How Will You Screw Things Up?

Tom Seaver, the great Hall of Famer pitcher reportedly before every game he would pitch, sat down and read the line up of the opposing team. He was looking for players who could beat him. Maybe they had success against him in the past. Or maybe he just needed to change his approach to pitching to these particular hitters.

What about us? More than likely in our careers or personal relationships, we are not going up against opponents. If there is someone who could defeat you, it's probably going to be you. So, the question is: what would you do to screw up a new business deal or job, for example? What's been your pattern in the past? Do you start out on fire and then get lazy? Do you miss deadlines or not full fill promises you've made to your boss or your customers? Do you lie? Do you cheat on your expense account?

You might be able to fine similar self-sabotaging behaviors in personal relationships.

To avoid tripping your self up, you need to make a brutally honest assessment of your behavior. Too many people rationalize b.s. behavior or duck any responsibility. They are looking to blame everyone but themselves. You'll never grow until you own up to what you've done without finger pointing or excusing. When you are fully conscious of your pattern, you can be aware of when you maybe heading down that road of self-inflicted pain.