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Are you self-sabotaging?

How do you know if you are self-sabotaging?

Everyone makes mistakes.  Indeed, it is natural to do so.  However behaviours that may be described as ‘self-sabotaging’ include anything that…

  • you do on a consistent basis,
  • it harms you in some way,
  • you feel unable to control or stop.

“Harming you in some way” includes mentally, physically or financially.

The key aspect to self-sabotaging behaviour is that the behaviour/response is not readily under the control of the conscious mind.

This means that you either;

  • cannot stop it happening
  • or can only stop it for a time before the behaviour comes back.

Self-Sabotaging Behaviours

Self-sabotage could include any of the following behaviours…

Yo-yo dieting (e.g. losing weight only to regain it later)

Job cycling (e.g. changing jobs on a periodic basis either through choice or through being dismissed)

Consistently being late

Failing to complete projects (e.g. having done the bulk of the work only to avoid taking the final steps necessary for completion)

Having self-imposed limits (e.g. not being able to break a particular barrier whether it be monetary, sporting or a personal boundary such as weight)

Regularly forgetting things

Loss of focus at critical moments (e.g. In Sport: losing key points or at significant moments;  At Work: unable or failing to make essential points/deadlines/closure)

Uncontrollable emotions (e.g. excessive emotion such as anxiety, crying or getting angry during both appropriate and inappropriate times; includes excessive responses such as sweating, throat clearing, and/or other anxious reactions )

Having an exaggerated startle reflex (e.g. anxiety attacks, falling/jumping/screaming at minimal provocation and/or according to a regular internal schedule)

Consistently saying the wrong thing at the wrong time (e.g. at the close of a job interview, meeting, or sale)

Avoidance activities (e.g. Extremes of behaviours such as: over-eating; over-working; excessive day-dreaming or fantasising; excessive drinking and/or drug use; any behaviour designed to avoid you being alone with your thoughts/feelings)

Take Action

If you suspect that you are self-sabotaging and want to know how to stop, contact Tracey McGrath on +61 (0) 8 9457 2266.

Download the TMI Self Sabotage Brochure

“Tracey is an absolute breath of fresh air. If there is one word I would use to describe how I benefited from my time with Tracey it would be ‘clarity’. Clarity in my own thinking, clarity in my decision making, clarity in my objectives, clarity in my leadership style and clarity with my strategy. I never realised that having a business coach could be so innovative, productive, energising, informative and good old fashioned fun. Tracey has a gift in assisting you to challenge your own thinking and formulate workable solutions, which I personally found incredibly helpful. She has some great tools, ideas and stories which she is always willing to share and time with Tracey is always enjoyable and well spent.”

Shelley Hymas | Client Director | Aon Risk Services Australia Ltd

“I have worked with Tracey in many capacities over a number of years. I enjoy her unique combination of personalised coaching (for both individuals and teams), real life experience and business guidance. She understands the need for real outcomes and has delivered many results for me personally as well as for my staff and colleagues. I appreciate her honest approach, never shying away from the difficult messages, as well as her compassion and desire to really make a difference. Her ability to deal with often ambiguous requests or embryonic ideas along with her innate sense of what people and businesses are looking for, make her a truly valuable management and coaching resource.”

Cheryl Robinson | Microsoft