Do You Have an Unconscious Fear of Success?

For many, attaining an important goal can leave them feeling empty, disillusioned and unproductive. When they have nothing more to strive for, they are left with nothing but their true selves -- which they may not, at the deepest level, like. Thus, they may postpone success until they can be sure they have a new challenge to tackle before they will allow themselves to show up and achieve.

Maybe the Dow Jones Industrial Average has taken a step back from 14,000 because of a fear of success. The Dow's fall from its peak may be a necessary wake-up call for us all at the end of the day. Whether we are aware of it at a conscious or unconscious level, maybe we are just not ready for 14,000 just yet.

Whether it's A-Rod or Barry Bonds hitting home runs or a new all-time high for the Dow, we will just have to stick to our fundamentals and wait and see.

Please write to the Stock Doc with your trading, emotional or investing dilemmas. Dr. Cass always welcomes comments and stories, for which he'll try to offer solutions in later columns.