Why do we commit self-sabotage on ourselves? It seems to go against instinct and what our very early ancestors would do, doesn't it? By self-sabotage I mean doing something that will harm you and you know this, but you still do it. Like not studying for a test and failing, even though you want to do well in the class because you have some longterm goal related to it. Or people continuing to eat like pigs even though they are already obese, unhealthy and disgusting, and they know it. Economists say people are rational in their decisions, but not really when you think about self-sabotage.

Right now I'm committing self-sabotage in fact, as I should be using this time between classes to study something, not sit on my ass on totse. Do I get enjoyment out of sitting on totse? Well yeah, I guess, but I could've just as easily gone on it later after I have done some work.

I think we truly are our own worst enemy. If it wasn't for self-sabotage, we'd all be rockstar millionaires with beautiful women swinging from our cocks...or whatever it is you'd want. What to do? What to do...

I don't think our ancestors were exactly masters of putting off short term impulse for long term goals. We're capable of it, that doesn't mean its anywhere near the larger part of human behavior. If you want something now, and can get it now, that thing is worth more to you now than it is later. We want the immediate satisfaction proportionally more than the long term (because traditionally there was no real way to ensure the long term; a piece of food wouldn't stay around forever, you might die before you got another chance to have sex, etc.), so we prioritize accordingly.

And, it's probably not the best way to go about it, but I've found that working yourself into a state of terrified panic ahead of time helps a lot with warding off procrastination when you really need to get something done.

whenever I really, actually set to my mind to something, like say, making all-state band, I don't play games. None of that self-sabotage for me. When it's not a big deal to me personally, like a test, then I allow myself to pull that stuff. I'm thinking it's just another game humans like to play either for procrastination or because of wracked nerves.

The night before I took the ACT for the first time, I also got very stoned for the first time, and I was afraid it would affect my score. Just another game to play...

I self-sabotage a lot. I'd probably have a university degree or some shit right now if it weren't for my sabotaging ways. People are constantly upset with me because I underachieve with gifts they wish they had. I can get laid whenever, but I fuck myself over most of the time. I meet wonderful women, but somehow find a way to blow it. I was an awesome baseball player, could have went at least semi-professional, but I quit cause the current team I was on didn't have any heart. I'm starting to get my shit together a lot more these days. Wish I didn't have to recover from all the self-sabotage I did earlier in life.

Simple, really.

We pay more attention to short-term, immediate goals and desires (this is the main reason why most New Years Resolutions go unfulfilled). If your immediate desire to sleep, drink, jack off, etc. is stronger than your desire to pass the exam, then you'll behave accordingly.

Simple, really.

We pay more attention to short-term, immediate goals and desires (this is the main reason why most New Years Resolutions go unfulfilled). If your immediate desire to sleep, drink, jack off, etc. is stronger than your desire to pass the exam, then you'll behave accordingly.

Yep. back in the caveman days life was all about the short term.
http://video.ted.com/talks/podcast/DanGilbert_2005G_480.mp4

I self-sabotage a lot. I'd probably have a university degree or some shit right now if it weren't for my sabotaging ways. People are constantly upset with me because I underachieve with gifts they wish they had. I can get laid whenever, but I fuck myself over most of the time. I meet wonderful women, but somehow find a way to blow it. I was an awesome baseball player, could have went at least semi-professional, but I quit cause the current team I was on didn't have any heart. I'm starting to get my shit together a lot more these days. Wish I didn't have to recover from all the self-sabotage I did earlier in life.

I can definitely relate to this.