Are You a Self-Saboteur?

Take this questionnaire to get clear on what you may be doing to undermine your own success and happiness in life. An explanation of your score awaits at the end.

1. When someone offers help you usually

answer no without even thinking

consider for a moment, but then decide their help would be inadequate

consider for a moment, but then decide it would be asking for too much

happily accept

2. Your level of organization is

catastrophic -- you can't even find your toothbrush at night

okay, except that when it comes to your dream you tend to keep everything on tiny slips of paper that get lost

not bad ... you organize everything. It's just that you never act on it

fine -- you keep a running file or list of what you need to do on your dream projects every day

3. If someone gives you a key contact, you

tuck it away in a pocket with no intention of using it anytime soon

stick it in a safe place in your organizer or wallet, then lose it

put it on your desk where it sits untouched for the next four months

get in touch with that person within a few days

4. When opportunity knocks

you get a strange feeling in your gut and do nothing

you always manage to get sick

you seize the opportunity, but not until after several hours hair-tearing while you try to find necessary materials, the correct directions, a parking place, an open Fed Ex office, etc.

you open the door and let it in

5. The idea of being prepared, i.e. keeping an extra clean suit handy, having a beeper, always keeping extra promotion materials on hand, seems

downright silly

like a good idea, but one you probably wouldn't do

smart, and you may even do one or two of these things

critical -- you even keep extra panty hose on hand, and business cards in your gym bag

6. The idea that someday you will be successful enough to call your own shots seems

unlikely

scary, but possible

likely ... if you could just get your act together somehow

fated

7. When an important project begins to reach some kind of climax, as it nears its conclusion, you

withdrawal and let others finish it

begin to get pretty bloody sick of the whole thing, and start to complain loudly

start looking for the next thing to work on

hang in there for completion, taking care of the details, knowing the next thing will come along soon

Scoring:

If most of your answers were

You are committed to hanging out, which is fine, unless you've got that nagging feeling you should be doing something more. If so, you probably need a therapist, or a life coach at the very least (see Chapter X, "What is a Coach and Why Do I Need One?") when you're ready to get serious.

Your fear is definitely getting in the way of what you want to do in life. You need to get an arsenal of support including a support group, a coach, and plenty of meditation time.

You're grappling with the usual fear and doubts, but the problem is you're listening to them, even though you know the deal. Set up a regular support group and find a support buddy or coach who will bug you to get your work done every day.

You're doing the job the way it should be done. The only possible problem is burn-out, so be sure to schedule in the rest you need, and stimulating stuff to keep you perking along. A coach would be a wise investment towards seeing how far you could go.

Want to get out of your own way and get on with your dreams? Check out Suzanne Falter-Barns' ebook, Living Your Joy* How to Find the Time, the Money and the Energy to Live Your Dream at http://www.howmuchjoy.com/livingyourjoy.html Her free ezine, The Joy Letter, brings you a crisp, fresh burst of inspiration for your dream every week or two. Sign up at http://www.howmuchjoy.com/joyletter.html and receive her valuable report, "35 Guaranteed Time Savers."

About The Author

Suzanne Falter-Barns is the author of How Much Joy Can You Stand? (Ballantine) and keeper of http://www.howmuchjoy.com -- a website where you can push past your fears and create your dreams. Join her if there's more you want to accomplish in life, and you just need an inspiring nudge!

info@howmuchjoy.com

More resources:

RELATED ARTICLES

The Solutions to Lifes 10 Biggest Problems!
Every day clients tell me about their problems, often in great detail, and I've noticed patterns that show up over and over. For many people, life's problems are viewed as "not enough money" or "not enough time".

Your Dream Can Be Your Future
Here is a basic truth you must accept and believe if you are to achieve your dream?Your dream can be a reality! That's right, your future can actually see you living your dream. It doesn't just have to be a big wish!When we are young we are dreamers.

How to Use the Power of Words to Your Benefit
Someone I know maintains that "motivational words are great coming from philosophers, but that's because they're not in the real world." The power of words can be an incredible aid to helping us remain motivated and focused.

Magic In The Leadership Zone!
"Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak - and esteem to all.

Anxiety & Panic - Make Your Information Work for You
Whether you suffer from anxiety and panic attacks or not, there is a lesson in here for everyone.Some year's back my husband and I got our selves into a bit of a pickle where money is concerned (probably something quite a few people can relate to).

The Greatest Secret To Producing Real SOLID Excellence!
One fact stubbornly stays true: while everyone desires to succeed, only those who truly COMMIT to their dreams would be able to attain success. For most people, having MORE money, MORE freedom and MORE success is nothing but a feeble desire.

Regret or Passion? Which Will Be Yours?
I once attended a retreat on how to live with passion and fulfill one's life's work. The facilitator posed the question, "If money was not an issue, yet you had to work full-time, what would you do?" Answering this question was a turning point for me.

Raising The Bar
One of the most popular events in the Olympics is the pole vault event. We all watch with amazement and anticipation as the competitor runs full speed down the track with a long pole in his hands.

Wisdom Comes to the Inquisitive Mind
Throughout my life I have observed many things and I am often amazed (but shouldn't be) at how Wisdom is demonstrated in all ages. It is not reserved just for the elders.

A Resolution for Excellence
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.

A Reality Practice
Suggested practice to gain freedom from self-limitation.It is suggested that what is actual and real in the world can only be experienced in the ongoing moment (by moment) and that to be fully in the moment can only happen if all ideas and beliefs about it are gone from the psyche - including the sense of "I", of self identity.

Are You Ready To Make A Strong Finish?
Talk about a strong finish! In their inspiring story of perserverance which ultimately led to great success and victory, the Detroit Shock won their first ever WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) championship title. USA Today told of their "worst-to-first odyssey" where the team, after winning only nine games in 2002, they finished 2003 with a league-best record and championship title.

Secrets to Motivating Yourself and Others
There is hardly anything more personal that what motivates each of us to perform in a work environment. Here's some insight into how to choose the best "carrot" to motivate both yourself .

Quit Pretending - You Have To Live Whats In You To Succeed
Some people, after they reach their mid and upper adult years seem to go through their lives just existing. Oh! They work at their jobs as best as they can.

The Ripple Effect: Small Steps Lead to Big Results
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.

4 Qualities of Highly Successful People
What if you can be, do or have anything you want, what would you desire in your life?Now do you believe it can happen? Yes? No? In the words of Henry Ford, "If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right."Well then what actually happens for those people who do seem to get everything they desire?Let's take a closer look.

Self-Motivation for Trainers
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SELF-MOTIVATION FOR TRAINERS: Lack of self-motivation is an unfortunate side effect of our accelerated times. Many people today are cynical and disillusioned or feel that to appear sophisticated, they must become so.

Your Biggest Do it Yourself Project
When I meet people and tell them what I do, I often hear, "Oh, you are a motivational speaker," with some amount of assuredness in their voice. While I realize there are many speakers that people lump into this category (some who are my friends and mentors), I strongly disagree with that label.

Tony Robbins - 10 Lessons I Learned From Anthony Robbins
Tony Robbins has been an inspiration for millions. Love him and his philosophy or not, it is undeniable that he has had a positive impact on millions of people.

Back to Boot Camp
You know, whenever you are going to make a major change and begin to undergo a different lifestyle, it is probably good to make a massive move in that direction. Think about it.