7 Steps to Stop Self-Sabotage
Self Sabotage? Does this sound familiar ?
Imagine you’ve started a new job, business, or relationship, and everything is going smoothly.
Suddenly, something goes wrong seemingly out of nowhere.
Maybe you forget to turn in an important report, fail to clear up a misunderstanding with your partner, or neglect to follow up on a new business lead.
Despite these warning signs, you choose to ignore them and do nothing.
This behavior is a form of self-sabotage that can hinder your ongoing success and prevent you from achieving your goals.
What is Self-Sabotage?
You can think of self-sabotage as the things you do to stand in your own way of accomplishing your goals, whether they be for career or personal.
Different forms of self-sabotage.
Procrastination – Putting something off even though you know you should be doing it. For instance, cleaning the house or watching Netflix instead of completing your assignment. Getting distracted scrolling through social media when you have planned to finish that project, write that blog article or study for your exam. (Procrastination is often associated with perfectionism and imposter syndrome
Lateness – consistently running late to functions, events or worse to meetings after you have just been noticed for promotion or started in a new role.
Stress eating or drinking – Reaching for that doughnut, even though you have gone the whole week eating healthy. Having one more drink when you know you have to get up early the next morning to work out.
Commitment issues – Find yourself speaking rudely or picking fights with your partner, becoming needy and controlling or avoiding relationships at all costs.
While all of these things might look subtle and even have an initial calming effect, they advertently sabotage you from achieving your long-term goals.
Why do people engage in self-sabotage behaviours?
Humans are complex beings, and while two people may engage in the same form of sabotage, it may come from different origins.
But one thing to remember is that all self-sabotage behaviour serves a purpose.
Even though it has negative consequences from the outside, asking yourself what need it could be filling can help understand why you are doing it.
For example, drinking alcohol after work might alleviate your stress from the day and procrastinating instead of taking action on your project might help to avoid your underlying fear of failure.
These behaviours allow you to escape or avoid the negative emotions of anxiety or distress.
How To Stop Self-Sabotage Behaviours.
1. Determine the Behaviour
Sometimes we know all too well what we are doing but can’t seem to change it. Then there are other times we are oblivious to what seems evident to everyone else.
Take some time and get clear on how you are sabotaging yourself, what actions are you taking or not taking.
Distinguish the triggers, when does it happen and what are the circumstances that cause it to happen.
2. Identify the underlying need.
As previously stated, all behaviour serves a purpose, even those that have negative consequences from the outside.
With this understanding, recognise what underlying need is being satisfied, such as avoiding anxiety, intimacy or fear of rejection.
Let go of any judgment here and keep an open mind.
3. Tolerate some discomfort.
You may have been participating in the self-sabotaging behaviour for some time, so be prepared to feel some discomfort when you are transitioning to your new behaviours.
4. Get clear on the bigger picture, prioritise your goals?
Determine what you want and why it’s important to you. Not only will this help set the direction and course you will take but will assist with motivation, should temptation beckon.
5. Plan for any obstacles.
With the direction set and plans in place, preparing for any obstacles that may present themselves will give you an advantage. Such as keeping a bag with your gym gear in the boot of your car, so when you have an incredibly stressful day at work, you can go straight to the gym, instead of having a few drinks with colleagues.
6. Be kind to yourself and reframe any setbacks as lessons.
Even the best-laid plans can have some hiccups.
Should a relapse occur, you don’t have to feel bad about failing. Instead, show yourself some compassion and reframe the setback as lessons to learn better strategies for moving forward.
You could ask yourself, “what could I do differently” or “how can I make this work for me?”
While sabotaging behaviour might look the same as another, it may be filling a different need on the inside. Determine the need and then find alternative behaviours, plan for obstacles and be kind to yourself when you face a challenge. Developing a growth mindset will help with reframing any setbacks as you find new ways of learning.
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