Wrecking balls......qc prompt #76

Pleasant greetings everyone and happy new week!

Life has been programmed to be forward moving, hence the reason for time. Time is an invaluable resource that is non-renewable for once it is lost...it camnot be recovered.

Humans know this and thus from the word go, everyone strives to beat time by setting goals for success. No one intentionally plans to fail but I should submit that there are certain behavioural patterns that seem to make it look like one is doomed to fail.

These behavioural patterns are not innate rather they are inculcated with upbringing and environmental factors. Such patterns were picked up from dysfunctional family settings, dysfunctional environmental settings and settings that tend to devalue and demean an individual. Settings were it is believed that " good things can never come out of".

_{photo by Nathan Cowley}

What is self sabotage

Self-sabotage refers to behaviour patterns that holds one back and prevents one from accomplishing their goals.

** Self-sabotage are actions or inactions that undermines a person's progress, causing a hindrance to their own success**.

From the above definitions, I can pin point the fact that no hereditary factor is involved rather it's all based on picked up patterns as one grows up or form certain associations. For instance, a student who misses classes, misses tests an barely copies their notes whenever they're in class is preparing the way for self-sabotage during examination assessment period.

Subsequently, a worker who is a chronic late comer or repeatedly forgets the deadline submission for his projects, might end up being sacked because of his behavior....this is self-sabotage....... no voodoo or dark magic here.

I used to know someone, a bachelor who always complained of not having money everytime. He works as a construction worker in building houses for a daily wage of three thousand naira daily wage. Once he gets his wages, he would take out two thousand five hundred naira to gamble leaving him with only five hundred naira to feed for the night till the next working day. This is how he lived his life for years, he had no savings and no investments, which kept him in a mediocre state for a long time until he left my neighbourhood. I don't know his current state but he was on a path of self - sabotage when I knew him.

_{photo by Inzmam Khan}

Personally, I am a very goal oriented person. I think that it is a major strength of a melancholic. I can't say that I have self sabotaged or acted in ways that hinders my own success or progress but my candid advice to anyone who acts in ways that self destructs their progress is that...

• They should find the root cause eg low self-esteem or dysfunctional family and childhood.

• Doubt your fears

• Prepare way ahead for any project or presentation.

• Stop procastination and learn self discipline.

I believe gradually following these tips and having a right mindset would cause a tremendous change.

Thank you all for reading.