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Writer's pictureDr Maike Neuhaus

Get out of your own way: How to overcome self-sabotage and beat procrastination

Self-sabotage and procrastination can be major obstacles to achieving our goals and living a fulfilling life. They can hold us back and prevent us from reaching our full potential. But it's possible to overcome these challenges and get out of our own way.


Here are nine tips to help you beat self-sabotage and procrastination and achieve a flourishing life.

Get out of your own way: How to overcome self-sabotage and beat procrastination
Get out of your own way: How to overcome self-sabotage and beat procrastination

Identify the root cause

The first step in overcoming self-sabotage and procrastination is to identify the root cause. Are you avoiding tasks because you're afraid of failure or success? Do you struggle with low self-esteem or a lack of confidence? Understanding the underlying reasons for your self-sabotaging behaviours can help you develop strategies to overcome them.


Set specific, achievable goals

Setting specific, achievable goals can be a powerful tool in overcoming self-sabotage and procrastination. Rather than setting vague goals like "lose weight" or "exercise more," try setting a specific goal like "lose 10 pounds in 3 months" or "exercise for at least 30 minutes three times a week." This will make it easier to track your progress and stay motivated.


Create a plan

Once you have your goals in place, it's important to create a plan to help you achieve them. This might involve setting smaller, intermediate goals to help you reach your bigger goals, or breaking your goals down into actionable steps.


Stay focused and motivated

It can be easy to get sidetracked or lose motivation when working towards a goal. To stay focused, try setting reminders for yourself or enlisting the help of a friend or accountability partner. You can also try rewarding yourself for reaching smaller milestones along the way.


Don't be too hard on yourself

It's important to remember that making lasting change takes time and effort. If you hit a roadblock or have a setback, don't be too hard on yourself. Instead, try to learn from the experience and adjust your plan as needed.


Prioritise self-care

As you work towards your goals, it's important to take care of yourself. This might involve setting aside time for self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones. Taking care of yourself will help you feel more energized and focused as you work towards flourishing in the new year.


Find ways to overcome procrastination

If you struggle with procrastination, there are several strategies you can try to overcome it. One approach is to break tasks down into smaller, more manageable chunks. This can make them feel more manageable and less overwhelming. You can also try setting deadlines for yourself, using a timer to help you stay focused, or setting aside specific times of the day to work on tasks.


Seek support

If you're struggling with self-sabotage or procrastination, it can be helpful to seek support from friends, family, or a professional therapist. They can offer encouragement and accountability, and help you work through any underlying issues that may be contributing to your self-sabotaging behaviours.


Practice gratitude

Focusing on the things we're grateful for can help us stay motivated and positive, even when things get tough. Taking a few minutes each day to reflect on the things

Self-sabotage and procrastination can be major obstacles to achieving our goals and living a fulfilling life. But by identifying the root cause, setting specific, achievable goals, creating a plan, and seeking support when needed, we can overcome these challenges and get out of our own way.


By prioritizing self-care, staying focused and motivated, and practising gratitude, we can work towards flourishing in all areas of our lives. With a little effort and determination, we can beat self-sabotage and procrastination and create a brighter, more fulfilling future for ourselves.


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