How to Avoid Self-Sabotage

Recognize triggers

Self-sabotage occurs when we do things that keep us from having a successful outcome. I have self-sabotage myself a time or two during the course of my life. There have been missed opportunities because I didn’t feel worthy. Goals not met because I didn’t put in the work. For me I recognize that I have to be careful when I’m not feeling confident or, if I’m stressed or frustrated, because these are triggers for me to engage in self-sabotage.  

 This weekend someone I love was admitted into the hospital and my stress level went through the roof. My snacking on unhealthy food went out of control, and before I knew it I had consumed a medium bag of hot corn chips, a candy bar, an ice cream bar and topped it off with pizza for dinner. Did eating all that junk help the situation? Not at all. What it did was keep me up that night with a bellyache and regret for the decisions I’d made.

The next day I was still stressed, but I at this point I had a full night to recognize that I’d been triggered and was self-sabotaging my diet. 

Find alternating ways to respond to triggers

After I recognized I’d been triggered I decided that, although I was stressed, I would not allow myself to snack on junk food.  I didn’t want to spend the day worrying about my loved one and fighting the snacking urge. Snacking on fruits and veggies was a good compromise. Munching on healthy snacks resulted in a much happier belly. 

That day my loved one was released from the hospital and my stress level decreased back to normal. From this experience I am determined to keep alert so that I’ll know when I’m triggered so that I can engage in healthier ways to respond and not go off the rails. 

Forgive after self-sabotage

It’s so easy to beat ourselves up whenever we engage in self-sabotage, but in my opinion, it only makes things worse. It’s kinder to forgive ourselves and get back on track. There is nothing gained by wallowing in your misstep. Especially if you already paid the price of a missed goal/opportunity or in my case with a bellyache.

Seek help when needed

There are many ways to self-sabotage, whether it’s through procrastinating, perfectionism, or self-medicating (food, drink, or drugs). If you feel your form of self-sabotaging is beyond your control, seek help from an accountability partner, counselor or therapist. I often seek an accountability partner and at least tell them my plan for avoiding self-sabotage.  It helps me to keep focused and it helps to have someone remind you of your goals when you slip.

Have you ever self-sabotaged yourself? How did you handle it and what do you do to keep from repeating the behavior?  Let me know in the comments.