The Most Common Types of Self-Sabotage and How to Overcome Them

Self-sabotage is a common behavior that can prevent us from achieving our goals in life. Learn about the most common types of self-sabotage and how to overcome them.

The Most Common Types of Self-Sabotage and How to Overcome Them

Self-sabotage is a common behavior that can prevent us from achieving our goals in life. It can take many forms, from procrastination and perfectionism to self-criticism, resistance to change, and poor self-care. But whatever form it takes, it's possible to overcome these behaviors and reach our goals. Procrastination is one of the most common types of self-sabotage.

It's when someone constantly postpones things and waits until the last possible minute. This can be due to fear of failure or fear of success, or simply because it's easier to put things off than to face them head on. Perfectionism is another form of self-sabotage. Perfectionists often set unrealistic expectations for themselves and become overwhelmed when they can't meet them.

This can lead to procrastination, as they become too afraid to start a task in case they don't do it perfectly. Self-criticism is another type of self-sabotage. People who are overly critical of themselves often have low self-esteem and lack confidence in their abilities. This can lead to them avoiding tasks or giving up on them before they've even started.

Resistance to change is another form of self-sabotage. People who are resistant to change may be afraid of the unknown or may be comfortable with their current situation, even if it's not ideal. This can lead them to stay in the same job or relationship for too long, even if it's not making them happy. Finally, poor self-care is a type of self-sabotage.

People who don't take care of themselves may deny themselves simple pleasures and relaxation, leading to unhealthy habits such as binge eating or staying up late watching TV. Whatever form your self-sabotage takes, there are ways to overcome it and reach your goals. Start by recognizing the behavior and understanding why you're doing it. Then, create a plan for how you can break the cycle and replace it with healthier behaviors.

For example, if you're a perfectionist who wants to complete a task smoothly, make small improvements instead of trying to do everything perfectly at once. It's also important to practice self-care and give yourself permission to take breaks when you need them. Finally, create a vision board that appeals to your right brain and helps you communicate with your amygdala-driven self. This will help you stay focused on your goals and keep you motivated.

Colin Lear
Colin Lear

Hipster-friendly coffee lover. Professional bacon scholar. Infuriatingly humble music practitioner. Proud pop culture junkie. Proud travel fanatic.