Overcoming Entrepreneurial Self-Sabotage: Reflect, Restart, and Build Momentum
- Built on YES
- Dec 11, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 14, 2024
Stop Self-Sabotaging, In Just 5 Minutes
Let’s talk about something we all know too well: ourselves. You know, that inner saboteur who pecks away at our momentum like a rogue “superchicken.” If you’re wondering what chickens have to do with business (or mindfulness), stick with me—it’ll all make sense soon.
This week’s “Mindfulness in Minutes” is about recognizing and overcoming self-sabotage. We’re reflecting, restarting, and kicking those bad habits to the curb.
Chickens, Productivity, and Sabotage
I recently rewatched Margaret Heffernan’s TEDtalk about a study on chickens (yes, actual chickens) by William Muir. The gist? When grouped together, “superchickens”—high performers—ended up fighting until only three survived. Meanwhile, the average chickens thrived, working together and increasing productivity.
The takeaway? Overemphasizing competition (even with yourself) can lead to burnout and chaos. Success comes from balance, collaboration, and self-compassion.
What Is Self-Sabotage?
Self-sabotage is anything you do—or don’t do—that blocks your own success. It’s the sneaky behavior or mindset that keeps you spinning your wheels instead of moving forward.
Common drivers of self-sabotage include:
Fear of Success: Worrying you can’t maintain it.
Low Self-Esteem: Feeling like you don’t deserve it.
Avoidance of Failure: Playing it safe to avoid risks.
Fear of the Unknown: Not wanting to step into new territory.
Lack of Purpose: Feeling disconnected from your goals.
How Entrepreneurs Self-Sabotage
As women in business, we’ve all been there. Here are a few common ways self-sabotage sneaks into our lives:
Catastrophizing: Assuming the worst-case scenario every time.
Busy Work Overload: Focusing on small, low-impact tasks instead of high-value ones.
Overcommitment: Saying “yes” to everything and burning out.
Comparison and Self-Judgment: Judging yourself against other entrepreneurs (or those perfect Instagram moms).
Working Non-Stop: Ignoring boundaries and losing the joy in your work.
Procrastination: You know this one.
Ready to discover your inner saboteur? Take the quiz now!
Reality Inventory: A 5-Minute Mindfulness Practice
It’s time for a little reality check. This week, take five minutes to reflect on your habits. Ask yourself:
Do I delay tasks, even when I know they’re urgent?
Am I overcommitted or constantly saying “yes”?
Do I compare myself to others regularly?
When things go wrong, who do I blame?
Am I clear on my future goals?
The goal here isn’t to fix everything overnight. You don’t need to climb a mountain of self-improvement today. The first step is awareness—seeing your patterns clearly so you can start making small shifts.
Reflect, Restart, and Thrive
Self-sabotage doesn’t have to run the show. By acknowledging your habits and replacing them with mindful actions, you can build momentum without burning out.
As we wrap up this year and look toward the next, commit to letting go of perfection and embracing progress. You’re not in competition with anyone—not even yourself. Take it one step at a time, and remember, you’re courageous, capable, and strong—always.
Now go out there and peck the f*ck out of self-sabotage before it gets you first! 🐔
This post is part of the "Mindfulness in Minutes" series on Built on YES, where we help female founders and women in business embrace clarity, resilience, and growth—one mindful moment at a time.
To read a more in-depth version of this blog, check out Erin's Substack.