Nouva Daze

Not too long ago, I realized something important. The biggest roadblocks in my life weren’t other people, the economy, or lack of opportunities. It was me. My own patterns were quietly holding me back. I often second guessed and overwhelmed myself with negative thoughts that it enabled me to delay too much. These habits kept me from the success I wanted.

Here are the most powerful lessons I’ve learned about undoing self-sabotage:

Perfectionism vs. Progress

For years I thought I was being “careful” with my work, but really I was hiding behind perfectionism. I’d tweak, edit, and delay, telling myself I was making it better. The truth? Nothing was being shared or finished.

What changed: I started releasing things at 80% done. Not sloppy, but not over-polished. I realized done really is better than perfect because you can always refine once it’s out in the world.

Procrastination Disguised as “Busy”

I used to fill my days with low-value tasks: checking emails, reorganizing files, researching options. It all looked like productivity, but I knew deep down I was avoiding the harder, scarier work.

What changed: I started using short focus sprints. Investing little time in my work daily. That tiny window was enough to get me started, and once I started, the resistance lost its power.

People-Pleasing and Boundaries

Another trap: saying yes too much. I’d discount my work, or let someone else’s urgency take priority over my own. It felt “nice” in the moment, but it distracted me from my work.

What changed: I wrote boundary scripts. Simple phrases like, “I’d love to help but this is the times I’m available.” Having the words ready made it easier. It helped protect my time and energy without guilt.

Fear and Negative Self-Talk

The harshest critic wasn’t outside, it was in my own head. I’d tell myself stories like, “You’re not ready,” or “You’re falling behind.” Those thoughts drained my motivation before I even started.

What changed: I challenged the thoughts. Whenever one popped up, I asked: What evidence do I have for this? What evidence do I have against it? Nine times out of ten, the evidence proved I was doing better than I believed.

Alignment Over Hustle

The final shift came when I looked at my goals and asked: Do they actually match my values? Some didn’t. I was chasing them out of pressure or comparison, not genuine wish. No wonder motivation was fading.

What changed: I narrowed my focus to goals that lined up with what I value most. These are creativity, freedom, and impact. Once aligned, the work didn’t feel like a grind. It felt like growth.

The Takeaway

Self-sabotage doesn’t always look like destruction. Sometimes it’s perfectionism, procrastination, or simply forgetting to guard your own energy. The fix isn’t dramatic. It involves small, intentional shifts. These include releasing work sooner, focusing in short bursts, setting boundaries, reframing thoughts, and staying aligned with your values.

The truth is, success requires getting out of your own way.

Have you ever caught yourself sabotaging your own progress? What pattern feels the hardest for you to break?

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