Hey guys!
It’s Friday, and time for me to sock it to you with another scintillating rev up! This week, I want to dive into a topic that’s so common yet so damaging—self-sabotaging behaviour. This nasty little habit can sneak in, especially when life gets busy, and we drop our essential routines or “non-negotiables.”
Sound familiar? Yeah, it hit me hard this week, and I know some of you will relate!
The Ongoing Battle with Self-Sabotaging Behaviour
I was reviewing some content for my new program (exciting stuff, stay tuned!), and the module on mindset really resonated with me, particularly because of how my week went down. Here’s the thing—I’ve been a property investor and renovator for nearly 20 years. I’ve invested tons into personal development and value where it has got me over the years, so you’d think I’d have worked all this sh*t out by now, right?
Wrong! One hard truth I’ve learned is that self-sabotaging behaviour is an ever-evolving beast. You don’t just “beat it” once and move on. Nope! It’s like whack-a-mole—just when you think you’ve got it under control, it pops up again, often at the worst times.
What’s worse is that I’m the absolute worst when it comes to letting go of my non-negotiables when life gets busy. I mean, let’s face it, we’re all juggling a crazy amount of sh*t these days. Between managing three renovations, re-filming a new program, commercial deals being negotiated, and all the other life stuff, I let the most critical thing slip: my routines.
Non-Negotiables: The Key to Success
You’ve probably heard me bang on about non-negotiables before, but I can’t stress their importance enough. They’re the daily habits or rituals that keep you grounded and moving forward. For me, these include journaling, setting positive intentions for the day, and getting my butt to the gym regularly.
Yet, this week, I let life get in the way and dropped the ball on all of these. I stopped journaling, skipped my morning rituals, and let’s not even talk about my gym routine—it was non-existent. And guess what? The effects were immediate.
How Self-Sabotaging Behaviour Sneaks In
Fast forward to a huge commercial deal negotiation—the biggest I’ve ever gone after. We’re talking serious extra zeros here, guys. You’d think I’d be feeling pumped, right? Instead, the ol’ self-sabotaging behaviour kicked in, hard. Cue the inner critic: “Who do you think you are to pull this off? Who am I to do deals like this?”
Sounds familiar? It’s a classic example of the “same devil, different level” syndrome. Every time you try to level up, those self-doubt thoughts bubble up, dragging you back to your comfort zone. It’s the mind’s way of trying to protect you from risk, but in reality, it’s just self-sabotage.
How to Spot and Stop Self-Sabotaging Behaviour in Its Tracks
The good news is, with years of doing the inner work, I no longer let those self-doubts linger for long. Sure, they pop up, but the trick is recognizing them for what they are—bullsh*t. Your brain is trying to trick you into staying safe, but safe doesn’t get you anywhere exciting.
You have to be vigilant. You’ve got to stop that self-sabotaging behaviour before it halts your progress altogether. So, my point really is – this is not a one stop “yep, I’ve done the work” scenario. You must be consistently onto it.
Pro Tip: Keep Your Non-Negotiables Sacred
One of the most effective ways to stop self-sabotaging behaviour is by keeping your non-negotiables non-negotiable. Sounds simple, right? But trust me, it’s harder than it sounds when life gets crazy. However, these daily habits are your safety net. They help you maintain the mindset and energy needed to push through tough challenges and massive goals.
For example, I’ve finally taken my own advice (about bloody time!) and started setting up a home gym. No more excuses about not having time to hit the gym! I’ve set myself up to remove as many barriers as possible so I can keep this non-negotiable firmly in place.
Why Self-Sabotaging Behaviour is So Common
Self-sabotaging behaviour is something we all deal with, no matter how successful or experienced we are. You might think, “Once I’ve hit my stride, I’ll be immune to this,” but that’s just not how it works. As I said earlier, every time you level up in your journey that sneaky self-doubt comes creeping back.
So how do you handle it?
- Acknowledge it: The first step in overcoming self-sabotaging behaviour is recognizing it when it happens. Don’t beat yourself up—just acknowledge it.
- Take action: Immediately refocus on your non-negotiables. Get back into the habits that support your growth, whether it’s journaling, exercising, or setting daily intentions.
- Stay accountable: It helps to have someone or something that holds you accountable. Whether it’s a coach, a program, or even a friend, staying accountable ensures that you don’t let these habits slip for too long.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Consistency
Self-sabotage thrives on inconsistency. Every time you let those non-negotiables slide, you give self-sabotaging behaviour more power. But the opposite is also true—when you stick to your routines, even when life gets crazy, you weaken its grip.
So, if you’re reading this and thinking, “Yep, that’s me, I’ve been letting life get in the way,” take this as your sign to get back on track. Recommit to your non-negotiables, recognise when you’re falling into old patterns, and take the steps to push past them.
You’ve got this!
Let me know your thoughts. Drop a comment below or hit reply—let’s keep each other accountable. Now get off that comfy couch and take some action!
