#TheSelfSabotageLife

Why do we sometimes become our own biggest obstacle? In this episode of The Authentic Life, we’re diving into the sneaky ways self-sabotage shows up—procrastination, overthinking, perfectionism, and even fear of success. We unpack how unhealed wounds, limiting beliefs, and past failures can keep us from stepping fully into our power.

But here’s the truth: You are already enough. You already have what it takes. The key is recognizing when you're getting in your own way and making the choice to move forward anyway.

Join me as we explore how to break free from self-sabotage, step into confidence, and own the life you’re meant for. Plus, I’ll share powerful affirmations to help you rewrite the story and walk boldly in your purpose.

✨ No more waiting. No more shrinking. It’s time to stop blocking your blessings.

🔗 Listen now and start living #TheAuthenticLife. 💛

Let me know if you want to add anything!

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome to The Authentic Life
• 1:05 Self-Sabotage Destroys Self-Worth
• 11:49 The Science Behind Self-Sabotage
• 21:09 Why We Self-Sabotage
• 38:32 Subconscious Self-Sabotage Patterns
• 57:35 Breaking Free from Self-Sabotage

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:02

Hi, it's your girl, keisha, and welcome to the Authentic Life. Each episode, I'll guide you on the journey to living fully, freely and unapologetically. Together. We'll dive into real stories, practical insights and steps you can take to embrace your truth and show up as your most authentic self. So guess what? I am glad that you are here with me, let's get started. Glad that you are here with me, let's get started. Hello, hello, hello, and welcome back to the Authentic Life where we talk about the real, the raw and the reflective. If you're new here, I'm Keisha, I'm your host and I'm so glad that you decided to be here with me today.

Speaker 1: 0:45

Now, if you were here for the last episode, you know we talked about hashtag the self-worth life, what it means to truly know your worth, how to stop settling and why self-worth isn't just a feeling, it's an actual practice. And if you haven't listened to that episode yet, please go back and check it out, because today's conversation is going to connect to that in a big way. Because what happens when we don't believe we're worthy? We begin to self-sabotage, and when we self-sabotage, we chip away at our self-worth, our self-esteem and even our ability to practice self-love. So let's take a second to define these three things. Self-worth, that is, this deep internal belief that you are valuable, deserving and inherently enough. It's not about what you do achieve or produce. It's about knowing that you are worthy just as you are. Self-esteem now, this is your confidence in your own abilities and how you see yourself in relation to others. Self-esteem can fluctuate based on your life circumstances, but self-worth should remain steady at all times. And then self-love this is the practice of treating yourself with kindness, respect and care. It's how you show up for yourself, the choices you make and the way you allow others to treat you. Now, here's the connection when we self-sabotage, we aren't just blocking opportunities, we are actively eroding these three things. Every time, we avoid taking action out of fear, letting imposter syndrome win or settling for less than what we deserve. We tell ourselves I am not enough. I want to get real with you all today, because self-sabotage is something that we all have battled with and it's something that I see so many people struggling with, and at times, myself, especially high achieving women, people who are stepping into new levels and folks who have been conditioned to doubt their own power. So let's break it all the way down. What does self-sabotage actually look like. Why do we do it and, most importantly, how do we stop it? Now, if you're ready to start this journey with me on the hashtag, the self-sabotage life, get your drink, get your coffee, get your tea, whatever the case may be, grab that thing and join me now. Okay, so this is where it gets a little deep.

Speaker 1: 3:12

We're going to talk about how self-sabotage destroys self-worth and self-love. Self-sabotage isn't just about missing out on opportunities. It's about how we see ourselves. It's about the stories we tell ourselves, the way we limit our own potential and the slow erosion of self-trust that happens every time we stand in our own way. Now let me put it plainly Self-sabotage it chips away at our self-worth and self-love little by little, until we no longer believe we deserve more. So how does it erode self-worth? Every time you self-sabotage, you send a message to yourself that says I'm not good enough, and over time, that message gets embedded deep into your mindset. So think about this when you constantly procrastinate on your goals, you start believing that you're incapable of success. You tell yourself that you'll start that business, you'll apply for that job, I'll make a career move Just not yet. But the more you delay, the more you reinforce the idea that you're not ready or you're not capable, and when you see other people doing the very thing that you wanted to do, you convince yourself. Do you convince yourself that, hey, they must have had something that I didn't? But the truth is, the only difference is they didn't let fear stop them from moving forward. What about this one?

Speaker 1: 4:37

When you stay in a relationship that doesn't serve you, you reinforce the idea that maybe you don't deserve better serve you. You reinforce the idea that maybe you don't deserve better. Listen, your girl has been there, staying in relationships whether they're romantic, professional or even friendships where I knew I wasn't valued, but I stayed anyway. I made excuses. Keisha, maybe you overreacting, you know you impatient, so maybe you need to be a little bit more patient. Hey, this just might be how it is, girl. You know you probably asking for too much, but look deep down. What I was really saying to myself was maybe this is all I deserve and, trust me, that's a dangerous place to be.

Speaker 1: 5:28

What about when you hold yourself back from opportunities? You begin to convince yourself that you're not worthy of success. How many times have you looked at an opportunity and thought now, that looked pretty amazing, but yeah, that's not for me, whether it's a leadership role, a speaking opportunity or even something as simple as networking with people who could elevate you. If you let self-doubt talk you out of it, you're actively reinforcing the idea that you're not worthy of that space. So what is the result of all of that? One, you begin doubting your own abilities. Two, you stop taking risks and start playing it small. Three, you begin to settle into that comfort of what's familiar, even when you know it is so unhealthy. And eventually you stop dreaming big altogether because you don't even believe in your ability to make those dreams happen. That is how self-sabotage and self-worth are directly connected.

Speaker 1: 6:34

So how does self-sabotage block self-love? Self-love is about how we treat ourselves. It's in the choices we make, the way we prioritize ourselves and how we honor our needs. But when self-sabotage creeps in, it directly contradicts the practice of self-love. Think about it. Self-love is setting boundaries. Self-sabotage is letting people walk all over you because you're afraid to enforce those boundaries. You tell yourself that being nice and accommodating is just who you are. But deep down you know you just allowing people to drain your energy because you don't want to risk losing them. That's not love. That's fear disguised as kindness.

Speaker 1: 7:16

Self-love is believing in your ability to succeed. Self-sabotage is talking yourself out of opportunities before you even try. You get invited to an event where you could network, but you decide not to go because you convince yourself no one will care what you have to say. You see a job posting and you think I'm not qualified, even when you check eight out of the ten requirements. That's self-sabotage in action.

Speaker 1: 7:41

Self-love is taking care of your body, mind and soul. Self-sabotage is neglecting your needs because you feel like you don't have time. Skipping meals, ignoring your need for rest over committing to things that don't serve you. These are all ways we sabotage ourselves, while convincing ourselves that we're just too busy. But self-love means prioritizing yourself, not just your obligations. Self-love is forgiving yourself.

Speaker 1: 8:12

Self-sabotage is holding on to past mistakes and using them as an excuse to stay stuck. Trust me, we all have made mistakes. We've all had moments where we didn't show up as our best selves. But if you're constantly replaying those failures in your head and letting them dictate your future, you're self-sabotaging. Growth requires grace, especially for yourself.

Speaker 1: 8:35

So here's a quick personal moment for me my own battle with self-sabotage and self-love. There was a time when I didn't fully show up for my own dreams. I was afraid of being seen or being judged People specifically when it comes to my business. Really, I didn't want people at my full-time job knowing what I was doing and questioning what I was doing outside of work. So I downplayed my business. I wouldn't market myself the way I should have, I didn't talk about my services and I really convinced myself that I really just needed to stay in my lane and not make any waves. But let's be real, your girl was dimming her light. I was keeping myself small because stepping into my power meant that I'd have to own it, and owning it meant that people would have opinions and people would be in my business and I don't like people in my business. But what I eventually realized was this the longer I hid, the more I reinforced the idea that my business wasn't going to be a success. The more I played it small, the more I convinced myself that hey, maybe this is not what I'm supposed to be doing. And the more I sabotaged my own visibility, the more I struggled with believing that I was going to be doing. And the more I sabotage my own visibility, the more I struggled with believing that I was going to be able to get the business, even though I had all the other stuff going on. So I was starving my own self-worth while thinking I was protecting myself.

Speaker 1: 9:57

So when I talk about self-sabotage, self-worth, self-love, I'm not just pulling these things out my head or just pulling this from research. I'm speaking from experience and I know I'm not alone in some of those things. So what's the science behind it? A study in psychological science found that people with higher self-worth are significantly more likely to take risks in their careers and relationships, while those with lower self-worth are more likely to self-sabotage out of fear or rejection or failure. Another study in the Journal of Behavior and Decision Making found that people who struggle with self-sabotage are more likely to engage in negative self-talk, which directly impacts self-esteem and decision making. And the Harvard Business Review report stated that women in particular tend to downplay their achievements and second guess themselves, leading to missed promotions and career stagnation.

Speaker 1: 10:56

The bottom line the way we think about ourselves shapes the way we show up in this world. So let me ask you this In what ways are you currently sabotaging your own success? What story are you telling yourself about what you're capable of? How would your life change if you started acting like the version of yourself who truly believed in you. Because that's the work, y'all. Self-sabotage is a habit, so is self-belief, and today you get to choose which one you're going to reinforce now. Next, we're going to talk about why we self-sabotage, because knowing the root cause is the first step in breaking the cycle. So stay with me, because this next part is going to change the way you see yourself.

Speaker 1: 11:49

Okay, now that we've broken down what self-sabotage is and how it impacts our self-worth and our self-love, let's talk about the real question why do we do this? Because nobody wakes up in the morning and says you know what, today I'm going to make my life a little bit harder. Morning and says you know what? Today I'm going to make my life a little bit harder. But that's exactly what self-sabotage does. It creates obstacles that wouldn't exist if we simply just got out of our own way. The truth is, self-sabotage is often rooted in something deeper. It's a response to fear, doubt or beliefs that we've picked up along the way, and if we don't understand the why behind it, we just keep repeating the same patterns over and over. So let's break down some of the reasons we sabotage ourselves, and I'm going to do this by providing some personal examples.

Speaker 1: 12:36

So the first is not always fear of failure or success. Sometimes it's the chase itself. A lot of conversations about self-sabotage focus on fear of failure or fear of success, and for many people that's a real thing. But for me, that's never my, that has never really been my problem. When it comes to work specifically, I don't run from success or failure. I actually chase it. I thrive in it. I thrive in the challenges, I take on ambitious projects and ambitious things and I push myself to be excellent.

Speaker 1: 13:10

But here's where my self-sabotage shows up. I have conditioned myself to believe that I always needed to be pushing towards something, that if I wasn't chasing, striving or proving myself, then I really wasn't doing enough. And in the moments where things were like settled, good, stable, where I could have leaned into some stability, where I could have sat back and just truly enjoyed the fruits of my labor, I would immediately start looking for the next challenge, the next battle, the next level. This wasn't about fear. It was about not knowing how to just be, how to just exist. I had equated my work with productivity, with striving, with always having a goal in front of me, and the moment things felt too steady, too easy. I'd shake things up, subconsciously, creating obstacles that would force me back into the chase.

Speaker 1: 14:08

The lesson sometimes self-sabotage isn't about fear. It's about not knowing what to do when you're not struggling. What happens when you don't have to prove yourself anymore? Do you let yourself enjoy it or do you create a new hurdle to jump over it? Number two imposter syndrome. The need for more before feeling qualified. If self-sabotage had a best friend, it would be imposter syndrome, that little voice in your head that whispers. Who do you think you are?

Speaker 1: 14:41

But here's the thing I never doubted my own abilities. I know exactly what I'm capable of and when it came to starting my business, I knew I was capable of doing the things that I wanted to do. I knew I had the expertise, the knowledge and the skill set to make the type of impact that I really wanted to make. But would everyone else see that In the very, very, very early days of my business, I convinced myself that I needed to be a paper chaser. And if you know me and you heard me talk about this I don't mean dollars and cents. What I mean is that I needed more credentials, more certifications, more degrees, more external validation that I could really put myself out there, because I kept thinking, well, if I just get this one more certification, then people would really take me seriously, or if I just complete this one program, then I'll really be ready to stand alongside these other experts that do the same thing I do, or if I go get that doctorate degree, that'll give me some more oomph, right, and not to knock a doctorate, let me be clear. But that was what was in my head Meanwhile.

Speaker 1: 15:58

Minus all of that, I was already fully capable to do the things that I wanted to do, but instead of moving forward boldly, I spent time collecting proof that I was enough to do what I already knew that I could do, even though I had already done the work, even though people called on me to do the work all the time. And what did that do? All it did was slow me down. It kept me from taking up the space that I needed to take up space when I knew I was more than ready for it. And then the thing that really, really hurts is it delayed the impact that I could have had sooner on the lives of the people that I've touched, because if you know me, you know I like to pour into people. So if I delay my gift, then I'm delaying the impact that I can have on somebody else's life. So the truth is I don't need one more certification to be qualified. I didn't need one more degree to prove my expertise. I did not need to wait until everything was perfect before stepping forward. But that's what imposter syndrome does. That's the imposter syndrome topic, not the reality of what's going on. And the more I delayed, the more I was self-sabotaging, right by convincing myself I wasn't already the person that I needed to be to do the things that I wanted to do.

Speaker 1: 17:17

The lesson here stop waiting for someone to hand you permission. Stop thinking you need more proof before you can own your expertise. If you know what you're doing, move like it. Number three holding on too long, the fear of letting go. You know that. Learn, grow, go. Whoo your girl, your girl, struggle. Then let go. Part that gift of goodbye, part.

Speaker 1: 17:42

For some people, self-sabotage looks like, hey, I'm gonna run away from this thing, or run too soon, I'm gonna cut this off before they even have a chance to do something. Or you have a chance to grow, or you're avoiding deep connections with people, or you're pulling away at the moment that things get uncomfortable. But for your girl, keisha, my sabotage shows up in the opposite way. I didn't push. I don't push nobody away. Now, when I do push you away, you gone forever, but it take me a good little minute to get to that place.

Speaker 1: 18:13

You see, I've stayed in situations where, deep down, your girl knew she had outgrown those places or she just didn't need to be there. I've held on to relationships, friendships and even professional opportunities way past their expiration date. And why? Because I just didn't want to walk away. I didn't want to feel like I had given up on someone or something. I didn't want to be the one who said this isn't working for me anymore. So instead I would stay, I would make excuses, I would extend myself, I would overextend myself to fix things that weren't mine to fix, and in doing so I was sabotaging my own peace, my own time, my own happiness and my own ability to step into spaces that were actually aligned with who I was.

Speaker 1: 19:00

So how this shows up in self-sabotage Staying in jobs that no longer serve you out of loyalty or obligation, holding on to friendships that have become one-sided, draining or toxic, giving people one more chance, but it's over and over, even when they keep showing you who they are. And here's the harsh truth Sometimes self-sabotage is knowing you need to let go but choosing to hold on anyway. I had a professional relationship that I knew wasn't working. It was draining, it was frustrating. I knew. I knew it was time to step away, but I kept finding reasons to stay, maybe to get better, maybe I just need to adjust my expectations a little bit. Maybe a girl being a little bit critical because she can be critical. But the thing was I wasn't being too critical. I was avoiding the reality that I had outgrown the situation. And the longer I stayed, the more I was sabotaging myself by choosing comfort over clarity. And that's the thing.

Speaker 1: 20:03

Sometimes the biggest act of self-care is being honest with yourself about when something no longer fits. So the lesson is letting go is not quitting, it's choosing yourself. Walking away isn't failure, it's alignment. The longer you stay in the wrong place, the longer you delay the right one. So, before we move on to the next segment, I want you to take a moment to reflect. Are you always to the next segment? I want you to take a moment to reflect. Are you always chasing the next challenge instead of letting yourself enjoy what you've already built? Are you delaying action because you think you need more to be qualified? Are you holding on to something or someone that, deep down, you know you should have let go a long time ago? Because here's the truth Awareness is the first step to breaking the cycle.

Speaker 1: 20:52

So in the next segment we're going to talk about how to break free from self-sabotage, because once you recognize it, the next step is doing something about it, and I promise you it's possible. So we've talked about the obvious ways we self-sabotage, the patterns we can recognize, the decisions we make and the way we hold ourselves back. But what if I told you that some of the biggest acts of self-sabotage happen without you even realizing it? What if some of the ways you keep yourself stuck aren't things you consciously choose, but things that were programmed into you a long time ago? So enter your subconscious mind.

Speaker 1: 21:27

Your subconscious mind is like a hard drive, storing all the beliefs, experiences and messages you've picked up over time. And unlike your conscious mind, which is logical and rational, your subconscious operates on autopilot. It doesn't question whether a belief is true or false, it just follows the program and it has received. It doesn't care if the thought is helpful or harmful. It just reinforces what it has learned. This means that a lot of your self-sabotage isn't happening because you want to ruin opportunities. It's happening because your subconscious is running an old script that tells you to play small, stay safe or avoid change.

Speaker 1: 22:12

So how does your subconscious control your behavior? Think about this have you ever felt like every time you start to make progress, something happens that knocks you back? Have you ever found yourself procrastinating for no logical reason, even when you know you need to take action? Have you ever had a gut reaction of discomfort when something good happens to you, like it feels too good to be true? That's not just random. That's your subconscious programming in action. Your brain is designed to keep you safe, and safe doesn't always mean happy. Sometimes it just means familiar.

Speaker 1: 22:52

So let's break this down with a few real life examples. So the first one is the financial glass ceiling, money, mindset and self-sabotage. So let's talk about money for a second, because this is one of the biggest places where subconscious self-sabotage shows up. If you grew up in an environment where money was always tight and struggle was the norm, you heard things like people like us don't make that kind of money. You saw family members work hard but never truly get ahead, then deep in your subconscious, you might have associated financial success with struggle or believe that wealth wasn't meant for you. So what happens? You start making more money in your business and suddenly you start overspending, undercharging or avoid looking at your finances altogether. You get a raise at work, but you immediately feel guilty, like you don't deserve it. Most of us don't feel that way, no matter where we came from. You want financial abundance, but every time you get close to a breakthrough, you subconsciously find a way to bring yourself back to what feels normal. This is why some lottery winners end up broke within a few years, because their mindset was never conditioned for wealth. They had money, but their subconscious identity never shifted to align with it. The subconscious lesson here is if you were taught that struggle equals normal, then success equals uncomfortable.

Speaker 1: 24:18

Second example is the fear of being seen, visibility and self-sabotage. Another way your subconscious holds you back is the fear of being seen. If you grew up in an environment where you were criticized or judged for speaking up, you were taught to be humble and not brag about your accomplishments. You had experiences where being in the spotlight led to a negative attention, then your subconscious may have learned that visibility equals danger. So what happens? You hesitate to market your business or share your wins online. You turn down leadership opportunities, even when you're qualified. You avoid putting yourself out there because some part of you believes that being too seen might lead to criticism or rejection. The subconscious lesson here is, if you were conditioned to believe that visibility equals risk, you would subconsciously keep yourself hidden, small and overlooked.

Speaker 1: 25:12

Third example relationship patterns. Why we stay too long or push people away. Remember I said this is my problem. Let's get real about relationships for a second, because self-sabotage doesn't show up in career, only in careers, and money shows up in love too. So if you grew up in an environment where love was inconsistent, sometimes present, sometimes withdrawn, you saw people stay in relationships that weren't healthy because they didn't believe they could do better. You were taught that leaving is selfish or that you should always try harder. Then your subconscious may have learned that staying, even when it's not good for you, is the right thing to do. So what happens? You stay in relationships that long after you've outgrown them. You make excuses for people's bad behavior, you feel guilty at the thought of walking away, even when it's what's best for you, and this is something, like I said.

Speaker 1: 26:05

This is something I personally work through. I don't run from relationships. I don't cut people off too soon. My self-sabotage showed up in the opposite way. I hold on too long. I've convinced myself that letting go was quitting, that if I just tried a little harder I could fix things. But what I had to realize was that staying in something that no longer served me isn't loyalty, it's self-sabotage. One of my real good friends told me one time that, keisha, your greatest strength is your loyalty to the people that you love, but it's also your greatest weakness, and you know. The more I sit and reflect on that, you know they a point. So the subconscious lesson here is if you were taught that love requires sacrifice, you might subconsciously hold on to things that are draining instead of fulfilling.

Speaker 1: 26:53

So how do you recognize subconscious self-sabotage? How do you know when your subconscious is running the show? Your body reacts before your mind? Does you feel an immediate sense of discomfort when something good happens? You get anxious about taking a big step forward, or your gut reaction is to find a reason to delay or avoid change? You keep repeating the same cycle. Even when you know better. You keep undercharging for your services, even though, logically, you know your worth. You keep attracting the same types of relationships, even though you swore you'd never go through that again. You keep holding back in your career, even though you know you're more than qualified to do the things. You feel resistance. When it's time to level up. You say you won't change, but when the opportunity comes you hesitate. You find yourself procrastinating, overanaly analyzing or looking for reasons to wait. So now that we understand how deep self-sabotage can run, the next step is breaking free.

Speaker 1: 27:56

In the next segment, we're going to talk about how to stop self-sabotaging in real time and rewire your subconscious mind for success. Because here's the truth you don't have to be a victim of your old programming. You can rewire your mind for something better. So stay with me, because this next part is going to change the way you show up in your life. Okay, so now that we've uncovered why self-sabotage happens, both consciously and subconsciously, let's get into the real work breaking the cycle. Because here's the truth Recognizing self-sabotage isn't enough. You can know your patterns inside and out, but if you don't actively work to change them, you'll stay stuck in the same loops. So let's talk about real, practical ways to move forward, ways you can start taking action today to stop sabotaging yourself and step into the life you're actually meant to live.

Speaker 1: 28:48

First, catch yourself in the act. Self-sabotage thrives in the shadows. The moment you bring awareness to it, you weaken its power. How many times have you convinced yourself that you were being realistic when really you were just afraid? How many times have you delayed something you knew you needed to do, telling yourself I just need more time, when deep down, you were just avoiding the discomfort of stepping up? So here are practical steps to catch it.

Speaker 1: 29:16

Pause and ask yourself am I protecting myself or am I preventing myself? Protection looks like healthy boundaries, informed decision making and self-care. Prevention looks like hesitation, avoidance and the excuses that keep you stuck. Audit your habits. Do you delay taking action on big opportunities? Do you talk yourself out of things you want, or do you keep yourself? Or do you keep telling yourself you're not ready, even when you know you are? Keep a self-sabotage journal Every time you catch yourself procrastinating, making excuses or overthinking. Write it down. Track the pattern. If you see it happening again and again, it's time to disrupt the cycle.

Speaker 1: 29:58

The first step to changing your behavior is seeing it in real time. If you can name it, you can stop it. The second one is reframe the fear. Fear isn't always a bad thing. The problem is we often let fear paralyze us instead of using it as fuel. And the way to stop self-sabotage is to shift the way you interpret fear in the first place. So reframing fear in your mindset. Instead of what if I fail, ask yourself what if I succeed Instead of I'm scared to to be seen. Shift to I'm ready to be recognized instead of what if I'm not ready. Tell yourself I am learning as I go.

Speaker 1: 30:37

For the longest time, I was hesitant again to market my business boldly. I knew I had the knowledge and the experience, but I convinced myself that, hey, I needed to do all the things right. I needed the one more certification, the one more certificate, all the things, and deep down. I wasn't afraid of failing. I was just afraid of people questioning whether or not I was qualified to be in a room in the back of my head. But one day I just had to stop and ask myself Keisha, do you believe that you're qualified? And I did so. Why was I waiting for validation? Why was I assuming other people needed more proof than what I already knew to be true. That's when I flipped the question. Instead of asking what if people don't see my value, I started saying what if they do? What if I show up fully and the right people recognize exactly what I bring to the table? And several years later, that's what happened.

Speaker 1: 31:35

So how do you reframe your fear? You write down your biggest what if fear Like for me, what if I fail in my business? Flip it into a success-driven way of statement, what if my business takes off and changes my life? And then say that out loud daily. The more you affirm success instead of fear, the more your subconscious begins to believe it.

Speaker 1: 32:03

Number three start small and take imperfect action. Self-sabotage loves perfectionism. It convinces you that you have to have everything in order before you can start, that you need more degrees, more training, more preparation. But let me tell you something you will never feel 100% ready and if you wait for that feeling, you'll wait forever. The key to breaking self-sabotage is starting now Starting messy, imperfect and uncomfortable. So how do you start taking action today? Commit to one small move towards your goal.

Speaker 1: 32:37

If you're holding back on launching something, post about it today. If you've been avoiding a conversation, you need to have. Schedule it today If you've been procrastinating on applying for a new job or doing a project. On applying for a new job or doing a project, submit one application today or kick off the project. Set a five-minute rule. If something feels overwhelming, commit to just five minutes of action, five minutes of writing, five minutes of brainstorming, five minutes of organizing. Most of the time, once you start, you'll keep going.

Speaker 1: 33:09

Let go of the idea that everything has to be perfect. Action beats perfection every time. Nobody is looking for perfection. They're looking for consistency, authenticity and effort. When I first started my business, I thought everything needed to be perfect. I needed the perfect website, the perfect branding, the perfect testimonials before I could really start putting myself out there. But you know what changed everything? The first client, the first person who said yes, I want to work with you. And guess what? They didn't ask for a website. They didn't ask for a long list of credentials. They hired me because of who I was and the value that they knew I could bring. That moment taught me that sometimes you don't have to have everything figured out, you just need to start.

Speaker 1: 33:54

Number four build self-trust by keeping small promises to yourself. Self-sabotage is often a reflection of a deeper issue a lack of trust in yourself. If you don't trust yourself to follow through, you'll hesitate to start. If you don't trust yourself to handle success, you'll subconsciously resist it. If you don't trust yourself to handle success, you'll subconsciously resist it. If you don't trust yourself to make good decisions, you'll stay stuck in cycles of overthinking the way to fix this. Start keeping small promises to yourself. So how do you build trust in 30 days? Pick one small habit that aligns with your goals Daily journaling, 10-minute morning routine, sending networking email, one email per week, whatever the case may be, stick to it no matter what, not because of the habit itself, but because it teaches you to trust yourself and then celebrate every small win. The more you follow through, the more confident you become. So what's one way you'll stop sabotaging today, or self-sabotaging today?

Speaker 1: 34:52

Before we wrap up, I want you to think about one thing what is one way you've been standing in your own way? What's one action step you can take today to move past it? Because here's the truth you don't break self-sabotage by waiting. You break it by taking one step forward at a time. All right, we are at a close, we are ending, and guess what we are not carrying self-sabotage into the rest of 2025. We're done letting old fears, outdated beliefs and subconscious patterns keep us small. We are stepping fully into our power, into our worth, into the life we are meant to live. We are not waiting. So no more waiting, no more second guessing, no more playing. It's small.

Speaker 1: 35:37

This isn't about a one time shift. This is about a lifelong commitment to choosing yourself. Choosing to believe in your skills, your values and your ability to handle whatever comes your way. Choosing to trust that you are ready, even if it feels uncomfortable. Choosing to trust that you are ready even if it feels uncomfortable. Choosing to stop overthinking and start taking action. Choosing to release what no longer serves you so you can make room for what does so.

Speaker 1: 36:00

Here's what I want you to take from today's episode. Self-sabotage is sneaky. It disguises itself as logic, protection or perfectionism, but in reality, it's just fear in another outfit. Two, your subconscious mind plays a major role. If you don't reprogram the old stories you've been telling yourself, you'll keep repeating the same cycles, even when you know better.

Speaker 1: 36:25

Breaking the cycle starts with small, intentional action. You don't have to overhaul your entire life overnight. You just need to start. Lastly, you do not need more permission, more degrees or more validation. You are already qualified. You are already enough, so act like it.

Speaker 1: 36:45

Now I want you to declare this out loud with me I am worthy of the life I desire. I refuse to stand in my own way. I trust myself, I believe in myself and I am taking action. Now let's hold each other accountable. Dm me, comment on my social media pages, on LinkedIn, and let me know what's one way you're choosing to break the self-sabotage cycle today, because we're not just talking about this, we're doing the work. Until next time.

Speaker 1: 37:16

Peace, love and blessings from your girl, keisha. Live your life authentic, live it unapologetically. Well, folks, the episode has come to an end. Thank you for hanging out with me on the Authentic Life. If you loved today's episode, don't forget to subscribe, because subscribing it's just like an instant invite to more fun, to more inspiration and to more authentic vibes. I could also use a review, so leave a review or share this with someone that you feel needs a little inspiration. But whatever you do, let's spread the joy of the Authentic Life. Remember this your authentic self is your greatest gift to the world, and no one should ever make you feel like you aren't. Until next time, stay true, stay bold and keep living the authentic life Peace, love and blessings from your girl, keisha.