We all know the feeling of stress. A huge deadline coming up along with five meetings the same week plus a demanding personal life is stressful. Some stress can help you grow as a person. However, when that stress becomes
overwhelming and you may focus more on the distress than reaching your objective. Self-defeating behavior (SDB) is defined as any behavior that is self-sabotaging and sets you back from moving forward with your life. SDBs may temporarily relieve your stress, by distracting you. However, they will also hurt your productivity, work ethic and even your confidence. To help identify and reverse these behaviors, here are some common SDBs to be mindful of:

Procrastination: Putting off work for a later time can drastically impair your work load, attitude, and work ethic. If there’s a large project deadline coming up, it’s important that you make small goals each week to work toward the end result. Not being a mindful listener: Listening is a skill most people don’t think about. Being an active listener can improve your relationships at work and in your personal life. Make sure you’re maintaining eye contact, asking questions when necessary, and giving feedback to ensure everyone’s on the same page.

Worrying about what other people think of you. A lot of time is wasted in worry … especially worrying about things that you have no control. Do your work. Keep your promises. Be kind to others. And you will have no need to second guess what others are thinking.

Defensiveness: Constructive workplace criticisms are used for growth and shouldn’t be taken negatively. Maintaining a good open attitude and understanding that constructive criticism is intended for more success will create a more positive environment.

How do you overcome SDBs? Be aware. Know your triggers and try to avoid them. Catch yourself in the process and take full responsibility for it. Don’t blame others for your mistakes. Repetition is a key. In time you will start to realize which self-defeating behaviors you exhibit and knowing will help you to improve, Soon, these healthy work habits will become second nature.