Self-Sabotage: Why You Do What You Shouldn’t, and How to Stop

We’ve all had moments where we watch ourselves make the exact wrong choice: procrastinating on an important task, picking a fight in a good relationship, or pulling back just when things are starting to go well. This is self-sabotage, and in this episode Dr. Rick and Forrest explore why we do it and how to stop.

They talk about how self-sabotage often serves as a form of psychological self-protection, and why doing well can feel like a threat to our identity, before discussing avoidance coping, the conflict between aspects of who we are, and why we stay safe rather than stepping forward. Along the way, they offer practical strategies for updating outdated internal models, working with different parts of ourselves, and building the inner resources that make real change possible.

Change Your Mind with Rick: (rickhanson.com/changing) Learn how to break old patterns and change the thoughts that keep you stuck with Rick’s six-week online course on the science of changing your mind. Learn more at RickHanson.com/changing (rickhanson.com/changing) and use coupon code BeingWell25 to receive a 25% discount.

Key Topics:

: Introduction

: What is self-sabotage, really?

: Why self-sabotage is often a form of protection

: Avoidance coping and the logic of “safe failure”

: The identity cost of doing well

: Internal conflict and the parts model

: Challenge vs. threat: how the brain evaluates risk

: Real-life examples of self-sabotage

: How to begin working with self-sabotaging parts

: Working with self-destructive parts

: Creating safer conditions for growth

: Building a feedback loop that reinforces trust

: Recap and additional take-aways

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Self-Sabotage: Why You Do What You Shouldn’t, and How to Stop

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