Is self-sabotage conscious or unconscious or both?

Question

Give an example.

Answer 1

self sabotage is done usually subconsciously.
For example, you get so used to hearing someone tell you, you will never be good enough and after awhile you start believing this. eventually, when you start to try things you will convince yourself that you don't deserve it and the like. so, at first it is consciously done by others to us, and then done subconsciously by us

Answer 2

What is self-sabotage? If by this you mean someone doing something like say tossing a book in the garbage before they are done with it because they realized they didnt wana know the ending then... I would say this wasnt really a sabotage at all but actualy just a path choosen that to an outside person looking in might seem like something they did to sabotage themselfs from finding the truth of the book.

Anyhow back to your question I guess if its self sabotage it would have to be conscious act because if your unconscious did it then it really wouldnt have had much to do with your awake self the real self... at least in this world...

Answer 3

I would say both. You might be aware of it, but powerless to stop it. Take for example the addict or the alcoholic. They might be very well aware of their self destructive behavior, but powerless to stop it. The reason they can't stop it at that point might be due to unconscious associations between the negative behavior and the fragile psyche it is trying to to protect. Even after someone has quit drinking or drugs these justifications for destructive behavior can remain for years. At this point it's very important to have patience and the willingness to get whatever support is needed to go into the unconscious realm (or sub-conscience) and rout out the patterns and beliefs that are causing this behavior to persist. Somewhere at the base will be the belief that the person does not believe they deserve better, so the self sabotage will continue until this specter can be confronted and conquered.

Answer 4

I think self-sabotage is a concept in which a person does an act willfully and maybe impulsively that leads to a perceived undesirable consequence. Perhaps, at least sometimes, self-sabotage is really a good event that prevented some unintended consequences for the individual. I would like to believe the term self-sabotage is a part of one's life from which a lesson can be learned. Furthermore, I would hope the event would lead to growth in the person's life. After all, isn't that what all of us should be striving to achieve--personal and spiritual growth for ourselves, our family, and our associates? Thanks for the question.

Answer 5

hi there.
It works on both levels, to be truly successful self-sabotage has to be prompted by the subconscious but then allowed by the conscious - either by refusing to think about it at all or by thinking about it in a deliberately wrong way.

George Michael was on the radio the other day, talking about his life and he had done both, apparently. He believes that his arrest for soliciting and acts of lewdness in L.A. was deliberate self-sabotage, where his conscious mind turned off and allowed his subconscious free reign. The conscious mind excused itself for this as his homosexuality was bound to be outed any time anyway.
the other example he gave was when he took on Sony over his contract. His subconscious mind wanted to use Sony as a whipping boy for the pain in George's life and his conscious mind decided this was correct, as there was a huge point of principle at stake - when what was really at stake was the law and money.

In both cases self-sabotage. Luckily for George his talent has kept him rolling and fans are very forgiving of "bad boy" musicians, but it was very bad for him both times and could have been a lot worse.

When I was younger, a lack of self-confidence led me to self-sabotage dating attempts and save the girl the trouble - man, I was a dope! my conscious mind just turned off and stood aside...

Cheers, Steve.

Answer 6

Unconscious, in case of habits and addictions etc.
Conscious, in the case when one loathes him/her self or one's circumstances to the extent of destroying oneself as a token of revenge!
Conscious or Unconscious, self-sabotage is the result of LOVELESSNESS!

Answer 7

I think that Self-sabotage, is both. Depends as how you identify with it.

Answer 8

stable element, no, i dont think of an subconscious innovations is a wakeful innovations rather because of the fact the innovations could have the subconscious state, the sub-wakeful state and the wakeful state. The sub-wakeful is the area the place the matters are there, yet slightly buried in our minds, while, the wakeful is what certainty we are in at present. The subconscious has issues that are completely buried/stored away for a reason, according to danger because of the fact we dont prefer to think of approximately them and so on...

Answer 9

Both.

Example: Slick Willy Clinton.

Answer 10

Its conscious. You know if something you are doing is hurting yourself, like over eating, self mutilation or the like. you may not be able to control yourself but you do know what you are doing.