In my coaching practice I spend a lot of time talking with clients about making conscious, positive, resourceful choices to empower them toward accomplishing their goals. The problem that quickly surfaces is not always doing something “new” but is sometimes a matter of ceasing to do things that are self-sabotaging. Here are some of the major self-inflicted wounds that I’ve run across and how you can avoid them.
1) Procrastination! “Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?” Sure, we all have tasks and projects that we’d rather not do. The problem starts when we think that if we let something go long enough, it may just disappear altogether and we’ll be “off the hook. ” It usually doesn’t work that way. Most people don’t have problems finishing projects, we have problems starting them. Some tasks just create an illusion that they are difficult and time consuming. You put them on your to-do list but every time you look at those tasks you shift your attention to something else (phone calls about bills, little home-improvement projects or some boring tasks at work). These tasks will keep bugging you and making you feel stressed out for no reason. Try to break projects into chunks, so you are not overwhelmed by them. Work on them a few minutes at a time until you get them all done. Just finish any tasks that you’ve been procrastinating and you will feel that you can breathe freely again.
2) Poor self-care. Some of my clients treat their pets and cars better than they do themselves. We all recognize that regular maintenance is required to keep your car on the road. Likewise, proper self-care (mind, body, and spirit) is part of the scheduled maintenance that keeps your life running. Why not make one change in one area? For example: eat a piece of fruit every day (body), read a book (mind), meditate for 10 minutes (spirit).
3) Stop hoarding! Clutter creates confusion which slow energy flow and your ability to think clearly and to be creative. Clear the deck! Begin small by setting a goal (and a timer!) for 30 minutes of clearing and cleaning. As you clear the clutter, allow yourself to feel good and let that good feeling motivate you go for another 30 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how much you get done and how quickly getting physically de-cluttered clears the fog in your mind.
4) A subset of “clutter” is poor time management. Maybe you’re one of those people who hit the floor running and don’t stop until you drop into bed exhausted. If your schedule is so filled that even taking a quick break leaves you feeling behind, you probably need to do some time shifting.
5) When you really get serious about making significant changes in your life, chances are that you’ll need to remove yourself from toxic people who criticize, judge and share all their emotional baggage. Someone has said that you become the aggregate of the five people you hang out with the most. You’ll need to find someone (better yet, several people) who sees the best in you. Let them cheer you on, inspire, motivate and support you.
6) Finally, stop looking for cut and dried, “black and white” solutions for complex issues. I’ve spoken with people who have used this as an excuse to take no action while they search for the elusive magical silver bullet that makes everything perfect. In the meantime, it’s a great way to avoid having to really deal with the issue in any concrete manner. This solution is to realize that “perfect” is a relative term and redefine your options. Many of the “grey shades” would do just fine and go a long, long way toward getting you where you want to be.
While these are common acts of self-sabotage, they can be difficult to spot in our lives and we’re often very resistant to dealing with them. A great way to begin getting a handle on these behaviors would be to contact me for a 45 minute FREE life transformation strategy session.
In this session we will:
Click here to schedule your complimentary session!
My new Facebook site is now up! Please visit. I’d appreciate your “Like!” and if you sign up for my e-list from Facebook, I’ll send you my latest time management suggestions.
Want to use this article on your website or your own Ezine?
Thanks for appreciating the value of this content. You’re welcome to reproduce this article, but you must reproduce it in its entirety and leave all the links active. Additionally, here is the short bio that you should include:
Dr. Steve Stutz, CC is a Life Success Coach, specializing in helping clergy and professional church workers not only survive but to thrive during periods of crisis, transition, and renewal. To receive periodic personal development tips and success mindset articles, please join his e-list by visiting www.forwardpathcoaching.com
2) Poor self-care. Some of my clients treat their pets and cars better than they do themselves. We all recognize that regular maintenance is required to keep your car on the road. Likewise, proper self-care (mind, body, and spirit) is part of the scheduled maintenance that keeps your life running. Why not make one change in one area? For example: eat a piece of fruit every day (body), read a book (mind), meditate for 10 minutes (spirit).
3) Stop hoarding! Clutter creates confusion which slow energy flow and your ability to think clearly and to be creative. Clear the deck! Begin small by setting a goal (and a timer!) for 30 minutes of clearing and cleaning. As you clear the clutter, allow yourself to feel good and let that good feeling motivate you go for another 30 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how much you get done and how quickly getting physically de-cluttered clears the fog in your mind.
4) A subset of “clutter” is poor time management. Maybe you’re one of those people who hit the floor running and don’t stop until you drop into bed exhausted. If your schedule is so filled that even taking a quick break leaves you feeling behind, you probably need to do some time shifting.
5) When you really get serious about making significant changes in your life, chances are that you’ll need to remove yourself from toxic people who criticize, judge and share all their emotional baggage. Someone has said that you become the aggregate of the five people you hang out with the most. You’ll need to find someone (better yet, several people) who sees the best in you. Let them cheer you on, inspire, motivate and support you.
6) Finally, stop looking for cut and dried, “black and white” solutions for complex issues. I’ve spoken with people who have used this as an excuse to take no action while they search for the elusive magical silver bullet that makes everything perfect. In the meantime, it’s a great way to avoid having to really deal with the issue in any concrete manner. This solution is to realize that “perfect” is a relative term and redefine your options. Many of the “grey shades” would do just fine and go a long, long way toward getting you where you want to be.
While these are common acts of self-sabotage, they can be difficult to spot in our lives and we’re often very resistant to dealing with them. A great way to begin getting a handle on these behaviors would be to contact me for a 45 minute FREE life transformation strategy session.
In this session we will:
- Uncover hidden challenges that may be the cause of chaos, stress and discord in your life.
- Create a crystal clear vision for your “ultimate life” of tremendous success on your terms with ample quality time and energy for all your priorities.
- Leave the session renewed, re-energized, and inspired to transform your life and accomplish all of the things that are really important to you.
Click here to schedule your complimentary session!
My new Facebook site is now up! Please visit. I’d appreciate your “Like!” and if you sign up for my e-list from Facebook, I’ll send you my latest time management suggestions.
Want to use this article on your website or your own Ezine?
Thanks for appreciating the value of this content. You’re welcome to reproduce this article, but you must reproduce it in its entirety and leave all the links active. Additionally, here is the short bio that you should include:
Dr. Steve Stutz, CC is a Life Success Coach, specializing in helping clergy and professional church workers not only survive but to thrive during periods of crisis, transition, and renewal. To receive periodic personal development tips and success mindset articles, please join his e-list by visiting www.forwardpathcoaching.com
Copyright: atic12 / 123RF Stock Photo
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