The Jonah Complex

Growing up, in South Central Virginia, a young Earl Johnson often failed to understand the real meaning of the word - success. The fact that some people were considered successful did not motivate or inspire him to maximize his potential. "In reality, I failed to reflect on what real success was," he would later say. When a seventh-grade teacher asked the class to write a paper on what they wanted to do in life, Earl had no clue. He was dumbfounded, because he did not have the faintest idea of what he wanted to do in life. Looking back more than 40 years later, he realized that he had a parochial outlook on life. For a sustained period in his life, he was apprehensive with a morbid fear of failure. He suffered from success anxiety and was indecisive regarding career choices. He considered himself the victim of what noted psychologist Abraham Maslow called the "Jonah Complex," in reference about the biblical prophet Jonah. He was chosen by God to execute a life-changing assignment of redemption and salvation to a city that had lost its way. Instead doing what God commanded, Jonah attempted to run away from his obligation. Hence, the Jonah complex, in many respects, is the fear of greatness and failure. It is the fear of what might happen if a person attempts to reach their highest possibilities. Earl believes that it is regrettable and a form of socio-spiritual suicide to have the ability to achieve god-like potential in life and fail to use that ability. This book is an invaluable and insightful tool for those searching to break the cycle of success anxiety, the fear of self-achievement, and the stripping away of self-imposed limitations. It helps you rediscover the keys to mental happiness. Using Christian themes, action research, relevant scriptures and examples from his childhood, Earl offers a clear and concise perspective in overcoming success anxiety and the fear of failure.