Self-Sabotage Coming Home to Roost
Four steps to better manage the tendency to give up too soon
Sometimes, inspiration dies on the vine in my writing. These times seem to return occasionally, and when they do, I am seized by a once familiar and useful explanation: self-defeating inhibitions.
These inhibitions are often termed forms of self-sabotage or behaviors or thought patterns that hinder your progress or success.
They might consist of signs of omission, such as not trying extremely hard, quitting early before positive results arrive, and entertaining doubts and fears rather than concentrating on the task. Giving in to distractions and indulgences are, of course, favored tributaries leading away from productive work.
Self-defeating inhibitions are feelings and thoughts that prevent task-oriented behavior, causing painful humiliation, embarrassment, and regret.
Why do we admit to ourselves and others that we want something but then show no effort to achieve it? For example, when you formulate a plan, as I did recently, to encourage seniors to engage more with others but fail to follow through.
Self-defeating behavior like this seems to sneak in and disturb one’s chances for success in whatever dreams and plans one proposes for oneself.