envy to admiration. That choice can change your life.
The quote has inspired many because it offers a way out of the envy trap. It shows that envy is not just bad for others. It is bad for you. And admiration is good for you.
How You Can Benefit from This Quote
This quote can transform how you view successful people. Here is how to apply it.
- Catch Yourself in Envy: When you feel envy, notice it. Recognize that it is hurting you. Then consciously shift to admiration.
- Study Successful People: Instead of resenting them, learn from them. Read their biographies. Listen to their interviews. Understand how they got where they are.
- Ask: What Can I Learn? When you see someone successful, ask yourself: What can I learn from this person? What did they do that I can apply? This turns envy into education.
- Visualize Yourself as Successful: Admiration helps you see yourself in their shoes. Visualize it. Feel it. Let it draw you forward.
Real-Life Examples
The power of admiration over envy is seen in many lives. One example is Arnold Schwarzenegger. As a young man in Austria, he admired bodybuilders like Reg Park. He did not envy them. He studied them. He learned from them. That admiration drew him toward becoming a champion and later a movie star and governor.
Another example is Oprah Winfrey. She admired people like Maya Angelou and Sidney Poitier. She did not envy them. She learned from them. They became mentors and friends. Their wisdom helped shape her success.
A personal example might be someone in your field who is more successful. You can envy them and resent their success. Or you can admire them, ask for advice, and learn from them. One path leads nowhere. The other can change your career.
Questions People Ask
What if successful people are dishonest or harmful?
Then do not admire them. Choose role models with integrity. Admire those who deserve admiration. There are plenty.
Is it ever okay to envy?
Envy is a natural feeling. It is what you do with it that matters. Acknowledge it, then shift to admiration and learning. Do not stay in envy.
How do I shift from envy to admiration?
Focus on what you can learn. Ask questions about their journey. See them as teachers, not competitors. Gratitude also helps. Be grateful for the examples they provide.
What to Take Away
Envy repels success. Admiration attracts it. This is a choice you make every time you see someone who has what you want. Choose wisely. Catch yourself in envy and shift to admiration. Study successful people. Learn from them. Let them draw you forward. Brian Tracy's words are a guide to transforming your mindset. Use them. Turn envy into education. Turn admiration into action. You will find yourself moving toward the success you once only envied.