self-sabotage
Your own worst enemy
Self-sabotage is behavior that undermines your own goals or well-being.
The term implies unconscious motivation—you don't set out to fail, but some part of you creates obstacles: procrastinating on important work, picking fights before job interviews, or undermining relationships that are going well.
I finally recognized my drinking as self-sabotage.
The verb is to self-sabotage.
Habitual task avoidance
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- underminingWeakening by covert means
- perfectionismCompulsive pursuit of flawlessness
- denialRefusal to accept reality
neglect · resistance · inaction · excuses · impulsivity · recklessness · distraction · noncommitment
Emotional response to threat
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- inadequacyState of being insufficient
- unworthinessLack of merit
shame · guilt · catastrophizing · overthinking · imposter syndrome · learned helplessness · inner critic · defense mechanism
Blocked airway condition
- yipsAthletic motor skill collapse
- twistiesCoiled corn snacks
- second-guessingReconsidering a decision made
- freezingExtremely cold
nerves · stage fright · mental block · performance anxiety · overthinking · hesitation · pressure · panic
Something blocking the way
- blockSolid mass, or impede
- limitationBound on extent
- inhibitionMental check on behavior
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
constraint · impediment · hindrance · roadblock · mental block · blind spot · comfort zone · fear of success
Lack of success
- setbackReverse in progress
- defeatVictory over another
- downfallSudden loss of power
- missed opportunityChance not taken
stagnation · underachievement · collapse · loss · disappointment · regret · isolation · financial ruin
procrastination
Habitual task avoidance
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- underminingWeakening by covert means
- perfectionismCompulsive pursuit of flawlessness
denial · neglect · resistance · inaction · excuses · impulsivity · recklessness · distraction · noncommitment · overcommitting
fear
Emotional response to threat
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- inadequacyState of being insufficient
unworthiness · shame · guilt · catastrophizing · overthinking · imposter syndrome · learned helplessness · inner critic · defense mechanism · unconscious
choking
Blocked airway condition
- yipsAthletic motor skill collapse
- twistiesCoiled corn snacks
- second-guessingReconsidering a decision made
freezing · nerves · stage fright · mental block · performance anxiety · overthinking · hesitation · pressure · panic · blanking
obstacle
Something blocking the way
- blockSolid mass, or impede
- limitationBound on extent
- inhibitionMental check on behavior
resistance · constraint · impediment · hindrance · roadblock · mental block · blind spot · comfort zone · fear of success · fear of failure
failure
Lack of success
missed opportunity · stagnation · underachievement · collapse · loss · disappointment · regret · isolation · financial ruin · vicious cycle
- behaviorshabit, aggressive, agitation, conduct, passive
- insecuritiesinsecurity, inadequacy, inferiority, inferiority complex, unworthiness
- personal strugglesloneliness, insecurity, anxiety, depression, inner conflict
- self-helpadvice, personal development, personal growth, life coaches, life coaching
- self-doubtinsecurity, inadequacy, unworthiness, worthlessness, inner critic
- Unconsciousid, ego, superego, repression, dreams
self-sabotageself-empowerment
Taking charge of oneself
self-care · self-help · self-actualization · self-improvement · self-promotion
self-sabotageself-efficacy
Belief in one's capabilities
self-belief · growth mindset · positive self-talk · self-confidence · thriving
self, sabotage, saboteur, sabotaged, sabotaging, saboteurs, self-harm, self-destruction, sabot