It was the break of dawn and going through my emails, I was confronted with this question:
In what ways are you often your own worst enemy?
Some people may disagree with the notion that it's not possible to be against oneself. Maybe because we believe self-preservation takes priority but this is not always the case.
A dear friend once told me years ago that I am the only one who can stand in my own way and he is absolutely right. This was after I had tested and proved this to be true!
There are times when we feel we make the right decisions not knowing we are blocking our own path to success.
One way I am my own worst enemy is that I am quite strict with myself and quick to reprimand myself when I go wrong. That is aside from the reprimand and criticism that comes from others. I can replay a mistake over and over in my head, it's suffocating!
This feels like a double burden on me but in a way, it helps keep me on the right path and acts as a guide to make the right choices. On the other hand, this act hurts my self-esteem to the point that I sell myself short sometimes. I see this as being my own worst enemy.
Ever since I discovered this, I learned to discard the harsh self-criticism I put myself through and also the negative thoughts that follow. I always choose to go easy on myself, not to the point of accepting my wrongs or mistakes as okay but accepting that to err is human and resolve to do better next time.
Being our own worst enemy can come in other forms like shifting the blame on others, making excuses and being lazy, undervaluing our worth and not appreciating the world around us.
We have so much potential and we alone can limit them. Don't be your own worst enemy!
Happy weekend.