Exploring the Inborn Sabotaging Trait: An Insightful Conversation with Dr. Philip Agrios
In a recent episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, we had the pleasure of engaging with Dr. Philip Agrios, a self-professed "self-sabotage specialist" and business consultant. Dr. Agrios shared his fascinating journey from being a chiropractor to discovering what he terms the "inborn sabotaging trait," a biological characteristic that he argues is responsible for self-sabotage across various aspects of life.
Introducing Dr. Philip Agrios
Dr. Agrios spent over three decades as a chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner, specializing in thyroid and autoimmune diseases. Throughout his career, he stumbled upon a simple yet powerful trait that influences self-sabotaging behaviors. Rather than undermining us, this trait acts as a protective mechanism, guarding us from the pain of failure or even success. Dr. Agrios's work focuses on helping individuals understand and manage this trait to unlock their full potential.
Understanding the Saboteur
During our discussion, Dr. Agrios elaborated on the concept of the "inborn sabotaging trait." This trait does not work against us but instead serves as a defense mechanism. He explained that many of us sabotage ourselves because achieving and sustaining success can be more painful than reverting to familiar patterns. By recognizing this trait and using what he developed as the TENNile Method or "The Now Method," individuals can learn to turn off their self-sabotage and foster growth.
Self-Sabotage: A Form of Protection
Dr. Agrios provided compelling examples of how this trait manifests, often protecting individuals from potential pain. For instance, he shared how some people might over-talk or become scattered as a defense mechanism in sales or personal interactions. By understanding and balancing this trait using "antidotes," individuals can avoid counterproductive behaviors and achieve their desired outcomes.
The Six Sequences of Human Behavior
One of Dr. Agrios's significant contributions is identifying three basic traits—directing, supplying, and communicating—that, when sequenced, result in six distinct types of human behavior. Each person exhibits a protective sequence made up of a superpower, a mediator, and the inborn sabotaging trait. By decoding this sequence, Dr. Agrios claims he can predict behaviors and interactions, providing valuable insights for personal and professional relationships.
The Path to Growth and Understanding
Throughout our conversation, Dr. Agrios emphasized the importance of understanding that adversity is an opportunity for evolution. By embracing this perspective, individuals can shift from a mindset of self-criticism to one of self-compassion and growth. He noted that recognizing and working with the inborn sabotaging trait can lead to profound changes in both personal and professional realms.
Navigating Personal and Professional Challenges
Dr. Agrios underscored that personal and professional lives are intertwined, affected by the use of one's sabotaging trait. He illustrated this point with anecdotes of clients whose professional relationships improved dramatically once they understood and adjusted their behavior sequences.
Addressing Common Parental Challenges
The discussion also touched on parenting challenges, such as children’s addictive behavior towards video games. Dr. Agrios advocated for a compassionate understanding of children’s protective mechanisms, urging parents not to take these behaviors personally but rather to find ways to connect and support their children constructively.
Conclusion
Dr. Agrios's insights into self-sabotage and human behavior offer a new lens through which to view and improve our lives. By recognizing and balancing our inherent traits, he argues, we can unlock new potentials and foster a healthier relationship with ourselves.
For those interested in learning more about Dr. Agrios's work and approaches, he provides various programs and resources aimed at both individuals and businesses. You can explore his methods and tools at his website, the T Now Method, and delve deeper into understanding how to transcend adversity with compassion and balance.
