Self-sabotage 153 but then they would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. They would sabotage themselves to stop just before they were about to make it. My less sophisticated clients blamed the world. My more insightful clients would come in and say something like,‘ I sabotaged myself again! It would have been fascinating to watch, if it wasn’ t so bleeding painful. I ran late for the final job interview not allowing time for contingencies, got caught in a car park on the freeway and when I finally got to the interview they told me they gave it to the other guy because they needed someone who was reliable.’ One of the reasons we sabotage is because we don’ t want to move out of our‘ discomfort’ zone into the new, unknown, stressful territory of success. I call it a‘ discomfort’ zone because people who know they have greater potential are unhappy where they are. But they are held back in this zone because it is familiar and safe. To your unconscious mind‘ familiar and safe’ wins out every time over pursuing your potential. To pursue your potential you have to consciously battle your unconscious mind. Do not underestimate the fear success can hold for each of us – even those of you who thrive on change. The truth is that many of us would rather be a big fish in a small pond, especially one that we know like the back of our hand( or is that‘ fin’?). Small ponds are not very stressful compared to life in the big sea. It is usually only when we are unhappy with our small ponds that the ocean will look more attractive to us. Then it is not until we become desperately unhappy with our small ponds that we will actually execute the move to the ocean. This is why it is not until people have a mild heart attack or stroke, or need to self-inject insulin, that they think seriously about risking the success of losing weight. While many people would like a better-paid position, quite reasonably, they choose not to take a more demanding, responsible promotion at work because they don’ t want the stress. As a general rule increased work demands and stress is why people receive increased pay.