3 Ways to Defeat Self-Sabotaging Behavior
"Hello. I’m Peggie: wife, mom, gramie, artist, teacher, and reformed self-saboteur."

For years I believed the lies I told myself: I wasn’t good enough. I didn’t know enough. I didn’t have enough talent and skill. Someone else could do it better, so mine wasn’t needed.

But God kept nudging me though His Word and His people. He directed me to Bible passages that spoke to my very soul.

I had been reared in a Christian home with Christian parents, gave my heart to Jesus as a child, but it wasn’t until I was in my late thirties that my mindset began to shift away from what I didn’t have to what I did have: not material things, but intrinsic things like talent, opportunities, skills.

Luke 12:48 ends with this admonition, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

I knew I SHOULD be doing more to further God’s Kingdom, but continued to hold back, waiting for all the pieces to fit together. I wasn't even sure what those pieces were!

Tip # - 1 Make a List 

List the thoughts that pop up frequently when thinking about following a dream, making a change, or otherwise stepping outside your comfort zone. Before we can correct a problem, we must see and acknowledge the problem. Included on my list was that I didn't have any formal education. I had married right out of highschool, but secretly wanted a college degree. By then all of my four children were in school, so I stepped way outside my comfort and enrolled in college. I became a licensed Biology and Art teacher the year our oldest son graduated high school.


Tip # -2 Keep a Journal

As part of a creative writing class in college, I was required to journal. Although at first it seemed there simply wasn't time in my day for yet one more thing, my journal was therapeutic and saw me through some dark days. Journaling became a habit that continues to facilitate introspection, tracking progress, and planning.


Tip #3 - Use Positive Affirmations Effectively

I taught for seventeen years. When I started, I loved teaching so much I would have done it free! It didn't take long for that opinion to change, but I enjoyed it on most days. Until I didn't.


Knowing that I wouldn't continue long enough to retire from teaching, I got a business license and started working as a professional photographer on the side. Before every portrait session I looked in the mirror and stated positive affirmations: I am ready. I know enough. I have the right equipment.


Was I nervous? Absolutely! Was I scared? For sure!! Did I make mistakes? Mercy yes! But each time it was easier. And each mistake taught me something I needed to know.


Now Positive Affirmations and Journaling are routine parts of my day. I just published a new Coloring/Affirmations book called Change Your Thinking Change Your Life

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