[quote="Rainer Burmeister"]
Quote Originally Posted by converse
She advises the reader to keep a list of "Thing-Sabotage Factors" and a "Countersabotage Actions List" (together with other lists). These lists can help you to identify your "toxic" things and to keep your negative habits at bay.

Rainer
This description sounded a little 'new agey' and I almost ignored it.

But, I've just worked through the lists - its frightning just how much sabotage I have. I've added a column called 'triggers' and one called 'source'. Now I have eg:

Sabotage Factor: Over research when preparing an article in a subject I already know well - technical books / internet etc
Psychological Trigger: Doubt (about my knowledge in a specific area)
Psychological Source: Perfectionism
Counter-sabotage: Write article outline from what I know now. Notice the 80% I have done well (usually!). Identify 20% 'weak' areas - focus research on these therefore cutting research time.

Somehow facing my doubts and knowing that they are just 'perfection's calling card' is very powerful. I tried this out yesterday and did an article that would normally take a day in just 3 hours!