Self Sabotage: Top Ways People Self Destruct Without Even Realizing It

Are you your own worst enemy? Here are the top ways people unintentionally sabotage their chances of success. Are you guilty of any?

Lack of Introspection

Couple pointing fingers at each other to blame each other.
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People often refuse to admit their own faults. They then go around pointing their fingers at everyone else. 

Refusal to take a deep look inside yourself and address your problems can sabotage your chances at happiness. 

Just World Fallacy

Man sitting with his hands near his chin, sadly thinking and seriously thinking
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The just world fallacy states that good things happen to good people, and bad things happen to bad people. It hinders on the idea that the world is fair. 

The world isn’t fair, but if you think it is, you may blame yourself when things go wrong and sabotage yourself because you don’t believe you deserve good things. 

Fixed Mindset

Man with his hands up about to grasp a holographic image of a brain floating in front of his chest.
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If you have a fixed mindset, you genuinely believe there’s a limit to your potential. You may think you’re terrible at math and can never learn, limiting your opportunities. 

Instead, cultivate a growth mindset, allowing you to believe in your unlimited potential. 

Refuse Therapy

Therapist listening to her patient holding a clipboard.
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A lot of people need help yet refuse to seek it. There’s no shame in seeking professional help to guide you through trauma, limiting beliefs, or challenging circumstances. 

Refusing help when it’s available is a surefire way to sabotage yourself. 

Sunk Cost

A coupld sits on opposite ends of a couch looking way from each other.
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Far too many people stay in bad relationships due to the sunk cost fallacy. They think they’ve already invested so much time it would be wasteful to change now. 

Stop thinking of the time you have already put in, and instead, focus on the time you will waste if you don’t make changes today. 

Retail Therapy

happy woman holding shopping bags
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Buying something new feels excellent at the moment, but when you spend all your money trying to buy the pain away, you’re sabotaging your financial future. 

Destructive Behaviors

man on couch with beer, chips, and tv remote who looks lazy
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Far too many people engage in destructive behaviors like gambling, excessive drinking, or substance abuse. You’re hurting your health and your wallet. 

If you constantly sabotage yourself with destructive behaviors, consider seeing a therapist. 

Lashing Out

angry man yelling and pointing towards camera
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Stop getting angry and defensive when people offer reasonable suggestions for improvement.  Learn to handle constructive criticism and stop lashing out when things don’t go your way. 

Fear of Failure

Potrait of a man who looks scared to represent weird phobias.
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We get it; failure is awful. But some folks are so paralyzed at the mere thought of failure that they refuse to even try. 

You’re sabotaging any chance you have if you refuse to try. 

Planning Obsession

person writing in their calendar planner
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There are two phases to everything: Planning and Doing. Some folks get so lost in the planning process that they never follow through with their plans. 

Stop planning and start doing. 

Perfectionism

A skeptical woman dressed in a pink business jacket with her arms crossed.
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Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. Perfect is an impossible ideal that no one can achieve. Stop wasting time waiting for perfection and just do it already. 

Remember, anything worth doing is actually worth doing poorly

Procrastination

Bored woman with hands on her face and curly red hair.
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The famous last words, “I’ll do it later,” are destroying your life. Stop putting off retirement savings, seeing a doctor, fixing that leaky drain, and updating your resume. 

The best time to do it is now. 

Time Flies – Savor Every Moment

sand running through an hourglass to represent quotes about time.
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They often say time flies, and that’s true. We’re often so busy we don’t even notice the days and years slip away. 

Yes Time Flies – But Here’s How To Savor Every Moment

Improve Your Life Starting Today

happy woman dressed in yellow celebrating her accomplishments on a yellow background
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If you’re not ready for the hard work, take smaller steps that will help you improve your life starting today. 

Find out more: How To Improve Your Life Right Now

How Journaling Can Boost Your Mental Health

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Increase your health and wellness with a simple, low cost tool: Journaling. But don’t take our word for it. 

Mental health experts speak out about all the benefits journaling offers

16 Indulgent Self Care Sunday Activities

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Self-Care is essential to wellbeing. Try one of these indulgent self care activities when you have a moment of spare time

Let Your Free Spirit Soar

Woman smiling in the passenger seat of a car to represent road trip games
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Are you a free spirit, forced to live in a little box by society’s constraints? Here are some tips for letting your spirit soar