While there can be many deterrents to achieving your goals or legacy, the biggest saboteurs are: Doubt, Fear, and Negative Talk.
Definitions:
- Doubt: Questioning your ability or the possibility of success.
- Fear: Anticipating negative outcomes that prevent action.
- Negative Talk: Criticizing yourself or others, especially with self‑talk.
Examples:
- “I doubt it will work.”
- “I doubt I can get the funding or approval.”
- “I’m afraid to talk with my boss, she is a naysayer.”
- “I’m afraid to spend the money to invest in myself. What if I need the money later?”
- “I’m a loser, a failure. Nobody likes me.”
- “She’ll never succeed; why bother?”
Several years ago, Magda wanted to launch her own consulting practice. She had the skills, the network, and even a few clients waiting. But Magda kept saying, “I doubt I can make it work. What if I fail?” Fear stopped her from investing in a website, and negative self-talk convinced her she wasn’t “good enough.” Six months later, Magda watched Dina start a similar business and succeed with the very idea Magda had shelved. Magda had allowed her “saboteurs” to win.
Can you see yourself in this story? Many can, if you’re being honest. What are your usual saboteurs when mistakes threaten failure, or things are not working out as you believe they should?
Unfortunately, it’s easy to fall into these limiting traps whether it be family, work, or pursuing personal goals. It’s why you fail to achieve what you really, really, really want in life. You’ve allowed your saboteurs to determine the outcome of your results.
The good news is that these saboteurs don’t have to define you or your results. With simple shifts in perspectives and practices, you will improve your results.
How to Turn Saboteurs into Stepping Stones for Success
To overcome these saboteurs, practice three powerful shifts:
- Reframe: Change the story. “Yes, I failed to achieve my goal last month, and that doesn’t mean I will fail this month. In fact, I just received a call from a prospective client.” Another phrase to consider while taking action, “I can do this and I do it.”
- Own: Accept responsibility and learn. Ask, “What did I learn?” Use the exercise, “What Worked? / What Didn’t Work?” to uncover insights. Identify the weakness, mistake, or failure in planning and make the positive change. Don’t blame yourself or others!
- Brag: Celebrate your wins, and the wins of your team. Completing your brags builds self‑confidence and reminds you of your competence. In the book Get Your Brag On! you’ll find several exercises to quickly turn doubt, fear, and negative talk into positives.
©Jeannette Seibly 2025 All Rights Reserved
Jeannette Seibly is a legacy-driven Talent Advisor, Leadership Results Coach, and Amazon Best-Selling Business Author. For over 33 years, she has empowered thousands of executives and business leaders to achieve sustainable success through strategic hiring, values-based coaching, and intentional leadership development. Her work blends clarity, accountability, and soulful impact—activating performance and purpose at every level.
Have you been ambushed by the three saboteurs? It’s time to talk about how to shift those saboteurs and achieve your intended results.