“It is best to bind up the finger before it is cut.” – Lesotho Proverb
We all have them. Moments where we say something that we instantly regret. Maybe it’s a snarky comment, or an insult that we hurl at someone in anger. Whatever it is, these moments can be damaging to our relationships, both personal and professional. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the dos and don’ts of being your own worst enemy- and how to guard your utterances so you don’t damage your relationships.
1. Understand the different types of self-sabotage
There are four different types of self-sabotage: verbal, emotional, physical, and mental.
- Verbal self-sabotage is when we say things that we later regret. This can be in the form of gossiping, saying something hurtful to someone, or even just complaining excessively.
- Emotional self-sabotage is when we allow our emotions to control us. This can manifest in the form of anger, jealousy, or even just self-pity.
- Physical self-sabotage is when we engage in activities that are harmful to our bodies. This can be anything from smoking and drinking to overeating and not exercising.
- Mental self-sabotage is when we allow our thoughts to control us. This can be anything from negative self-talk to ruminating on past failures.
All of these types of self-sabotage can damage our relationships, both personal and professional. That’s why it’s important to understand the different types and how to guard against them.
2. Don’t put yourself down – be your own best friend
One of the most important things you can do to guard your utterances is to be your own best friend. This means being kind and gentle with yourself, both in your words and actions.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of putting yourself down, especially when you make a mistake or fail at something. But if you’re constantly putting yourself down, you’re only damaging your relationship with yourself.
Instead of being your own worst enemy, be your own best friend. Be gentle with yourself and understand that everyone makes mistakes. Forgive yourself when you make them and move on.
By being your own best friend, you’ll find it easier to guard your utterances.
3. Don’t speak negatively about yourself
Another important thing to do is to avoid speaking negatively about yourself. This includes both verbal and mental self-sabotage.
When you speak negatively about yourself, you’re only reinforcing negative thoughts and beliefs. And when you reinforce these negative thoughts, they become harder and harder to shake.
So instead of speaking (or thinking) negatively about yourself, focus on the positive. What are some things you’re proud of? What are some things you’re good at?
Focusing on the positive will help to counterbalance the negative and make it easier to guard your utterances.
4. Be mindful of your words and how they might affect your actions
It’s important to be mindful of your words and how they might affect your actions. This is especially true in moments of stress or anger.
In these moments, it’s easy to say something that we later regret. But if we’re mindful of our words, we can make a conscious effort to choose them more carefully.
By being mindful of our words, we can avoid self-sabotage and help to guard our utterances.
5. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small they may seem
Finally, it’s important to celebrate your accomplishments- no matter how small they may seem. This is a great way to boost your self-esteem and feel good about yourself.
When you take the time to celebrate your accomplishments, you’re sending a message to yourself that you’re proud of what you’ve done. And this can help to guard your utterances.
In conclusion, the best way to guard your utterances is to be your own best friend. Be kind and gentle with yourself, avoid speaking negatively about yourself, be mindful of your words, and celebrate your accomplishments. By following these tips, you can avoid self-sabotage and protect your relationships. Thanks for reading and stay Rooted In Love.