On Monday I hosted a TEAM17 Stream on Self-Sabotage.
We questioned why we do it, how we do it and what we can do about it.
As always, a TEAM17 Member said something which made my mind flip.
‘When things are going well, slow down and even stop for a moment. You don’t always have to be doing more.’
Wow!
That made me think.
Previously my rationale might have been if it’s going well fuel it. Fan the flame! Make it bigger and better.
But now?
I’m considering those wise words.
Yes, go for growth, but take a moment to enjoy the journey. And that can mean slowing down and maybe even stopping.
Is that a key to avoiding self-sabotage?
I’d love to know what you think. Please leave your thoughts below.
Be Brilliant!
Michael
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Great email Michael. My approach would be to always focus on the process and enjoy the journey… but don’t slow down or stop as I feel that could be an element of self sabotage. Why stop or slow down? Is that because you’ve reached the goal? I would say keep moving forward, enjoy the journey and don’t let limits stop you..
After the webinar last week something happened that changed everything for me, in terms of finishing my book. My self-sabotage has always been that when I read back through my book I want to change everything. A word here, a sentence there… and that leads to more discrepancies further on in the book. I’ve found it difficult to rewrite even beyond the first chapter. I have ocd and apparently adult adhd, so I just can’t leave stuff alone. Anyway, after the webinar I went back into my WORD documents with a new determination, and suddenly discovered the ‘read aloud’ option. I put my headphones in, pressed play, and even with the automated voice I have now finished rewriting/editing 2/3 of my book. Having the book read to me rather than physically reading the words absolutely changed everything for the better.
I feel like if you are on a roll then it’s best to let the momentum take you, you can always go back and edit your work later. People often complain of writer’s block and I know I would much rather have too much to write than nothing at all.
Thanks Michael, made me stop and think ! For me the ‘stop’ point has to be when the time is right (obviously this is be a personal choice for all of us) …….if you are on your board at the top of the wave with high expectation of a successful and exhilarating surf the last thing you want to do is deliberately allow the wave to consume you. For me the reflection point is when you are safely back on the beach reliving a brillaint outcome
Things were going very well for a large Scottish financial institution. They fanned the flame, went for more and it did not end well.
On the face of it nobody stopped/slowed down to ask if the ongoing and expanding goal was sustainable.
So yes … stop/slow down/draw breath and if the opportunity is still there … then go again !!
Stopping when things are going well is the worst thing I can do. Be it dieting, exercising or writing. I’ve not written since the Summer and all I do is get more frustrated and annoyed with myself. I’ll be doing the pop up challenge to get back in the groove!
I think that it is important to obviously “grow” and this is on many people’s goals/objectives, but I would say that the journey is just as important. To slow down or stop is not a bad thing as this can allow you to reflect and celebrate success which is key to being able to understand the journey you are on and to continue that growth!
This very much depends on what it is you’re doing. A large part of being effective is in understanding when good is good enough rather than spending time striving for perfection but relying on a success without evolving tends to lead to disaster and stopping altogether will often see you moving backwards. I do agree in taking time out to re-charge and in celebrating any ‘wins’ along the way, though.