Self-sabotaging
- Philip Brophy
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Self-sabotage explained • 2 min read
Burnout is considered a form of self-sabotage. Job aggregator Indeed carried out a study on 1,500 U.S. workers and found that over half of the surveyed employees experienced burnout in 2021.
This often occurs as a result of weak boundaries. Our default is often set to work on the most immediate deadlines.
Introduction
Why don’t our actions align with our goals?
Self-sabotaging occurs when the logical, conscious part of our brains is at odds with the subconscious side – the voice that tells us to binge eat 3 Easter eggs and 1kg of mac n’ cheese in one sitting; or to leave just an hour to put together a substantial presentation.
Sabotaging is common in the workplace, whether this takes the form of loud ranting in the communal kitchen, or even negotiating a salary.
This week, we’ll look at how to rewire our mindset from one of self-defeat to self-motivation.
But first, let’s look at some of the characteristics of self-sabotage.
Who self-sabotages?
There is an array of different types of people who self-sabotage, those of us who:
Set unreasonable, unattainably, high standards for ourselves, feeling that everyone around us is perfect, and we have to live up to this standard.
Experience impostor syndrome — when we make unrealistic comparisons to others or when we feel underqualified for our job.
Over-engage. In an increasingly fast-paced corporate world, we can all be at risk of burnout. This occurs when we overcommit and pour ourselves into our work.
Do you self-sabotage?
Can you identify with any of these feelings?
Sometimes I find myself thinking, ‘Screw it. I don’t really care if this fails.’ (But I do!)
God, I’ll never be able to do this, why even bother?
I’m a serial procrastinator – I can’t help putting things on the long finger!
Sometimes I find myself squabbling with peers over trivial issues.
I can spectacularly fall short of reaching a goal over something very stupid and avoidable.
Oops! I “forgot” the deadline again.
I tend to lose steam and grind to a halt on a project without any rational explanation. Nothing can get me going again.
If you recognise yourself in any of these scenarios, you are encountering some form or self-sabotage.
The consequences
When we ‘sabotage,’ we undermine or destroy something for ourselves, often in a deliberate and covert way. We want one thing so much, but something stands in the way of our goals. Deep within our subconscious, we’re fighting against these goals.
When we self-sabotage, we’re not acutely aware that we’re doing it. However, when these negative behaviours consistently undermine our daily habits and long-term goals, they keep us from achieving what we most want in life, becoming a form of psychological self-harm.
However, never fear! Next time, we’ll look at ways to turn self-sabotaging into self-motivation.
Key takeaways
Self-sabotaging occurs when the subconscious part of our brains tells us to delay things, put things off, act in certain ways, all as forms of self-preservation.
People who self-sabotage often set unrealistic standards, they can suffer from imposter syndrome and they overextend themselves which often leads to burnout.
It’s often the case that we are unaware of self-sabotage. However, these negative behaviours can consistently prevent us from achieving what we most want in life.
Think big, act small
Self-awareness is a critical emotional intelligence skill which we can use to tackle self-sabotaging.
Take a look at one of the ways that you may self-sabotage and try to identify how it presents itself every time.
In our next lesson, we’ll look at countermeasures to transform self-sabotaging into behaviours of abundant productivity!
Content sources
Entrepreneur Europe, 2018, Deep Patel, 8 Ways to Stop Self-Sabotaging Your Success
Forbes, 2021, Mary Juetten, Self-Sabotage: Be Aware And Beware
Forbes, 2009, ‘Self-sabotage at work’
Forbes, 2021, Bryan Robinson, ‘Apply These 10 Scientifically-Backed Strategies To Avoid Career Self-Sabotage’
Mindtools.com, Mind Tools Content Team, ‘Self-Sabotaging - Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior’
Psychology Today, Psychology Today Staff, ‘What is self-sabotage’
Forbes Women, Celine de Costa ‘Why You Must Slay Your Mindset And Stop Self-Sabotage To Achieve Your Goals’
Harvard Business Review, 2020, Kandi Wiens, ‘Is Self-Sabotage Burning You Out?’
Mindtools.com, Mind Tools Content Team, ‘Self-Sabotaging - Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior’
Stephanie Burns, ‘5 Ways to Stop Self Sabotage’
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