What if the greatest threat to your success wasn’t external, but internal? In a powerful session at the 2024 Brilliance Virtual Event, Dionne Van Zyl tackled one of the most pervasive and underestimated obstacles that prevent entrepreneurs, leaders, and even families from reaching their full potential—self-sabotage.
According to Van Zyl, 90% of entrepreneurs unknowingly sabotage their own success, often without realizing it. This self-imposed limitation can affect businesses, relationships, and even spirituality. Understanding and breaking free from this cycle, he argues, is the key to lasting growth and transformation.
What is Self-Sabotage, and Why Do We Do It?
Self-sabotage isn’t just about making bad decisions—it’s a pattern of behavior that stems from deep-seated beliefs and learned coping mechanisms.
Van Zyl explains that many entrepreneurs, leaders, and high achievers come from chaotic environments. Research suggests that those who grew up in unstable or high-pressure situations develop a heightened ability to function in chaos. This can be an advantage in fast-moving industries, but it also creates a subconscious dependency on crisis.
When things begin to run smoothly, a deep-seated discomfort kicks in. The mind, conditioned for turbulence, reacts with self-destructive behaviors to recreate the chaos it knows how to manage. This often manifests in ways like:
- Overcomplicating success by adding unnecessary challenges.
- Procrastination or avoiding key decisions.
- Sabotaging business deals with irrational demands.
- Firing key employees for no valid reason.
- Creating personal or professional conflicts when things are stable.
One of the most striking examples Van Zyl shared was of a business owner who spent 30 years building a $50 million company, only to completely unravel a promising acquisition deal at the last minute. It wasn’t rational—it was self-sabotage born from a belief that success was undeserved.
Where Does This Pattern Come From?
Van Zyl connects this behavior to both psychology and faith, emphasizing that belief systems shape how we perceive success and self-worth.
Many entrepreneurs and leaders operate under a “poverty mindset”, shaped by early experiences and reinforced by cultural or religious teachings that condition them to feel unworthy of prosperity.
- They’ve been told they must struggle to be worthy.
- They believe success is for others, not them.
- They fear failure, so they never fully commit to success.
These subconscious fears cause hesitation, delays, and ultimately, self-sabotage. Even deeply spiritual individuals aren’t immune. In fact, Van Zyl points out that even faith-based leaders often struggle with the idea that they deserve success.
But here’s the truth: You are not meant to live in perpetual struggle.
How to Overcome Self-Sabotage: The Kingdom Solution
So, how do we break free from this cycle? Van Zyl offers a faith-based framework for overcoming self-sabotage—one that requires shifting from chaos-driven leadership to a mindset of trust and rest.
1. Exchange Chaos for Rest
One of the most radical steps to breaking the self-sabotage cycle is learning to function without chaos. Van Zyl emphasizes that success doesn’t have to be a struggle, and stability is not a sign of complacency.
In Proverbs 3:5-6, scripture reminds us:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
When leaders truly trust that they are meant to succeed, they stop manufacturing crisis moments to regain control.
2. Reject the “Not Enough” Mentality
Many high performers operate with a deep-seated belief that they aren’t enough—not smart enough, not talented enough, not worthy enough. Van Zyl urges leaders to recognize these as lies.
“Jesus didn’t just pay for you to be saved—He paid for you to be free from the belief that you don’t deserve success.”
Instead of questioning “Am I good enough?”, start asking:
“What has God placed in me to give to the world?”
“How can I step into the fullness of my calling?”
3. The Three Patterns of Self-Sabotage
Van Zyl identifies three common ways people sabotage their calling and offers insights on how to overcome each one:
1. The “Grenade Dropper” – Creating Chaos
👉 What it looks like: Things start going well, so you unconsciously create problems—breaking relationships, undoing progress, or making reckless business decisions.
✅ The fix: Recognize your tendency to stir up problems when things are calm. Actively embrace stability and trust that success doesn’t have to be accompanied by struggle.
2. The “Staller” – Procrastination & Excuses
👉 What it looks like: You delay decisions, tell yourself “I’ll do it next year,” or let fear keep you stuck in analysis paralysis.
✅ The fix: Take immediate action. Faith requires movement, and waiting for the perfect conditions is often just fear disguised as wisdom.
3. The “Opt-Out” – Walking Away from Destiny
👉 What it looks like: You feel unworthy, overwhelmed, or doubtful, so you remove yourself from opportunities before you even start.
✅ The fix: Commit fully. Stop waiting until you’re ‘ready’—you already have everything you need to step into your calling.
4. Shift from Self-Drive to Partnership
One of the most transformational ideas Van Zyl presents is the concept of co-leading with God. Instead of being self-driven, leaders should move toward partnership.
- Ask: “Lord, what do you want to do with me?”
- Seek alignment with God’s plans instead of trying to force your own.
- Trust that you are fully equipped for the journey ahead.
When leaders shift their mindset from striving alone to partnering with God, they move from survival mode to abundance mode.
Are You Ready to Break Free?
Self-sabotage is one of the most destructive yet overlooked barriers to success. Whether in business, relationships, or personal growth, many people are stuck in cycles of crisis and limitation without realizing they are the ones fueling it.
By recognizing these patterns and choosing trust over fear, rest over chaos, and faith over doubt, leaders can step into the full potential of their calling.
So, ask yourself:
👉 Are you unknowingly sabotaging your success?
👉 What is one step you can take today to break free from the cycle?
👉 Are you ready to embrace the success you were meant for?
Don’t miss this game-changing conversation. Listen to the full podcast here: Are you in danger of sabotage?
For more insights and leadership strategies from Dionne Van Zyl, visit dionnevanzyl.com.