A good friend told me he has a theory that our subconscious protects us from things we view as bad. This sounds great, and it probably is most of the time, except when we disdain the very things we want.
How many people want wealth, but talk and think about rich people as bad? If you consider famous people vapid and shallow, your subconscious will protect you from becoming well-known. If you think well-read people are pretentious, you’re acquisition of knowledge will be hampered.
Consider the power of your inner self to keep you away from the traits you don’t like. It might help you overcome envious or spiteful feelings towards those who have what you really want and thus free you up to obtain it.