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WHAT IS self sabotage?

Saboteur behaviours are those that undermine one's personal or professional success, well-being, or relationships. Tackling your saboteur behaviours usually has a ripple effect on different aspects of your life and has a transformative impact on your happiness and success. Coaching is very effective and here's a list of common saboteur behaviours:

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  • Self-Criticism: Engaging in harsh self-judgment and negative self-talk that erodes self-confidence and motivation.
     

  • Procrastination: Delaying or avoiding tasks and responsibilities, often leading to increased stress and decreased productivity.
     

  • Perfectionism: Setting excessively high standards and becoming overly focused on avoiding mistakes, which can lead to anxiety, indecision, and paralysis.
     

  • Self-Sabotage: Engaging in behaviours that knowingly undermine one's own goals or success, often driven by fear, self-doubt, or a desire to avoid discomfort.
     

  • Negative Thinking: Dwelling on problems, setbacks, or worst-case scenarios, which can fuel pessimism, anxiety, and a sense of helplessness.
     

  • Blame-Shifting: Avoiding accountability by attributing failures or shortcomings to external factors, other people, or circumstances beyond one's control.
     

  • Victim Mentality: Adopting a passive or defeatist mindset, viewing oneself as powerless or at the mercy of external forces, which can limit initiative and personal agency.
     

  • Comparison: Constantly comparing oneself to others and feeling inadequate or inferior as a result, which can undermine self-esteem and motivation.
     

  • Excuses: Justifying inaction or poor choices with rationalisations or explanations that deflect responsibility and hinder personal growth.
     

  • Fear of Failure: Allowing fear of failure to prevent taking risks, pursuing goals, or stepping outside of one's comfort zone, leading to missed opportunities and stagnation.
     

  • Fear of Success: Subconsciously resisting achievement or advancement due to fears of change, increased responsibility, or the expectations that come with success.
     

  • People-Pleasing: Prioritising others' needs and expectations over one's own, often at the expense of personal boundaries, authenticity, and well-being.
     

  • Self-Doubt: Questioning one's abilities, worth, or potential for success, which can undermine confidence and prevent taking decisive action.
     

  • Avoidance: Dodging difficult conversations, challenges, or uncomfortable emotions, which can perpetuate problems and prevent growth or resolution.
     

  • Indecision: Struggling to make choices or commit to decisions, often due to fear of making the wrong choice or uncertainty about the future.
     

Awareness of these saboteur behaviours is the first step toward overcoming them and cultivating a mindset and behaviours that support personal growth, resilience and success. As a coach, you can provide valuable support and guidance to help someone overcome self-sabotage. This has a transformational effect on the self and can provoke a domino effect of changes in different areas of life.

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