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Self-Sabotage and Protection

Closeup hand man take one block on The tower from wooden blocks, dark tone, Risk.Have you ever been on your way to success and then fallen back into old patterns that get in your way? Some say this is self-sabotage, but we never truly sabotage ourselves. We are ultimately always trying to keep ourselves safe.

When parts of us are “sabotaging,” they are merely taking care of this need for self-protection.

The question, “What wants to be protected?” is a great one to ask yourself. It’s a self-compassionate question that will uncover the real reasons behind your setbacks.

From there, speak to that well-intentioned part of you: I know you’re trying to keep me safe, but I really want to accomplish this goal. How can we work together so there’s safety AND forward movement?

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DEBBIE LACY is the author and creator of Ready, Set, Manifest!™, a guiding paradigm for people who are ready to take a leap in their lives but haven’t yet taken a step. Debbie’s TEDxOlympia presentation, In Search of Purpose and Lunch, is a great example of her unique use of metaphors to create powerful tools for insight, action, and growth. Debbie and her husband reside outside of Seattle with their son and two dogs.