One of the most common comments I hear from my clients is that they know they are self-sabotaging themselves but do not know why they do it or how to stop the behavior. I have done quite a bit of research about this behavior, and I have been working on it for several years now.
Many times, self-sabotaging behavior begins with low self-esteem and negative thoughts about yourself. That behavior leads to over-consumption. For some it is alcohol or drugs. For others, it is food or self-harm.
You are self-sabotaging your efforts if a behavior is interfering with daily life or keeping you from reaching your long-term goals. While I coach women around healthy lifestyle and how to transition from unhealthy to healthy permanently, self-sabotage does not just apply to health. It applies to every area of our lives where we have goals.
You want to get things done around your house, or you have been meaning to update your wills, family documents, etc.
Why don’t you get those things done?
Do you procrastinate?
Are you a perfectionist?
Are you stressed and over-obligated?
These are all ways we self-sabotage! The best and first step to stop self-sabotaging behavior is awareness. These behaviors below signal you may be self-sabotaging:
You do not have clear goals written down - "What do I want in life?"
You procrastinate – "I will do it later!"
You are a perfectionist - "It is all or nothing"
You have negative thoughts/ limiting beliefs. – "I always quit."
These are just a few self-sabotaging behaviors. The good news is that you can work on these! You can establish a daily practice of setting goals for the day, week, month, and year. You can learn that done is better than perfect. You can overcome low self-esteem!
If you have some long-term goals for health, wealth, relationships, and career - Write them down! Get really clear on WHY you want to achieve those goals. Start to become self-aware of those things that you do to self- sabotage yourself. This is a daily practice! You can change this behavior.
Learn how to stop self-sabotaging with our 7-Day course!