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#173 | ARE YOU SELF-SABOTAGING YOUR SUCCESS?

  • Writer: Carter Ferguson
    Carter Ferguson
  • Aug 10
  • 7 min read

This episode is sponsored by

Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear. George Addair

Howdy folks and welcome back once again. In last week’s show I talked about how you could gamify your career with certain productivity strategies and if you thing that is something which appeals to you and you haven’t yet listened to it, please go back and check it out.


George Addair’s quote at the top of the show there is a perfect reminder to us that we need to push through fear to achieve your breakthrough, and that’s the theme of today’s show – Are you self-sabotaging your success. Now I have covered this before but it was a long time ago in Episode 85, 10 Types of Self-Sabotage, and I thought it was about time I revisited the subject. So here we are!


What if the only thing standing between you and your breakthrough is you? Today, we’re talking about why so many of us avoid the very actions that could change our lives—and how to stop holding yourself back.

Wayne Gretzky famously said that “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” 

Have you ever felt like you’re stuck on the verge of something big but just can’t seem to take the next step? You’re not alone. Many of us find ourselves at a standstill, seemingly on the cusp of achievement, only to realise that something is holding us back. Sometimes though, we just can’t see what it is. Could it be that you are unconsciously sabotaging your own chances for advance?


Becoming aware of our own self-sabotaging behaviour is often the first crucial step towards personal growth, and acknowledging it empowers us to make the necessary changes to achieve our full potential.


This obliviousness often stems from a lack of self-awareness and an inability to identify the recurring patterns that hinder our progress. Consequently, we might blame external factors for our setbacks, which further perpetuates our self-defeating actions.


The reasons behind self-sabotage can stem from a variety of factors, such as fear of failure, fear of success, or a lack of self-belief and acknowledging these underlying issues and taking steps to overcome them is essential if we are to break free from these self-imposed limitations. By overcoming our self-sabotaging behaviour, we will open the doors to a myriad of personal and professional possibilities.


So, why do we avoid our breakthroughs?


Fear of Success:  Some people subconsciously fear the responsibility or change that comes with success. Fear of success is characterised by apprehension about the consequences of achieving one's goals and it can stem from concerns such as fear of change, impostor syndrome, fear of losing identity, or discomfort with increased visibility. By acknowledging and addressing these underlying issues, we can overcome self-imposed limitations and embrace opportunities for growth and success.


An example of this might be that a writer avoids sending their manuscript to publishers because they fear rejection—or success that could upend their life.


Another thing that can lead to self-sabotaging behaviour is one I talk of often - Perfectionism and Procrastination:


The idea that “I’ll start when it’s perfect” almost always leads to avoiding action entirely. I could say that my putting together this 12-episode season of the show is being driven by a need for me to clear the decks to create the best possible opportunity for me to write some feature scripts I have been putting off. I’m determined to get this season out the way so that it isn’t on my mind for 6 months, but the reality could be that I should just push this aside and get on with writing the features. Those films, once in 1st draft format could lead to success for me and more opportunities, but I am forever seeking the perfect alignment of planets, in order that I can get onto them.


Perfectionism and procrastination will always create significant obstacles in our pursuit of important goals and overall life satisfaction. Here's how:


  1. Time and energy drain: Engaging in perfectionism will lead to excessive time and energy spent on minute details, often at the expense of more significant tasks or aspects of life. Procrastination can similarly waste time and energy as we engage in unproductive activities to avoid a task.

  2. Missed opportunities: While obsessing over trivial details or avoiding responsibilities, we may miss out on valuable opportunities for personal or professional growth.

  3. Impaired relationships: Perfectionism can lead to unrealistic expectations of others, while procrastination may result in broken commitments and disappointment. Both behaviours can strain personal and professional relationships.

  4. Increased stress and anxiety: The pressure of perfectionism and the guilt associated with procrastination can contribute to chronic stress and anxiety, further hindering our ability to focus on more meaningful aspects of life.


Recognizing and addressing these self-sabotaging behaviours in ourselves will help you to redirect your energy towards what truly matters.

Growth and comfort do not coexist. Ginni Rometty

Finally, and I think this is really the one that limits me. It’s ne I am working hard to overcome too, is Comfort Zone Syndrome: You might be experiencing Comfort Zone Syndrome if you find yourself staying in familiar, predictable situations and having difficulty stepping out of your current circumstances to take on new challenges or opportunities. This syndrome can manifest as risk aversion, resistance to change, stagnation, and a fear of the unknown.


But recognising that you're in this comfort zone is the first step towards breaking free. By gradually pushing yourself to step outside of your comfort zone, you can develop resilience, adaptability, and promote personal growth.


I have this written on bits of paper on my office walls – Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable. I am always having to drive myself to do even small things like, do a different routine at the gym, or just try and new machine, or to attend networking events when I could more easily go home and relax, or avoiding training on new skills because I am comfortable with the way I always do things. Again, with this podcast I want to run a few bumper ads for this season, and that’s going to involve me doing things differently. The old ways of promoting the show simply don’t work. I know I have to make a change. But the thought of it and the effort I have to put into promoting in new ways does seem like a hell of a chore!

The scariest moment is always just before you start. Stephen King

Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential for personal growth and the development of resilience, adaptability, and new opportunities that will enrich your life and broaden your horizons. You likely don’t want to hear that, but I’m spitting facts.


How do you recognize if you’re avoiding your breakthrough?


Well, here are some signs that you’re holding yourself back:


  • You focus on “busy work” instead of the work that matters.

  • You tell yourself you’re “not ready yet.”

  • You feel stuck but don’t take action to move forward.


If you want to beat these feelings then you need to ask yourself reflective questions:

Ask yourself “What’s the one thing I know I should do—but keep avoiding?”- that’s the name of another recent episode. The work you are avoiding is where the magic lies! And also ask yourself, “Am I avoiding discomfort at the cost of growth?” Answer those questions and you will be halfway towards resolving them.


So how else can you stop yourself from Self Sabotaging, once you’ve realised that’s what you are doing?


1.     Break whatever you are trying to do down into smaller steps: Again, this is the premise of an earlier show – How do you eat an elephant? One bit at a time. T

Start by taking one small, manageable step toward your goal.


2.     Reframe Fear as Excitement: Fear and excitement are similar emotions. Use your fear as a sign that you’re on the edge of something big then set yourself a deadline: Remember that Deadlines force action—so commit to a specific date to complete the task you’ve been avoiding and get excited about completing it. Remember too Parkinson's Law, which states that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." In other words, the more time you give yourself to complete a task, the longer it will take. This can lead to procrastination and stress, as the build-up to the task becomes more daunting. It's a common observation in productivity and time management, and it's essential to be aware of this phenomenon to optimize your workflow and avoid unnecessary delays.


3.     Lastly, you must find accountability: so, if you think it will help, share your goal with someone who will hold you accountable. Accountability encourages responsibility, commitment, and follow-through, helping to overcome self-sabotaging behaviours. External accountability can provide additional motivation and support to achieve your goals.


So, avoiding your breakthrough often comes down to fear, perfectionism, or staying in your comfort zone. But your breakthrough is closer than you think—all it takes is one brave step forward.


Today’s call to action is that I want you to identify one thing you’ve been avoiding and commit to taking action on it this week. Lock it in, and do something about it.


Thanks again for checking in with me here and please don't forget to subscribe for more insights and strategies on personal development and productivity. Each step you take is a step closer to becoming the best version of yourself, and if you are enjoying the show and you know someone that would benefit from it, I’d very much appreciate it if you would share the link or post about it, maybe with a screengrab of your app on social media.


In next week’s show I’ll be looking at five ancient Chinese Battle strategies that we can harness to improve our odds in today’s crazy world, but let me end this episode with some words from

Sven Goran Eriksson who reminds us that "The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure."

Now take control of your own destiny, keep on shooting and join me next time on Film Pro Productivity and Success

are you self sabotaging your success?

 

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© 2018 Carter Ferguson - Film Pro Productivity

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