Have you ever felt like you’re getting in your own way—procrastinating, overthinking, or doubting yourself just when you need to take action? You’re not alone. We all have hidden mental patterns that hold us back, even when we have the best intentions. These patterns are known as Saboteurs—automatic, subconscious ways of thinking and behaving that were originally formed to protect us but now limit our success, happiness, and well-being.
The good news? You can change the script.
What Are Saboteurs?
Saboteurs are deeply ingrained mental habits that originate in childhood as coping mechanisms but become counterproductive in adulthood. They often disguise themselves as helpful voices—urging us to be perfect, to stay safe, or to keep others happy—but in reality, they create stress, self-doubt, and burnout.
Here’s what you need to know about your Saboteurs:
✅ They are rooted in fear and self-protection but often become limiting.
✅ They overuse certain strengths, making them counterproductive.
✅ They sound like your inner critic, but they are not your true self.
✅ They reside in the left hemisphere of your brain, where analytical and fear-based thinking dominate.
✅ They keep you from experiencing true fulfillment, success, and peace.
Which Saboteurs Are Running the Show?
Do any of these sound familiar?
🔹 Avoider – Procrastinates or avoids difficult conversations and tasks.
🔹 Hyper-Achiever – Ties self-worth to constant performance and success.
🔹 Hyper-Rational – Overanalyzes everything, prioritizing logic over emotions.
🔹 Pleaser – Seeks approval by prioritizing others’ needs over their own.
🔹 Victim – Uses suffering or emotional turmoil to gain attention or connection.
🔹 Stickler – Obsessed with perfection, order, and control.
🔹 Hyper-Vigilant – Constantly anxious about what could go wrong.
🔹 Controller – Needs to be in charge to feel safe and secure.
🔹 Restless – Always searching for the next exciting thing, struggles with stillness.
How to Stop Self-Sabotage and Reconnect with Your Inner Wisdom
The opposite of your Saboteurs is your Sage—the calm, intuitive, and wise part of you. Your Sage resides in the right hemisphere of your brain, where creativity, emotional intelligence, and big-picture thinking thrive.
Here’s how you can shift from Saboteur mode to Sage mode:
🌿 Recognize your Saboteurs – Awareness is the first step to change.
🌿 Practice mindfulness and presence – This helps quiet the negative chatter.
🌿 Engage in mental fitness exercises – Strengthen your ability to shift perspectives.
🌿 Challenge limiting beliefs – Question whether your inner critic is truly helping you.
🌿 Take intentional action – Choose responses aligned with your true values, not fear.
Want to Identify Your Saboteurs?
🎯 Take the free Saboteur assessment [insert link] to uncover which patterns are holding you back.
📞 Schedule a free discovery call with me to learn how to quiet your Saboteurs and strengthen your Sage.
You don’t have to stay stuck in old patterns. With the right tools and support, you can shift from self-sabotage to self-mastery—living with greater confidence, purpose, and ease.
Which Saboteur do you recognize in yourself? Drop a comment below! 👇
Erin Baldecchi Positive Psychology 