Author: Ulwyn Pierre

When we speak about self-sabotaging habits, we’re typically focusing on areas such as procrastination, over-eating, drug and alcohol abuse, hiding our emotions or being in dysfunctional romantic relationships. My intent with this article, is to focus less on the main stream habits and redirect our thinking to those areas that aren’t typically thought about or discussed.

For the past 25+ years, I have been working and speaking with high achievers from all walks of life who have displayed types of self-sabotaging habits. These habits not only have a negative impact on themselves and their effectiveness, but also cause harm and demise to those in their orbit. Their orbit includes those who they lead, serve, as well as had a say in their career progression and success.

It is critical that we are cognizant of our thoughts, perspectives, limiting-beliefs, opinions, isms that unconsciously have a negative and many times debilitating impact on our quality of life. We owe it to ourselves and others to be responsible for our own self-sabotaging actions and/or non-actions. In turn, keeping silent in the face of negative behavior, is just as bad as having the habit yourself.

When a habit is demonstrated deliberately or even unwittingly, it still leaves you as well as others to be a victim of your actions and can ultimately lead to serious negative consequences. So here is an example of a self-sabotaging habit, that is not typically discussed or addressed.

This blog comes as a 5-part series. As you read through each of them, read with heartfelt honesty and reflection, and discern if you see your behavior and actions in any of them, because “when you know better … you do better” (Mya Angelou).

Not reaching out for guidance, even more so the RIGHT guidance, when needed.

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them” (Albert Einstein). For too many, reaching out for guidance is typically seen as a weakness. But it takes a strong and courageous individual to recognize when they need assistance. It takes an even stronger and more purpose driven individual to take positive action (whatever it takes) and reach out for guidance. However, to fully resolve their circumstance and move forward in the correct direction for their life and career, it is necessary to get the RIGHT guidance.

What is the RIGHT guidance? It is the assistance needed that will get you the results that are the most beneficial to you, depending on your situation or circumstance. For instance, you may have challenges with your business taxes, and you heard that Mr. Jones is the “best accountant in town” and you hire him, only to realize he doesn’t specialize in business taxes. You have reached out for guidance, but not the RIGHT guidance. The RIGHT guidance would be the “best accountant in town” who specializes in business taxes.

The beautiful reality that is normally kept under wraps, is that you were born with all you need to be successful. You are a limitless and an unstoppable human being, and what is needed from you, is to re-awaken your innate genius and powerful assets.  If you are not making that happen, then you need to get the RIGHT assistance to make that your reality.  You owe it you to be your masterpiece.

Don’t let these self-sabotaging habits rob you of being your best self. So, live authentically and full out, celebrate your successes, love boldly, and serve genuinely, Respect the freedom of others, and, of course, have fun doing it.  It is a Win-Win Combination.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains,
but to live in a way that respects and enhances [your freedom and]
the freedom of others.”
~ Nelson Mandela

(Part 2 of 5)

When we speak about self-sabotaging habits, we’re typically focusing on areas such as procrastination, over-eating, drug and alcohol abuse, hiding our emotions or being in dysfunctional romantic relationships. My intent with this article, is to focus less on the main stream habits and redirect our thinking to those areas that aren’t typically thought about or discussed.

For the past 25+ years, I have been working and speaking with high achievers from all walks of life who have displayed types of self-sabotaging habits. These habits not only have a negative impact on themselves and their effectiveness, but also cause harm and demise to those in their orbit. Their orbit includes those who they lead, serve, as well as had a say in their career progression and success.

It is critical that we are cognizant of our thoughts, perspectives, limiting-beliefs, opinions, isms that unconsciously have a negative and many times debilitating impact on our quality of life. We owe it to ourselves and others to be responsible for our own self-sabotaging actions and/or non-actions. In turn, keeping silent in the face of negative behavior, is just as bad as having the habit yourself.

When a habit is demonstrated deliberately or even unwittingly, it still leaves you as well as others to be a victim of your actions and can ultimately lead to serious negative consequences. So here is an example of a self-sabotaging habit, that is not typically discussed or addressed.

This blog comes as a 5-part series. As you read through each of them, read with heartfelt honesty and reflection, and discern if you see your behavior and actions in any of them, because “when you know better … you do better” (Mya Angelou).

Knowing and not taking action for your betterment is just as damaging, as not knowing.

“Without knowledge action is useless and knowledge without action is futile.” (Abu Bakr).  If you know how to do something that can help you and you don’t take positive action and implement it effectively, it is just as harmful as not knowing or acting as if your skill or talent doesn’t exist.  You are now a liability to you, your success, your forward movement and the success of others.

You are gifted with talent and/or have invested, time, money and resources to acquire your expertise and other positive qualities. Now you take this expertise and positive qualities and choose not to utilize them for your benefit and the benefit of others – my father would label you as being an “educated fool.”  I could vividly remember his parting words to me when I was leaving home to go to North America to study.  He said to me, very emphatically and as if it were dogma, “remember, Ulwyn it is very easy to be a fool.  It requires no effort, no expense, and you do not even have to leave Trinidad to achieve fool-hood. However, if we are going to invest our hard earn money, our resources and our time to have raised you, being an “educated fool” is not an option. You owe it to yourself to be the best at whatever you do!  So, choose now, before you take one more step forward on this journey.”  These words have been carved in my conscious and sub-conscious mind. They have been a motivating force that has driven and guided me to push past many obstacles and to be as successful as I am today.

Another example to drive this self-sabotaging habit home – not utilizing your talents and gifts is like having millions of dollars stored away, doing nothing with it, and living a life of scarcity.  You only go through life once. So, why not chose to live your life full out, cause positive ripple effects and leave the world a better place as a result of you being given or having the privilege to be born and occupy space on this planet?

Don’t let these self-sabotaging habits rob you of being your best self. So, live authentically and full out, celebrate your successes, love boldly, and serve genuinely, Respect the freedom of others, and, of course, have fun doing it.  It is a Win-Win Combination.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains,
but to live in a way that respects and enhances [your freedom and]
the freedom of others.”
~ Nelson Mandela

(Part 1 of 5)

Why name my company “Embracing Freedom Global” you ask? Let me tell you…

The name “Embracing Freedom” is not only a company name, but also used as a recurring concept that is based on “The Paradox of ‘The Box’” theory.

I was taught that living life “In the Box” or in your comfort zone, is living a limited life.  It is also typically taught that one should live life “Outside the Box” so they are not limited. However, I have learned that living “outside the box” still allows limits to be imposed on oneself because “The Box” still exists.  So, because of this reality, I have operated with a keen knowingness that True Innate Freedom is where there is “No Box.”

Likewise, I firmly believe that freedom is a right and not a gift.  Therefore, I owe it to myself to exercise that right, which very few of us choose.  Instead, most of us unwittingly give it up to society’s definition of success, accompanied trappings, norms, values, isms, which leave us being held hostage, and a victim of our circumstance.  Because of this, we are left with angst in our soul, disappointed and unfulfilled, wanting something more meaningful than the successes we have achieved.

Unfortunately, we continue to look for the freedom we crave outside of ourselves, only to pivot into more pain and into some other option we believe will get us to that freedom. Inadvertently, we are still being guided by society’s definition of success and other external trappings.

This way of living is growing at epidemic proportions, to the extent that more than 90% of people (globally) die, with regret that their unique inner song is still trapped within them. For me, it is mandatory we break this cycle of discontent, frustration and not let our story (our life) be part of this statistic.

I heartfully believe that since one of our innate gifts, as human beings, is freedom of choice, it is vitally important that we claim ownership of our life and be in the driver’s seat, deciding on our destination and the path we are going to take.

As a result, my life’s work is focused on guiding others to embrace and live a life where there is “no box” and to uncover their unique gifts and inner genius that they never knew existed or unwittingly ignored, thereby claiming their innate freedom. Hence my company’s name “Embracing Freedom Global.”

When you work with me, you re-story your life, breaking free of “the box” and by embracing your innate freedom, you get to be your best self and live your best life now.  In this way, you cause a positive and life changing ripple effect on the lives of others and their business/career, compelling them to live now “on Purpose” and “on Legacy,” thus leaving indelible footprints for generations to come.

It is incumbent on us to be the positive change we want to see in ourselves and in a world, that so desperately needs us.

The change starts in you and with you. It is your life, so choose your best life!