34. Self-Sabotage

What is self-sabotage, and why does it feel so terrible? Self-sabotaging is when we create unnecessary problems for ourselves that get in the way of our goals, and part of the reason that it feels awful is that we blame ourselves for it; we think that we are the problem. 

Remember that our primitive brain loves familiarity and repetition. It serves up familiar thought patterns in an effort to keep you the same, and that sometimes makes it feel like we are sabotaging our own interests when in reality, it is our brain trying to protect us from pain.

There is so much power in your ability to override your primitive brain, even though it doesn’t always feel that way. I walk you through three different ways that you can start taking control of your emotional management: (1) paying attention to everything that leads up to self-sabotage, (2) reminding yourself that discomfort is unavoidable, and (3) focusing on the future rather than the past.

I ideally want you to be doing the opposite of self-sabotage, instead checking in with yourself to find out what you need to accomplish, whatever it is that you truly want to accomplish, that your primitive brain is trying to prevent. What you want in your life will come to you so much more slowly if you exchange that for giving into the temptation to stick to what is familiar.

Show Highlights

• what is self-sabotage

• why detached observation is more accurate

• how our primitive brains wanting to be repetitive leads to self-sabotage

• reminder that you have the power to override your primitive brain

• three different ways to start taking control of your emotional management

Resources

Sheila’s Website
Email me: sheila@sheilatully.com