Sin will do a number on you.
The #1 reasons are unsuccessful is their inability to lead themselves.
Who influenced you? When did they influence you? How have they influenced you? What have you done with their influence?
When you go before God, you can only confess one person's sins.
If a preacher tells you how God says you are, I don't see how you can say that's bad preaching.
God gives enabling grace to go on.