Self-sabotage

Self-sabotage is when people make choices that hinder or block their success or prevent them from accomplishing their goals. It can happen consciously or subconsciously/unconsciously. Self-sabotaging behaviors can affect our personal achievement and professional success, as well as our mental/physical health.

Causes of self-sabotage

Self-sabotaging behaviour can be a result of poor self-esteem, other negative self-perceptions, fear of failure (avoiding failure in an unhealthy way), fear of success (See also: Jonah complex), fear of attachment as far as relationships, fear of the unknown (See: Courage and Risk and Risk management and Adventure) or other factors. In some cases, self-sabotage may be a unhealthy coping mechanism for dealing with stress or difficult emotions (imposter syndrome)

Overcoming self-sabotage

See also: mindfulness and Self-talk and Positive thinking and Optimism and Negative thinking and Pessimism and Goal setting and Action orientation and Procrastination and Perfectionism and Habit and Self-care and Self-compassion and Values and Virtue and Prioritization and Planning and Accountability partner and Mentor

Usain Bolt avoids thinking about his weaknesses before a race. Sometimes he thinks about how he will celebrate if he wins. See: Self-talk

Usain Bolt beating Tyson Gay and setting a 100 meter world record at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, Germany.

How to stop self-sabotaging in 8 steps:

1. Notice your behavioral patterns with mindfulness

2. Monitor your self-talk and use positive affirmations. See also: Positive thinking and Optimism and Negative thinking and Pessimism

3. Set achievable goals broken down in smaller steps to gain confidence and monitor your progress to build momentum.

4. Be action oriented. Avoid procrastination and perfectionism.

5. Practice self-care via healthy and helpful habits in order to support your mental and physical health.

6. Reflect on your dreams, values, and priorities in order to do effective planning. See also: Virtue

7. Find an accountability partner and mentor

8. Practice self-compassion

Articles and videos:

• Self-sabotaging: what it is, causes, and how to stop, Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA

• Self-Sabotaging: Why Does It Happen, VeryWellMind.com

Videos:

• Overcoming self-sabotage - video playlist, Video playlist

See also

• Rationalization (Psychology)
• Excusitis
• Neuroticism
• Jonah complex

External links

• 5 Self-Sabotaging Worksheets For Your Clients by Laura Copley, Ph.D

Videos:

• Self-sabotage - video playlist, Video playlist