Lessons are everywhere.

I learned that I often subconsciously self-sabotage myself, and create arbitrary, self-imposed deadlines.

For example, I told myself that I would have this website completed and published by early June 2016 so that I could tell some friends about it at a destination wedding in Colorado.  I later noticed what I did.  I randomly selected a date out of thin air – and while doing so, set myself up to be disappointed when it didn’t happen.

And this date was not based on any realistic or practical estimate of how long this venture would actually take, nor did it take into consideration my obligations at my full time job, or the fact that I never created a website before, or the fact that the next couple weekend were fully booked with family obligations.  Nope… just picked a date a few weeks away.

Then I realize, I have done this to myself in the past!  And by doing this, I’m practically guaranteeing to be down on myself for no real reason.

Think if you have unintentionally self-sabotaged yourself by establishing an arbitrary deadline.  Do you promise to complete a work assignment by a certain day or time – even if it’s a few days earlier than your boss needed it by?  And then, only because of your unrealistic, arbitrary, self-imposed deadline, are you now struggling, staying up late, and feeling like a miserable failure?

Or, perhaps you overbooked yourself to meet a friend during the one available night you had all week, even though you could have just as easily met them the next week, when you were more open.  I’ve been telling myself that noticing what I am doing is a good first step!