What is self-sabotage and why do we do it?
Self-sabotage is when certain thought patterns or behaviours prevent us from reaching our goals. This can be either active or passive and so sometimes we may not even realise we’re doing it. It can affect our relationships, careers, and even personal weight loss goals.
So why do we do it? If your goal is to get a promotion, why would you sabotage yourself reaching your goal?
The truth about self-sabotage is that self-esteem and fear are usually the main culprits! It can be easy to self-sabotage because you’re scared of the extra responsibilities in your new job. Or, maybe you don’t believe in yourself to be good at it. Whatever it is, it’s usually all in our minds.
So we begin to procrastinate and avoid the steps we need to take to reach our goals. We begin to blame external sources and come up with excuses. Check out my 5 Tips to Stop Procrastinating.
How can I stop Self-Sabotaging?
If all of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most people feel this way sometimes. The trick is to realize that this isn’t something outside of your control.
Understanding self-sabotage is one of the first starting points to overcoming it. Sure, you’re going to come across some obstacles that are outside of your control. But more often than not, you’re reaping the fruits of self-sabotage. You’ve derailed yourself, through your negative self-talk.
How can you get past this? It’s going to take time but here are some simple steps to help you get started on your task at hand:
1. Listen to Music
It’s hard to get yourself going if your mood is what is dragging you down. Thankfully, this is a quick fix. Put on some music you love, something fast-paced and catchy for a quick pick-me-up and watch your productivity soar.
2. Get up and Move
As with listening to music, putting your body in motion will build your energy levels (so long as you’re not trying to run a marathon!). Dance around the room, take a brisk walk or try a few jumping jacks to get the blood flowing. Then tackle your task again, wide-awake and energized.
3. Look Inward
Conversely, sometimes what you need is some quiet time. If you find your mind racing and yourself unable to concentrate on what you’re going, try meditation to slow things down. Find a quiet place, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. Take deep breaths, nice and slow, and focus yourself on the present until you feel calm again.
4. Reassess What’s Important
It might be you’re not getting things done because you are no longer aligned with your goal. If this seems to be the case, take some time to ask yourself some very crucial questions about why you’re on this journey. It might be you either need to shift your goal to something else or, at the very least, adjust the outcome to serve your present needs.
5. Contribute
When all else fails, if you do not feel your work has value, offer to help someone else. Mentoring is a win-win situation where you bring your life skills and experience to help someone else who truly needs it. At the same time, you rediscover your passion through the act of teaching others what you know.
Conclusion
Self-sabotage can have serious negative effects on your life if you allow it to take over. However, thankfully it can be resolved by some inner reflection and productivity tips.
Start to apply these steps to your daily life and say good-bye self-sabotage, hello accomplishment. Soon you’ll be more productive than ever!
