We all have dreams and goals, but sometimes, we’re our own worst enemies. We might be unknowingly pulling the rug out from under our own feet!

Psychology suggests that there are certain behaviors and patterns that could signify self-sabotage. This is when we unwittingly do things that are counterproductive to our success.

In this article, I’m going to share 8 signs that you might be unknowingly sabotaging your own success. It’s time to spot these signs, understand them, and kick them to the curb!

So let’s dive in and empower ourselves to reach our full potential.

1) Perfectionism

We all want to do our best, but there’s a big difference between striving for excellence and demanding perfection.

Perfectionism, according to psychology, can often lead to procrastination, anxiety, and even depression. Why? Because it sets an unrealistic standard that we can never meet.

The truth is, no one is perfect and no one ever will be. But if you’re a perfectionist, you might spend so much time trying to make everything flawless that you end up not getting anything done at all.

The fear of making mistakes can paralyze you and hold you back from taking risks. And without risks, there’s no growth.

So, if you find yourself constantly seeking perfection and fearing mistakes, you might be unknowingly sabotaging your own success. Let’s be kinder to ourselves and remember that it’s okay to make mistakes – that’s how we learn and grow!

2) Self-doubt

This is a big one for me. I’ve often found myself doubting my abilities, even when I’ve had evidence to the contrary.

For instance, there was this one time when I had to deliver a big presentation at work. I had prepared thoroughly, knew my stuff inside out, and yet, I kept telling myself, “I’m not good enough. I’m going to mess this up.”

And guess what? Because of my self-doubt, I ended up stumbling through the presentation, which wasn’t nearly as effective as it could have been.

Psychology tells us that this kind of self-doubt can be a major roadblock to success. It can prevent us from taking on new opportunities or reaching our full potential.

If you continually question your worth or abilities, you might be unknowingly sabotaging your own success. Remember, confidence comes from within, and we are often more capable than we give ourselves credit for.

3) Over-planning

Believe it or not, spending too much time planning can also be a form of self-sabotage.

Psychologists have found that over-planning can actually be a way to avoid taking action. It’s a phenomenon known as “paralysis by analysis.”

People who over-plan tend to get caught up in the details and lose sight of the big picture. They might spend so much time trying to anticipate every possible outcome that they never actually get started.

While planning is important, it’s just as important to know when to stop planning and start doing. After all, the best way to predict the future is to create it. So if you find yourself stuck in the planning phase, it might be time to take a leap of faith and take action.

4) Neglecting self-care

This is a common one, but it’s often overlooked. We’re so busy chasing our goals and dreams that we forget to take care of ourselves.

Neglecting self-care might not seem like a big deal, but it can have serious consequences. Your health, both physical and mental, is the foundation of your success. If you’re constantly pushing yourself to the limit without taking time to rest and recharge, you’re setting yourself up for burnout.

And when you’re burned out, you can’t perform at your best. You’re more likely to make mistakes, miss opportunities, and even get sick.

So if you find yourself constantly running on empty, it’s time to reevaluate. Remember, self-care isn’t selfish. It’s necessary for long-term success.

5) Comparing yourself to others

In a world filled with social media highlights, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We see their success, their happiness, their seemingly perfect lives, and we can’t help but feel like we’re falling behind.

But here’s the thing: Comparison is the thief of joy. It makes us focus on what we lack instead of appreciating what we have. It breeds dissatisfaction and discontentment.

And what’s more, it distracts us from our own journey. Each of us is on a unique path, with our own set of challenges and victories. When we compare, we’re measuring our progress against someone else’s ruler.

So if you find yourself constantly comparing your life to others’, it might be time to step back. Focus on your own journey, your own growth, your own success. Remember, the only person you should strive to be better than is the person you were yesterday.

6) Fear of success

This might sound strange, but it’s something I’ve grappled with myself. The fear of success can be as paralyzing as the fear of failure.

You see, success brings change, and change can be scary. It can mean more responsibilities, more expectations, and more pressure to keep achieving. And sometimes, this can feel overwhelming.

For me, it was the fear of losing my sense of self. I worried that success would change me into someone unrecognizable, someone I didn’t want to become.

Ironically, this fear held me back from pursuing opportunities that could have led to success.

If you’re finding yourself hesitating or pulling back just when things are starting to go well, you might be dealing with a fear of success. It’s important to recognize this and remember that success doesn’t have to change who you are. It’s possible to grow and succeed while staying true to yourself.

7) Not setting clear goals

Having vague or undefined goals can be a subtle form of self-sabotage.

If you don’t know where you’re going, how can you expect to get there? Setting clear, specific, and measurable goals gives you a roadmap to success.

Without clear goals, it’s easy to drift along aimlessly, or get distracted by side paths that don’t actually lead where you want to go.

And here’s the tricky part: You might not even realize you’re sabotaging yourself. You might feel like you’re working hard, but without a clear destination in mind, your efforts might not be leading you towards success.

So if you’re feeling stuck or directionless, it might be time to sit down and clarify your goals. What do you really want to achieve? What steps do you need to take to get there? The clearer your destination, the easier it will be to chart the path to success.

8) Avoiding discomfort

Here’s the raw truth: Growth happens outside of our comfort zones.

If you’re constantly avoiding discomfort, you’re missing out on opportunities for growth and development. Discomfort means you’re stretching yourself, trying new things, taking risks.

It’s natural to want to stick to what’s comfortable and familiar. But if we always stay in our comfort zones, we can’t expect to achieve anything extraordinary.

So if you find yourself always taking the easy route, dodging challenges, or avoiding anything that feels uncomfortable, it’s time for a reality check. Success often requires stepping into the unknown and embracing discomfort. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

The power of awareness

At the heart of it all, the real game-changer is self-awareness.

Understanding these signs of self-sabotage is the first step towards breaking free from them. Once you’re aware of these behaviors, you can begin to monitor and change them.

Psychology suggests that awareness is a powerful tool in effecting change. No one is immune to self-sabotage, but by acknowledging it, you can begin to minimize its impact.

This journey of self-discovery isn’t always easy. It requires courage and honesty. But it’s a journey worth undertaking.

You owe it to yourself to reach your full potential, to experience success, and to live a life that reflects your true aspirations. And remember, progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about being better than yesterday.

So take some time to reflect on these signs. Are there any that resonate with you? Any that you’ve been unknowingly harboring?

It’s never too late to break the cycle of self-sabotage and chart a new course towards success. Your future self will thank you for it.