I often tell the story of a study where a job ad was placed with a $50,000 salary offered. There were many applicants. The study then re-ran the ad, with the exact same requirements and duties with a salary of $250,000 offered. No applications were received.

What does this tell us about ourselves? Human nature? Clearly, we judge ourselves as to our value. People did not give the advertisers the opportunity to decide if they were worth the larger amount – they decided in their own mind they were not worth it and kept themselves from being in a prosperous position.

We do this all the time – the salesman who won't call on certain prospects because they are too tough or higher class or love their current supplier. The employee who doesn't apply for the higher position because they think they lack skills/education/enough something. Or the business owner who doesn't set a budget because he doesn't think he can impact how customers behave.

This is self-sabotage – we cobble ourselves and keep ourselves within the walls of our own self-doubts. Some people are poor because they think that's where they belong, and some people are rich because they see themselves as a rich person – even when they have failed.

How do you sabotage yourself? In what ways is this hurting your goals? Your mental image of yourself or your business can do huge harm…or tremendous good.

Michael McKee is a long-time member of the Omaha business community. If you have something to share with Michael McKee, you can write him at michael@omahadailyrecord.com, or you can attend the Omaha Empowerment Breakfast. This column is no substitute for legal, tax or financial advice, which can be furnished only by a licensed professional.