We Asked Arianna Huffington for Tips to Stop Self-Sabotage and Build Healthy Relationships
Of course you want to succeed – who doesn't? But there's this teeny tiny part inside each one of us that – for some reason or another – doesn't want to. This behavior is called self-sabotage.
Arianna Huffington, writer, motivator, CEO of wellness company Thrive Global and co-founder of The Huffington Post, is undoubtedly successful. And she recognizes how easy it is to both sabotage ourselves and our relationships.
Huffington is leading the charge against smartphones and social media – both of which can deprive us of sleep, encourage procrastination and cause us to ignore those closest to us.
The thing is, those closest to us are our best weapon to stop self-sabotaging ourselves.
Huffington's campaign comes at a convenient time. Facebook has come under immense scrutiny following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, causing many to #DeleteFacebook. Maybe while we take a break from Facebook for privacy reasons, we should also take a break from our smartphones altogether?
Goalcast spoke to Huffington about overcoming anxiety, self-sabotage and unplugging.
Goalcast: How do you know when your personal relationships are in trouble? What are the signs?
Arianna Huffington: Everybody’s relationships are different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all diagnosis. But since all relationships involve two parties and mutual consent, if one of you thinks there’s a problem, there’s a problem.
G: How can people overcome self-sabotage?
AH: I call that inner voice of negativity and self-sabotage the “obnoxious roommate” living in our heads. It's the one that tells you you're not good enough, you'll never succeed, who are you to be trying this? And it’s incredibly important to learn to recognize it and then ignore it. It’s not easy, but one thing that helps more than anything is surrounding myself with people who make up what I call my Thrive Tribe – people who will always be in my corner, always there for me, whether I succeed or fail.
G: What's your biggest trigger for anxiety? How can you read the signs?
AH: Sleep deprivation is a big one. And the signs are pretty easy to read: when I don’t get enough sleep, I’m more reactive, more irritable, less present and generally less joyful.
G: What's the most underrated thing people can do right now to improve their relationships?
AH: Unplug from your phone and connect more often with each other. Our screens are often like third wheels in a relationship – diverting not just our attention but also our sense of connection with each other.
G: When did you first realize that your phone was hurting your personal relationships?
AH: There was no one moment, but my realization of the phone’s impact on my life has grown in the last few years, as phones have become more sophisticated and powerful in demanding our attention.
G: Do you think companies like Facebook should limit our access to technology, or is it our responsibility to limit it ourselves?
AH: They’re not exclusive. As an increasing number of voices are pointing out, there are changes that the tech world could make that would make it easier for us to have a healthy relationship to technology. [...]
At the same time, we don’t have to wait on the Facebooks of the world to bring about the changes we need. There are choices we can make and changes we can implement that can lead to real improvements right now. We are not powerless!
One is to seek out technology – and there’s a growing amount of it – that's designed to help us create boundaries and have a healthier relationship with technology. This is going to be one of the next frontiers in technology – apps and tools that helps us use the technology in our lives to enhance our humanity.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.