This weekend, we’re having house guests—an old friend and a new friend—and I wanted the house to look perfect. So, I pulled out our old carpet shampooer. The carpet in our dining room looked awful and I wanted to freshen it up. I still can't believe anyone ever thought carpet where you eat was a good idea!

I started shampooing… and it was frustrating to say the least. No matter which way I moved the machine, it only cleaned a tiny stripe in the center, leaving huge lines of filth on the carpet. I tried every direction, cleaned the bristles and the vacuum part of the machine.. I even considered buying a brand-new machine. Nothing worked.

Finally, I inspected the sprayer nozzle. It was blocked—just the tiniest of obstruction. After five seconds with a toothbrush.. BOOM—the machine worked perfectly and now the carpet looks incredible. Perfectly clean. Amazing.

And in that moment, it hit me: how often do we blame external circumstances or think we need a huge overhaul when the solution is actually a tiny tweak we’ve overlooked?

This is exactly how self-sabotage shows up in our lives—and in ways we don’t always notice. Here are some common examples:

1. Giving in too soon​
I’m currently working to lose weight and gain muscle. Admittedly, the last time I stepped on the scale I was down two pounds! Hooray! When I noticed, my first thought was, “Now I can have those cookies!" Not my greatest moment.

That’s self-sabotage in action—quitting before fully following through.

2. Avoiding conflict​
Maybe you don’t want arguments in your relationship, so instead of speaking up about a small annoyance, you wait until it becomes a huge problem. Then, of course, conflict erupts and escalates. One small tweak—addressing minor annoyances while they are still minor—could prevent so much unnecessary stress.

3. Minimizing your achievements​
You work hard, accomplish a lot, and hope others notice… but when they do, you downplay it: “It’s not that big of a deal,” or “I could have done better.” By minimizing yourself, you unintentionally block the recognition and validation you deserve.

4. Not asking for what you need​
You want your needs met, but you avoid asking for help or expressing what you want, expecting others to read your mind. When you finally allow yourself to request support and accept help, you open the door to balanced, fulfilling relationships.

5. Quitting too early​
Remember the ice cube analogy: one tiny degree above freezing is all it takes for massive change. Persistence—paired with small adjustments—creates big outcomes.

The lesson here is simple: sometimes, the barrier isn’t the situation, the people around you, or even yourself—it’s a small tweak you haven’t noticed yet. Work on that little adjustment consistently, and the results can be transformative.

So, here’s my challenge for you today:
​Ask yourself—what is one small thing I could tweak right now that would have the biggest impact on my life?

If you’re unsure or need guidance to find that tiny tweak that unlocks big results, I’d love to help you figure it out. Change is often easier than we think, and the results can surprise you. Simply reply to this email to get started.

Keep moving forward, friend. The smallest tweak might just change everything.

With warmth and encouragement,

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