57 Get Out of Your Own Way Quotes to Motivate and Inspire Change
So many of us self-sabotage before we even get started. We create a mindset that includes self-imposed limitations such as fear, doubt, or worry. We have a comfort zone that feels safe and we prefer to stay there rather than reach outside the boundaries we set in our minds.
Is this you? I know it has been me at various times in my life. We all experience self-doubt sometimes and need to take back control of our own minds again. It’s easy to fall into old habits that prevent us from doing things that are hard, or scary.
So let’s look at 57 powerful get out of your own way quotes that can motivate and inspire change. You really don’t want to stay where you are forever, right?
What Does Get Out of Your Own Way Mean?
Get out of your own way generally means that we need to put aside all the excuses and self-limiting beliefs that are preventing us from moving forward. We have to free ourselves of any anxiety that’s holding us back and let go of concerns related to ego (What are people going to think if I fail?).
These are negative thoughts that live in our heads to wreak havoc with our plans, goals, dreams, and desires. We sometimes have to stomp them out before we can move forward.
You have to challenge your inner voice to let go of the negativity. Shift your mindset so that you can move effortlessly forward. Break those mental blocks that hold you back, saying you can’t do something. This is what’s meant by get out of your own way! People also refer to it as get out of your own head.
Identify Self-Sabotaging Thoughts and Behaviors
Let’s take a quick look at some thoughts and behaviors that might be holding you back from becoming all you can be. It’s important to be able to identify which thoughts are causing a problem so you can work on them. You will need to reflect and develop a deep sense of self-awareness so you can stop the cycle.
Self-Sabotaging Thoughts and Behaviors:
- procrastination
- perfectionism
- fear of failure
- overthinking
- imposter syndrome
- self-doubt
- worry
- self-limiting beliefs
- anxiety
- staying in your comfort zone
- you aren’t worthy
- you aren’t enough
- negative self-talk
How Do I Get Out of my Own Head?
Start by identifying the self-sabotaging thoughts that roam around in your head. Know what you are up against. Then set clear and measurable goals for yourself, taking baby steps to get there. Be consistent and build self-discipline. Challenge those thoughts that say you can’t—prove you can.
Use daily positive affirmations, such as these examples, in your journaling and meditation practices:
- I am in control of my thoughts and actions.
- I replace negative thoughts with empowering ones.
- I am resilient, resourceful, and strong. I can overcome negative thoughts.
- I am worthy and capable of achieving my goals without sabotaging myself.
- I let go of all self-destructive patterns as I embrace my inner strength.
You can also surround yourself with positive, motivating people who believe in you and want to see you reach your fullest potential. With gentle encouragement and support, you will start believing in yourself too.
There are entire books devoted to helping you get out of your head so you can move forward. But these are little steps that you can start with right here and now.
You can also use these get out of your own way quotes to inspire and motivate a change so that you are able to free yourself of those limiting beliefs—and move forward!
Top 14 Get Out of Your Own Way Quotes
These are my favorite quotes about getting out of your own way when you are preventing yourself from becoming the person you are meant to be. Think about each one and look for the deeper meaning.
1. “Don’t let the fear of what could go wrong prevent you from doing what could go right.” — Michael L. Taylor
2. “It was very humbling to realize that my worries were there just to make me miserable. It was even more humbling to realize that I was the guy who had his finger firmly pressed on the misery button. It was wonderful, though, to discover that I also had the power to quit pressing the button.” — Gay Hendricks
3. “You’ve been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” — Louise L. Hay
4. “Decide which direction you are going in and take action. One decision at a time, one moment at a time.” — Akiroq Brost
5. “Stop standing in your own way. Stop making excuses. Stop talking about why you can’t. Stop sabotaging yourself.”— Akiroq Brost
6. “Be on your own side.” — Rasheed Ogunlaru
7. “If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes — then learn how to do it later!” — Richard Branson
8. “Negative thinking is contagious. Do your best not to dwell on negativity, it will consume you and prevent you from becoming your best self.” ― Germany Kent
9. “Make sure your thoughts are moving you towards the life you want to live.” — Dr. Judy Ho
10. “Talk to yourself as you would someone you love.” — Brené Brown
11. “Life is so much easier when you stop getting in your way.” ― Kristin Barrow
12. “Our biggest enemy is our own self-doubt. We sabotage our greatness because of our fear.” ― Robin Sharma
13. “I craft most of my own tragedies without ever having even the remotest understanding that it is I myself who have done the crafting.” — Craig D. Lounsbrough
14. “You can’t imagine just how much believing in negative thoughts is affecting your life…until you stop.” ― Charles F. Glassman
More Get Out of Your Own Way Quotes
Sometimes the biggest obstacle we face is the one staring back at us in the mirror. To keep the momentum going, this collection of powerful quotes offers further perspective and inspiration about how to simply shift your mindset and get out of your own way.
15. “We are not our thoughts, we are not our feelings, we are the awareness that is aware of them.” — Deepak Chopra
16. “When people are determined, they can overcome anything.” — Nelson Mandela
17. “Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.” — Robin Sharma
18. “Choosing a path for convenience and speed is usually a recipe for mediocrity. The things that most enrich our lives usually demand a bigger investment of time and discipline.” — Gina Mohammed
19. “I struggle with expressing myself, because it does sometimes feel easier or safer not to.” — Jeff Jarvis
20. “The biggest thing holding you back is almost always… you. Start there.” — Hunter Post
21. “An excuse is nothing more than a self-imposed roadblock.” ― CC Chapman
22. “The only reason I can’t jump in and engage life is that I’ve told myself I can’t. Yet I can’t help wondering what would happen if I told myself I could?” — Craig D. Lounsbrough
23. “With the same habits, you’ll end with up with the same results. But with better habits, anything is possible.” — James Clear
Self-Sabotage Quotes: Get Out of Your Own Way
Self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviors can dim your light and negatively impact your happiness and growth. Don’t let that happen—you have too much to give to the world!
24. “Nothing will sabotage our happiness and success more thoroughly than the fear that we are not enough.” — Bill Crawford
25. “Make sure you’re not sabotaging something that has the potential to be fruitful and great.” — Alex Elle
26. “One of the first steps in addressing self-sabotaging behaviors is identifying them.” —Jennifer Chain
27. “Procrastination is, hands down, our favorite form of self-sabotage.” — Alyce Cornyn-Selby
28. “The most dangerous way we sabotage ourselves is by waiting for the perfect moment to begin. Nothing works perfectly the first time, or the first fifty times. Everything has a learning curve. The beginning is just that – a beginning. Surrender your desire to do it flawlessly on the first try. It’s not possible. Learn to learn. Learn to fail. Learn to learn from failing.” — Vironika Tugaleva
29. “If you don’t believe in yourself, somewhere or another, you sabotage yourself.” — Jason Day
30. “Fear can sabotage your everything…Quiet this voice now and live.” ― Christine E. Szymanski
31. “Just imagine how much you’d get done if you stopped sabotaging your own work.” —Seth Godin
10 Mel Robbins Quotes to Get You Out of Your Own Way
Mel Robbins is a leading voice in changing your mindset to change your life. She is a self-help expert who created the Let Them Theory that has helped millions of people change their lives. Check out her book, “The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool that Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About.” These are 10 of her most helpful quotes about changing your mindset and letting go of those pesky negative thoughts that get in your way.
32. “Your problem isn’t ideas. Your problem is you don’t act on them. You kill them.”
33. “Your life and your dreams are your responsibility. If you don’t prioritize them, nobody will.”
34. “Small things are not small at all. They are the most important things of all. And they add up.”
35. “If you want to make your dreams come true, get ready for the long game.”
36. “Start before you’re ready. Don’t prepare, begin.”
37. “You need to hear this loud and clear: No one is coming. It is up to you.”
38. “You Are One Decision Away from a Completely Different Life”
39. “You have been assigned this mountain so that you can show others it can be moved.”
40. “I was the problem and in five seconds, I could push myself and become the solution.”
41. “The time is now. Stop hitting the snooze button on your life.”
Philosophical Get Out of Your Own Way Quotes
These quotes might be a bit deeper than some of the others, so put on your thinking cap and reflect on the meaning of each one. You’ll gain more perspective about getting out of your own way.
42. “Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts.” —Buddha
43. “You are far too smart to be the only thing standing in your way.” — Emma Kate Dawson
44. “You have power over your mind―not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” ― Marcus Aurelius
45. “The inner struggle you feel should not be viewed as conflict but as creative tension to help move you forward.” — Jennifer A. Williams
46. “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” ― Siddhārtha Gautama
47. “Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence.” ― Dalai Lama
Comfort Zone: Step Outside the Box Quotes
Choosing to stay in your comfort zone, or inside your box, holds you back and gets in your way because it prevents growth. Think about your comfort zone and how many times you’ve been afraid to step outside your box. Don’t let fear get in your way.
48. “Self-doubt does more to sabotage individual potential than all external limitations put together.” — Brian Tracy
49. “As you move outside of your comfort zone, what was once the unknown and frightening becomes your new normal.” — Robin Sharma
50. “Sometimes we have to step out of our comfort zones. We have to break the rules. And we have to discover the sensuality of fear. We need to face it, challenge it, dance with it.” — Kyra Davis
51. “To succeed in life, we must stay within our strength zone but continually move outside our comfort zone.” — John C. Maxwell
52. “A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” — John A. Shedd
53. “I will guarantee you that the day you step outside your comfort zone by making success your goal is the day you discover that adversity, risk, and daring will make life sweeter than you ever imagined.” — Mark Burnett
54. “Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” — Brian Tracy
55. “Do one thing every day that scares you.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
56. “Whenever you feel uncomfortable, instead of retreating back into your old comfort zone, pat yourself on the back and say, ‘I must be growing,’ and continue moving forward.” — T. Harv Eker
57. “True self-discovery begins where your comfort zone ends.” — Adam Braun
How to Use These Quotes
Simply reading an inspirational quote is the first step, but the real power comes from turning that wisdom into action. Don’t just browse this list—use it as a toolkit for overcoming procrastination, overthinking, self-doubt, and the tendency to get in your own way.
Turn Inspiration into Action
- Adopt a Quote as Your Mantra: Choose one or two quotes that resonate most strongly with your current struggle. Write them on sticky notes, set them as your phone background, or repeat them silently. When you feel yourself stalling, use your chosen quote as a mental cue to push forward.
- Identify Your Obstacle: Before rereading the quotes, name the specific way you are “getting in your own way”—is it perfectionism, fear of failure, or overthinking? Then, look for the quote that speaks directly to that obstacle and use it as an immediate counter-argument to your negative self-talk.
- Journal for Deeper Insight: Pick a quote and write about it for five minutes. Ask yourself: “How does this quote apply to my life right now?” or “What single action could I take today that would prove this quote true?” This process turns a passive thought into an active commitment to change.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let anything we’ve discussed here get in your way of doing great things. Use these quotes to inspire and motivate you to let go of the crazy thoughts and behaviors that keep getting in your way. You can do this, sassy friend! I’ve got confidence in you! 💜
Pin to your Sassy Sister Stuff Board for Inspiration Whenever You Need It!
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Love to ALL! ~ Susan
