[certeoun]

> Don't ignore your dreams; don't work too much; say what you think; cultivate friendships; be happy.

which I then put at the top of the file I use as a todo list.

This is a good memento. It's very easy to fall victim to self-fulfilling prophecies, negative thought cycles and the like. Hard to escape from them, but as Paul argues, you ought to change your environment and life. Get out of a rut to change your perspective. Recharge, reframe to combat unconstructive thoughts preventing you from thinking clearly and getting ahead in life.

Consider also cognitive behavioral therapy to unlearn self-sabotaging behavior.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_behavioral_therapy

Consider also Stoic philosophy. Stop worrying so much about things outside your control. ;)