424 The 6 Saboteurs Destroying Your Self-Control (And How to Beat Them) with Eric Zimmer424 The 6 Saboteurs Destroying Your Self-Control (And How to Beat Them) with Eric Zimmer
The One Day At A Time Recovery Podcast
Arlina Allen and Eric Zimmer talk about why small, consistent actions matter more than dramatic breakthroughs and outline six common saboteurs of self-control. The conversation focuses on practical tools for maintaining sobriety, reducing self-criticism, and building a more meaningful life over time.
1:02:35•2 Apr 2026
Beating the 6 Saboteurs of Self-Control with Eric Zimmer
Episode Overview
- Real change often comes from low-resistance actions repeated over time, not dramatic breakthroughs.
- Progress in sobriety is rarely linear; counting what is going right builds motivation far better than all-or-nothing grading.
- Noticing the six saboteurs of self-control makes it easier to interrupt unhelpful patterns in the moment.
- Directing attention and reframing a situation can shift you from short-term comfort to long-term values.
- Simple visual systems, like adding a marble for every sober day, can make invisible progress feel real and encouraging.
“"A little bit of something is better than a lot of nothing."”
What can we learn from those who have battled addiction? This conversation between host Arlina Allen and guest Eric Zimmer digs into why change feels so hard, even when you desperately want it, and why tiny, almost boring actions are actually your secret weapon. Eric, host of *The One You Feed* and long-time member of the recovery community, talks about his book *How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life*.
He shares the unforgettable story of Dashrat Manji, the man who spent years quietly chiselling a path through a mountain with just a hammer and chisel. It’s the perfect picture of recovery and personal growth: "Little by little, a little becomes a lot." You’ll hear why most people overestimate dramatic breakthroughs and underestimate repetition, why sobriety rarely happens in a straight line, and how harsh all-or-nothing thinking ("either 100% abstinent or a total failure") crushes motivation.
Eric explains how to focus on progress instead, telling the story of a client who put a marble in a jar for every sober day so she could literally see success building up over time. The heart of the chat covers Eric’s "six saboteurs" that wreck self-control at critical moments: autopilot behaviour, exhaustion, short-term thinking, emotional escape, self-doubt and the belief that small actions don’t matter.
He pairs each one with simple, practical ideas you can actually use, like interrupting phone habits, reframing discomfort, and aiming for "low resistance actions done consistently over time in the same direction." Whether you’re early in sobriety, rebuilding after relapse, or a sober entrepreneur trying to move from survival to thriving, this conversation offers both compassion and a workable structure for change. Which tiny action could you start today that future you will thank you for?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.
Related Episodes
Similar episodes from other shows in the catalogue.