Here Are 7 Signs You’re Sabotaging Your Personal Growth

Ever felt like you’re putting in a lot of effort but still not making progress in life? Working hard and not seeing results can be frustrating, especially when it feels like everyone else is moving ahead. The truth is, that many of us unknowingly sabotage ourselves and our personal growth efforts. We do this through various ways including procrastination, self-doubt, and unhealthy habits. These patterns keep us stuck in the same place year after year, limiting the progress and satisfaction we can get per time.

While their impact can hinder us in many ways, they can be fixed. Once you identify these self-sabotaging behaviours, you can take steps to fix them and start growing. In this post, I will share seven signs that could be holding you back and what you can do to arrest them.

1. You Procrastinate on Important Tasks

Procrastination is one of the biggest barriers to personal growth and probably commonly affects people. It is simply delaying tasks that you could have completed immediately, especially those that align with your long-term goals. Procrastination can keep you stuck in a cycle of mediocrity.

According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, 94% of respondents admitted that procrastination negatively affected their productivity.

So, how can you overcome procrastination?

Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps. For instance, if your goal is to start a side hustle this year, you can commit to spending just 30 minutes daily researching or planning. Use tools like Google Calendar to help you stay on track.

2. You Fear Taking Risks

“The biggest risk is not taking any risk.”

Mark Zuckerberg 

It is a well-known fact that life in itself is risky. If you always play it safe, you’ll struggle to achieve your goals and reach your full potential. Growth will always require you to step out of your comfort zone. You are probably hesitating to explore new career opportunities or businesses because of fear of failure or societal judgment.

 

fear

If you are battling with the fear of taking risks, you need to work on shifting your mindset about failure. Instead of seeing it as the end, view it as a lesson. You can start by taking small, manageable risks like applying for that job you’ve been fearing applying for, pitching your idea, or trying a new skill. As you get started with the little ones, you will find out that you will gradually build confidence to attempt the bigger risks.

3. You Compare Yourself to Others

A popular bible verse says “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (2 Corinthians 10:12)

Constantly measuring your progress against others can make you feel inadequate and unmotivated. This is not even helped with the rise of social media where it is quite tempting to spend hours comparing your life to what you see online. This comparison culture or social comparison can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem.

According to a publication by the Jed Foundation, individuals of all ages can experience the impact of social comparison on social media. However, the adverse impact amongst adolescents (ages 13 to 18) and young adults (ages 19 to 24) is high. This high level of vulnerability amongst these age groups stems primarily from the influence of social media on identity formation. Our identities are shaped by the desire to cultivate a unique persona that distinguishes us, while simultaneously conforming to the expectations of social groups to foster a sense of belonging.

These two desires are catered to by social media. The profiles we curate consist of the elements of our identity that we value most and wish to showcase, while the responses we receive in the form of likes, friendships, and interactions satisfy our innate need for acceptance and community.

So what can you do?

Focus on your journey. Practice gratitude for what you’ve achieved so far and set realistic goals that align with your values, not societal expectations.

4. You Don’t Prioritize Learning

Continuous learning is an important requirement for growth. Interestingly, many of us stop learning as soon as we graduate from school. If this is you, you are sabotaging yourself without knowing. A significant number of professionals don’t engage in self-development courses or read books regularly due to busy schedules or lack of motivation. Continuous learning should not be a choice for you, it should be a necessity.

 

continuous learning

In today’s world and ever-evolving job market, career advancement and achievement are increasingly contingent upon an individual’s ability and willingness to acquire new knowledge and skills, especially the capacity to adapt to technological advancements. Employers are increasingly recognizing the importance of hiring candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to professional growth, ongoing education, and skill enhancement.

With the constant changes in the world of business, due to economic fluctuations, technological innovations, and shifts in consumer behaviour, the emphasis on professional growth is not just a preference for recruiters; it has become a fundamental requirement for companies aiming to thrive in today’s dynamic economic landscape.

So, embracing continuous learning not only enhances your skill set but also positions you as a valuable asset within your organization. Make learning a priority by committing to reading at least one book a month or signing up for free online courses like those on Coursera or LinkedIn Learning. You can also consider audiobooks and podcasts.

5. You Surround Yourself with Negative Influences

There are many things you may be capable of but being able to perpetually resist the influence of your network or environment isn’t one of them. Your environment and network play a critical role in your growth. If your friends or colleagues constantly discourage your dreams or feed your insecurities, they may be sabotaging your potential. Jim Rohn famously said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

Think about this and audit your current circle. You want to surround yourself with positive, ambitious people who inspire and challenge you to grow.

6. You Lack Self-Discipline

Consistency is key to personal growth, but without self-discipline, it can be challenging to follow through on your plans or routines. For instance, you may establish fitness goals but find yourself skipping workouts because they feel “too tough,” or you might intend to save money but end up making impulsive purchases instead.

lack of discipline

If this is you, you can tackle this by focusing on building routines that support your goals. For instance you want to keep fit, you can begin with small steps by waking up just 30 minutes earlier and exercising in your living room. To better stay disciplined with your finances, you can set up a budget, or use tools like PiggyVest to assist you in managing your savings.

7. You Hold on to Past Mistakes

One of my life philosophies is, “No Excuse, No Blame, No Regret.” This philosophy helps me stand positively grounded and accept responsibility for my journey. Dwelling on past failures or mistakes can paralyze you from moving forward. You probably are struggling with past mistakes, maybe due to cultural pressures or fear of being judged for your decisions. You need to let go.

The first step to letting go is self-forgiveness. Remind yourself that mistakes are part of growth. You can engage in helpful practices like journaling to help you process emotions and gain clarity. You can also seek support from mentors or a faith-based community to heal emotionally and find direction.

Concluding Thoughts

There you have them, the 7 signs that you are sabotaging your growth. If you’ve noticed any of these signs in your life, don’t be discouraged. Awareness is the first step toward change. By following the suggestions in this post, you can work on overcoming these and become the best version of yourself.

By Ifegwu-Mbonu Victor

Ifegwu-Mbonu Victor (Sir Vic) is a Personal Growth and Leadership Trainer, author and speaker. He is the Founder of the Double Edged Impact Network . He focuses on helping individuals go DEEP, that is, he helps individuals Discover, Equip, Extend and Promote themselves so they could live the lives they were created to live. He has trained and spoken to over 1,000 people so far on different topics of Personal Growth and Leadership.

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