Stop Sabotaging Your Success: Why We Do It & How To Stop

It’s a strange feeling to know that you ruined the very thing you were trying so hard to accomplish, yet everyone has participated in self-sabotage at some point in their lives. Stop self-sabotage! Most self-sabotage is the result of discomfort, whether it’s the discomfort of failing, succeeding, or having to perform tasks that are uncomfortable. So let’s discuss the most common ways we self-sabotage and work to generate solutions to overcome them.

Typical Ways of Self-Sabotage

Distractions

The tasks that need to be done in order to be successful are typically less appealing than tasks that don’t actually progress success. Activities such as watching TV, surfing the internet, or spending time with friends can be fun and relaxing, but how much time can we devote to these things before they become detrimental to our growth? We’re experts at distracting ourselves, and the urge to seek out distractions increases with the unpleasantness of the task; hence, the habit of procrastination. 

Procrastination

Distractions are one way of procrastinating, but there are countless ways to procrastinate. Your time is your most valuable resource, especially when you have the goal of producing results for your business. Instead of scrolling or deleting old emails, stop self-sabotage and direct your attention to tasks such as marketing to potential clients, brainstorming new products, or checking in with your team members. The bottom line is that procrastinating puts the brakes on your goals while you could be accelerating.

Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness can be killing your success. When you can’t make up your mind, progress comes to a halt. Remind yourself that self-love is at the heart of every wise decision. This means waiting for certain knowledge or information before making a choice will only slow you down. When you trust your intuition, everything else around you will fall into place. Learn to have confidence in yourself, pull the trigger, and move forward.

Negative Thoughts

For many people, the closer they get to success, the more negative thoughts they experience. Research has shown that negative thinking can actually decrease activity in the cerebellum, making it more difficult to find or create solutions to the challenges you face. In order to stop self-sabotage and refrain from making this sabotaging mistake, practice mindfulness and let go of your negative thoughts and emotions.

Focusing on Low-Priority Tasks

The most important tasks are often the least enjoyable, so it’s no surprise that many people tend to put them off or avoid them completely. This is why you may find yourself tackling less important tasks with ease, as it allows you to feel like you’re still making progress. Be honest with yourself about your achievements and the rate at which you make them. Stop giving so much attention to non-essential tasks that do not contribute to your overarching goals. 

Quitting

Embrace the idea of conquering self-sabotage, and you’ll unlock the path to your success. You can’t achieve anything if you quit before you gain momentum. Remember that learning curves exist and new challenges are inevitable, but quitting will only fuel your fear of failure, closing the door to exciting opportunities and personal development. So, make a conscious effort to stop self-sabotage and ignite your passion as you journey towards your goals and embrace growth.

Solutions to Overcome Self-Sabotage

1. It’s okay to have distractions in your life, but control when, and how long, you engage in them.
2. Be clear on what needs to be done and why. Then, focus on just getting started, which is often the most challenging part of working.
3. Be clear on what needs to be done to accomplish your objective. Give yourself a time limit to make a decision.
4. Take control of your mind and practice mindfulness and positive thinking. Become your own biggest supporter instead of your own worst critic.
5. Have a list of tasks to do each day, ordered from most to least important. Start at the top of your list and work your way down.
6. Develop the habit of finishing what you start. Avoid caving into the fear that appears when you’re about to discover if you were successful or not.

The issue of self-sabotage is entirely your responsibility! At the end of the day, it’s easier to change yourself than it is to change someone else, so take advantage of that power and cheer yourself on by acknowledging “stop self-sabotage.” By recognizing the ways you sabotage your goals and progress, and implementing the solutions provided, you can overcome self-sabotage and achieve the success you deserve.

Wondering where to start? Schedule a call with me at www.callwithlisa.com and begin learning how to master your mindset and grab hold of your dreams.