We are capable of enormous powers of self-sabotage. This is ever a danger to undermine our contributions, though our circumstances shift over the years and seasons.
Here is a list of signals that you might be self-sabotaging, in the Jeff Foxworthy (“You might be a redneck if…”) spirit:
- Embracing known lies as excuses
- Seeking pleasurable distractions
- Choosing to do lesser work than you’re capable of, and being satisfied with first efforts
- Thinking too much about what others think of you
- Frequent procrastination on a significant project
- Assuming a failure is fatal or cannot be used to move forward
- Stalled because you’re spending more time imagining fearful situations than potential payoffs
- Failing to cheer others on and celebrating their good work; letting jealously and envy rule your mind
- Wallowing in anger about minor matters
- Choosing to stride alone rather than going with others when appropriate
- Habitually failing to get appropriate rest and recovery
- Absorbing criticism, even constructive criticism, as personal attacks
- Consciously ignoring wisdom from experience
- Staying ‘safely’ in convention and majority positions which you know are limiting
- Choosing noise and chaos to avoid difficult internal emotional work
- Redoubling your efforts when you have forgotten your aim
- Trying to please the wrong audience
- Demonizing all emotions, aiming to be completely rational
- Unwilling to create sustained changes for a new season or opportunity
- Avoiding uncomfortable-but-growth learning
- Preferring pleasure over joy
- Addictions of many kinds; the compounding interest works against your best capability
- Seeking to control all things rather than working with what you can control
- Looking for cost-free and effort-free solutions
- Interpreting all information by how it affects your self-identity
What if you recognize something here is true about you? (In candor, I could create this list because I have done all of these, and often.)
Repent.
I’m not speaking of wailing guilt and shame, but the way the New Testament speaks of repentance. The Greek word in the NT translated at ‘repent’ is “metanoia” which means “change of mind.”
We need to change our mind when we self-sabotage. That’s a decision, followed by actions which are consistent with your new way of thinking. No one can do that for you. All good things are on the far side of that decision.
Repent, then lead yourself forward.
