Self-Sabotaging: How to Stop It and Achieve Your Goals

Think of self-sabotaging as hidden forces within your psyche working against your best intentions.

You make that conscious decision to exercise regularly, then suddenly ‘lose motivation’ and start justifying skipping workouts. You resolve to eat healthier, only to binge on junk food when cravings hit. Days of studying for an important meeting go up in smoke after a night of partying with friends.

These are classic self-sabotaging patterns. They offer fleeting satisfaction in the moment but sabotage long-term success, leaving you with remorse and frustration.

Make sure your worst enemy is not living between your own two ears.
Laird Hamilton

Deep-seated fears, limiting beliefs, and unresolved past experiences often fuel self-sabotaging behavior.

Perhaps you worry that success will make you a target for criticism. Maybe a part of you feels undeserving of good things. Or, your inner critic convinces you that failure is inevitable, so why even try?

These unconscious roadblocks keep you stuck in a cycle of starting something positive only to undermine your efforts.

Self-sabotaging happens to everyone in varying degrees. The key is recognizing the patterns. Start paying attention to moments when you derail your goals or revert to old, harmful habits.

Identify your personal triggers for self-sabotage. Becoming aware of these behaviors is the first step towards breaking free from this destructive cycle and making meaningful change in your life.

• What are my recurring patterns of self-sabotage? (Be specific – procrastination, overindulgence, starting projects but never finishing, etc.)
• What emotions arise when I’m about to succeed or step outside my comfort zone? (Fear, anxiety, inadequacy, etc.)
• Are there any negative messages I tell myself about my abilities or worthiness? (Examples: I always mess up, I’ll never be good enough…)
• Can I identify any childhood experiences or relationships that might have shaped these beliefs?
• In what areas of my life do I most feel the impact of self-sabotage? (Relationships, career, health, etc.)

Remember, self-awareness is the first powerful step toward change!

The key is to become a vigilant observer of your actions.

Every time you resolve to improve yourself – finish your education, lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more – watch for the obstacles that seem to magically appear. That inner resistance is your self-sabotaging pattern in action!

A progressive goal represents growth, effort, and change – everything your inner saboteur wants to prevent.

Where do these sabotaging tendencies come from? Deeply ingrained fears, past traumas, or negative family patterns often shape them. Your sabotaging voice might echo that critical parent from childhood, subtly or aggressively undermining your confidence.

The reasons vary, but psychotherapy can be a powerful tool to uncover these hidden blocks and reduce their power.

Recognize that self-sabotaging behaviors keep you stagnant and unhappy. They reinforce unhealthy relationships, destructive habits, and a diminished sense of self.

By consciously analyzing them with your observing ego, you need to become aware of them and put them under your control. Only when you’re aware of your inner saboteurs can the real work begin. Use your conscious mind as a spotlight to expose those self-sabotaging thoughts and habits.

The goal isn’t to conquer them immediately but to start the process of observation and awareness. Be patient with yourself – setbacks are normal! Every stumble highlights a point of inner resistance, paving the way for continued personal growth.

Think of building a new habit of action as putting on a formal suit instead of your trusty, comfy jeans. It requires preparation, intention, and discomfort…initially. However, just like dressing well reflects positively on the world, developing those good habits creates a better life.

Sadly, many choose the easier path that avoids struggle and change, such as staying dependent on parents instead of starting their own family, or playing video games instead of going out and socializing. However, this comes at a cost – stagnation and unfulfilled potential.

The good news is it’s never too late to shift course! Taking on new challenges and nurturing neglected aspects of yourself is the foundation of truly overcoming self-sabotaging patterns.

So, pick up that paintbrush symbolically and literally! Embracing those latent parts of yourself leads to happiness and a life lived to the fullest.

At this point, you’re very close to mastering the skills of keeping your mind in good shape. The final step is a kind of temptation: The dangers of perfectionism.