We all have big dreams and goals, yet what happens when we keep getting in our way? I feel self-sabotage is the silent enemy of personal growth, holding us back from success, happiness and even fulfilling relationships. You are not alone if you have ever set a goal, only to find yourself procrastinating, doubting your abilities, or feeling paralysed by fear. The good news? EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) can be a powerful ally in breaking free from these patterns and creating real, lasting change.
Self-sabotage is often driven by deeply rooted fears or limiting beliefs. Read my blog article on overcoming limiting beliefs here. Studies show that EFT effectively reduces stress by calming the amygdala, the brain's fight-flight-freeze centre and lowering cortisol levels. This physiological shift helps people rewire unfavourable patterns by addressing the core emotional drivers behind them. EFT doesn't just temporarily mask these issues; it targets them at their root.
Let us dive into three tapping sequences that help release the common blocks underlying self-sabotage: fear of failure, feelings of unworthiness and resistance to change.
Tapping Sequence #1: Release the Fear of Failure
Before we begin this tapping sequence, take a moment to centre yourself. Acknowledge any worries or apprehension about failure. It is natural to feel this way and together we can gently process these feelings. How do you feel about pursuing your goals without the fear of failure holding you back?
Ask yourself:
Where do I feel worry or apprehension in my body right now?
o Take a moment to notice any physical sensations—tightness in your chest, butterflies in your stomach, tension in your shoulders, etc.
What emotions or thoughts hold me back from feeling confident and fearless in pursuing my goals?
o Reflect on any limiting beliefs or past experiences that contribute to your fear of failure.
On a standard 0-to-10 Subjective Units of Distress (SUD) scale, where 1 represents feeling completely at ease and 10 represents feeling highly tense, where would you place yourself?
o Take note of this number; it will be helpful to revisit it after the tapping.
Setup Statements: Repeat the three setup statements while tapping on the Side of the Hand (SOH) point:
"Even though I feel this deep fear of failure that sometimes stops me from moving forward, I choose to acknowledge these feelings and accept myself fully."
"Even though I worry that if I try, I might fail, I am open to the possibility of learning from every experience."
"Even though the fear of failure can feel overwhelming, I choose to trust myself and believe in my capacity for growth."
Tapping Points
Begin tapping through the following acupoints while saying the associated phrases.
Top of Head (TOH): "I am afraid that if I try I might fail."
Located directly on the crown of the head.
Eyebrow (EB): "What if I am not good enough to succeed?"
Located at the start of the eyebrow, near the bridge of the nose.
Side of Eye (SE): "This fear keeps me from taking action."
Located on the bone at the outer corner of the eye.
Under Eye (UE): "I have internalised the belief that failure is a reflection of my worth."
Located on the bone directly under the eye.
Under Nose (UN): "Sometimes, I feel it is safer not to try at all."
Located between the nose and upper lip.
Chin (CH): "This fear of failure has been a heavy burden and I am ready to let it go."
Located in the crease between the lower lip and chin.
Collarbone (CB): "I am open to the possibility that I can succeed, even if it feels scary."
Located just below the collarbone, about 2.5 cm (1 inch) from the base of the throat.
Under Arm (UA): "I choose to embrace growth and learning and I am worthy of success."
Located on the side of the body, about 10 cm (4 inches) below the armpit.
Take a deep breath after completing the tapping sequence.
Repeat the tapping round as many times as needed until you notice a shift in how you feel. After completing the round, check in with your initial score: has it decreased, stayed the same, or increased? A lower score indicates you are releasing tension. If there is no change, continue tapping until you feel a difference.
Tapping Sequence #2: Uproot Feelings of Unworthiness
In this tapping sequence, we will focus on addressing the feelings of unworthiness that can so often hinder our progress. Remember, these feelings do not define you. Let’s work together to release them.
Setup Statements:
"Even though I sometimes feel unworthy of success and happiness, I choose to acknowledge these feelings and release the need to carry them forward."
"Even though I often doubt my worth and hold myself back, I honour these feelings and open up to the truth of my inherent value."
"Even though feelings of unworthiness have weighed me down, I am willing to see myself in a new light and let go of these limiting beliefs."
Tapping Points
Begin tapping through the following acupoints while saying the associated phrases.
Top of Head (TOH): "I have believed for so long that I don't deserve success or happiness ."
Located directly on the crown of the head.
Eyebrow (EB): "These thoughts weigh heavily on me and keep me stuck."
Located at the start of the eyebrow, near the bridge of the nose.
Side of Eye (SE): "I often feel like I am not enough, despite my efforts."
Located on the bone at the outer corner of the eye.
Under Eye (UE): "I carry the burden of past mistakes, thinking they define my worth."
Located on the bone directly under the eye.
Under Nose (UN): "What if I could see my value beyond my failures?"
Located between the nose and upper lip.
Chin (CH): "I am willing to challenge these limiting beliefs about myself."
Located in the crease between the lower lip and chin.
Collarbone (CB): "I deserve to embrace my true potential, to bloom and sparkle."
Located just below the collarbone, about 2.5 cm (1 inch) from the base of the throat.
Under Arm (UA): "I am ready to release these feelings of unworthiness and fully accept my worth."
Located on the side of the body, about 10 cm (4 inches) below the armpit.
Take a deep breath after completing the tapping sequence.
After completing this tapping round, revisit the score you gave yourself at the beginning. Have the feelings of unworthiness decreased? If not, continue tapping until you notice a change.
Tapping Sequence #3: Overcome Resistance to Change
In this sequence, we will address the resistance to change that often stems from fear. Embracing change is essential for growth and together we can ease the discomfort that comes with it.
Setup Statements:
"Even though I feel resistance to change and worry about what it might bring, I accept myself and choose to release this resistance."
"Even though change feels uncomfortable and I am afraid of stepping out of my comfort zone, I honour these feelings and gently open myself to new possibilities."
"Even though I have a strong resistance to change, I choose to embrace growth and trust that I can handle whatever lies ahead."
Tapping Points
Top of Head (TOH): "I am open to confidence and ease."
Located directly on the crown of the head.
Eyebrow (EB): "I choose to feel calm in any social setting."
Located at the start of the eyebrow, near the bridge of the nose.
Side of Eye (SE): "My body and mind are fully aligned and at ease."
Located on the bone at the outer corner of the eye.
Under Eye (UE): "I invite joy and relaxation into every part of me."
Located on the bone directly under the eye.
Under Nose (UN): "My true Self is blooming beautifully with peace."
Located between the nose and upper lip.
Chin (CH): "I am confident, calm and thriving."
Located in the crease between the lower lip and chin.
Collarbone (CB): "I deserve to feel connected and at ease in every situation."
Located just below the collarbone, about 2.5 cm (1 inch) from the base of the throat.
Under Arm (UA): "My mind and body are in harmony, blooming and sparkling into ease, grace and peace."
Located on the side of the body, about 10 cm (4 inches) below the armpit.
Take a deep breath after completing the tapping sequence.
Revisit Your Score
Now, let us check in again:
What number would you assign yourself on the SUD scale now? Has it shifted from where you started? If so, how does that feel? If it hasn’t changed much, that is okay too; every tapping session helps to clear those emotional blocks a little more.
Just like a Rose requires attention and care, so does personal growth. With each EFT session, you remove the weeds that have been holding you back, allowing your true Self (inner Rose) to flourish beautifully. You can break the cycle of self-sabotage and create lasting change, so the world can see - and you can feel - the radiant Rose within you. Celebrate any progress you have made today! 🌹✨ 🌹✨
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