The '7 Deadly Sins' That Soulpreneurs Commit in Self-Sabotage (And How to Break Free)

"Self-sabotage is when we say we want something and then go about making sure it doesn't happen."

Alyce Cornyn-Selby

Entrepreneurship is a sacred calling—part ambition, part artistry, and part survival. But in the pursuit of freedom and success, many founders unknowingly fall into patterns that sabotage their growth. These “deadly sins” aren’t just bad habits—they’re spiritual and strategic misalignments that drain energy, stall momentum, and dim the fire that sparked the business in the first place.

Let’s name them. Let’s unlearn them. And let’s reclaim your power as a conscious, courageous entrepreneur.

Let your work be about service, not self-sacrifice.

Understanding Self-Sabotage

Self-sabotaging habits are self-protecting mechanisms. They are your subconscious trying to keep you safe from a version of success that feels too new and different, and thus threatening.

There is a part inside all of us that says:

“If I expand, I’ll lose the people around me.”

“Success will make people hate me, judge me.”

“Without struggle/suffering, who am I?”

We are more comfortable in old, stuck versions of ourselves because it's what we've always known. Our bodies and minds have learned to protect us from being seen and heard at our fullest because it comes with the risk of pain: judgement, rejection, isolation, lonliness, or disconnection.

The reason that you self-sabotage is that it allows you to predict what is going to happen, which is giving you the illusion that you're in control.

We hold an unconscious loyalty to our family systems, our origin stories, our cultural conditioning. Deep down, we don’t want to betray them. But in living in that familiar past, we betray our future selves.

Affirm: I am safe to expand emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually and materially. I am breaking free and rising above old narratives and versions of my identity.

Self-Sabotaging Habits Soulprenuers Should Overcome

1. Perfectionism

What it is: The illusion that more polishing and refinement = more value. Perfectionism masquerades as excellence, but it’s really fear in disguise. It's a form of denial or resistance, refusing to surrender or trust.

What it looks like: You spend hours tweaking your website copy or rewriting your Instagram bio instead of launching your offer publicly. You fear being seen more than being stagnant.

The antidote: Embrace the messy journey. Take imperfect action. Feel the fear and do it anyway

Remember 'done' is always better than 'perfect'.

2. Overworking

What it is: Trying to prove your worth by doing too much, for too little.Believing you have to do it all, figure it out alone, or carry the whole load. But business is not a solo sport—it’s a web of support, community, and connection. You will never be able to grow, scale and thrive if you're in a constant state of burnout.

What it looks like: You wear exhaustion like a badge of honor. Your to-do list is never-ending. You undercharge, overdeliver, and pour your soul into every client—but secretly feel depleted, undervalued and resentful. You don’t ask for help. You hide or run when things get hard. You try to wear all the hats and do everything in your business, even if drains you.

The antidote: Let your "no" be as sacred as your "yes." Prioritize whats in your zone of genius and what matters for impact and growth. Rest with intention. Create space. Set boundaries. Charge your worth. Ask for help. Outsource. Delegate.

You have the power to change, to write your own story. Don't let self-sabotage be a part of your next chapter. Take control and create the success you deserve.

3. Inconsistency

What it is: The hustle-grind-burnout cycle might seem like proof of your passion but it could also mean you’re avoiding the real, deep work. Progress and mastery require radical focus and clarity, not frantic or wishy-washy energy.

What it looks like: A lack of regularity or follow-through in your actions. You start and stop, show up in bursts, or frequently shift focus. You post for three days in a row, then disappear for weeks. You launch a service without promoting it regularly. You jump from one idea to the next without seeing anything through.

The antidote: Create simple, repeatable routines and systems. Stay the course. Track progress. Celebrate wins. Hold yourself accountable and ask others to do the same.

Most people try to fix procrastination but instead we should thank it. Procrastination is protection in disguise. It's not the problem, it's the permission. It's not laziness, it's loyalty. Your inner child craves autonomy, freedom, compassion - not pressure, force, or judgement.

4. Avoidance

What it is: Consciously or unconsciously delaying or dodging tasks that feel uncomfortable, unfamiliar, or high-stakes.

What it looks like: Procrastination, distraction, avoidance. You’re constantly "busy" scrolling, researching, chasing shiny objects, pivoting to new ideas, starting over, or buying another course. You delay making offers, pitching, or promoting yourself for endless reasons (the website isn't ready, you don't want to appear pushy or egotistical, etc). You doubt and second-guess yourself into silence or stagnation. You delay launching, wait to be “ready,” and shrink your voice because you fear what might happen if you really went all in.

The antidote: Get real - do you actually want to have a business, or a hobby? Show up courageously. Take aligned actions. Identify and name your hidden fears and blocks. Break tasks into tiny, manageable steps. Build an accountability or support network. Practice self-compassion. Heal your inner child. Look underneath the habit. Find the wisdom within and ask why there's a part of you in resistance, in protest.

Confidence comes through Consistent Completion. And they're all built through practice and repetition.

5. Ambiguity

What it is: When you’re vague about yourself or your offerings, you confuse your audience, and confused people don’t buy. This bad habit often comes from fear of commitment or wanting to appeal to everyone.

What it looks like: Weak messaging, poor differentiation, undefined offers, understating your value, refusing to niche. Not being clear on who you help, how you help them, or what you actually offer.

The antidote: Clarity is magnetic and powerful. Define your niche, message, and offers so your dream clients know exactly why you’re for them.

“Why do you stay in the prison when the door is is so wide open?”

Rumi

6. Disorganization

What it is: Running your business on "vibes" instead of sustainable systems and structure will only keep you stuck in chaos, scarcity or invisibility. Building containers and organizational systems are vital to protect your energy and to let your magic flow consistently.

What it looks like: You avoid setting up or documenting workflows, SOPs, or automations because it feels boring, limiting, or stifling to your creativity. You reinvent the wheel every client interaction.

The antidote: Build repeatable systems for client onboarding, bookkeeping, content creation, email marketing, scheduling and delivery. Use tech, tools, and platforms to build a business that runs efficiently and effortlessly so you can free up your time to do what you love.

Treat your sales and services like what they are: a sacred energy exchange. When you truly believe in yourself and your work, selling becomes a selfless act of sharing and generosity.

7. Self-Abandonment

What it is: Making decisions to avoid conflict instead of honoring your truth dilutes your power and energy. Your business exists to serve others, but not at the cost of your authenticity. Seeking approval ties your energy to others.

What it looks like: People-pleasing. Approval-seeking. Comparing and competing. Taking on others feelings or actions. Bending your boundaries, saying “yes” when your body or intuition say “no”. Letting engagement, sales, conversions or feedback define your confidence worth. You need constant external validation that you’re “successful" or "doing it right.” You constantly question your niche, your voice, your timing, your entire existence.

The antidote: Observe, don't absorb. Trust your inner wisdom. Anchor into your purpose, not your performance. Bring your energy back to yourself. Lead from alignment, not applause. Stay in your lane. Curate your feed. Build your business for depth and alignment, not likes.

Your breakthrough will come when you finally stop fearing the future and area ready to leave the past behind.

Wrapping It Up

Feeling seen and called out for these "sinful" acts? You are not alone. Every entrepreneur wrestles with these habits at some point. But the path of sustainable success isn’t paved by working harder—it’s built on awareness, alignment, and courageous course-correction.

Which self-sabotaging habit do you resonate with most, and what small shift can you make today to move towards progress?

Clear your energy. Calm your nervous system. Free yourself. Let go of shame, guilt or other negative projections and frequencies dampening your Chi. Stay neutral to the flow of life. If you're holding subconscious resistance in the body, name it. Bring it into the light to take away its power and loosen its grip."

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Erin Ratliff is a holistic, organic growth + visibility business coach and consultant serving energy-sensitive soul-preneurs, heart-led self-starters with the mission of personal and planetary healing.

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