If you really want to become a high-quality person, say goodbye to these 8 habits

We all admire people who seem to radiate confidence, empathy, and integrity—individuals who make a lasting impact simply by being themselves. But what sets these high-quality people apart?

It’s not just about adopting positive habits; it’s also about recognizing the negative ones that may be holding us back.

Becoming a better version of yourself means more than adding good traits—it requires letting go of the behaviors that undermine your potential. As author James Clear reminds us, “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”

In this article, we’ll uncover eight habits that may be standing between you and the person you truly want to be.

Ready to level up?

Let’s get started.

1) Procrastination

There’s no denying it; we all fall prey to procrastination at some point.

But here’s the thing.

High-quality people recognize the cost of putting things off for later.

Procrastination is the enemy of productivity and success. It’s like a thief that sneaks in and steals your precious time, leaving you with stress, overwhelm, and a backlog of tasks. Worse yet, it’s linked to anxiety and low self-esteem. 

What separates high-quality individuals from the rest is their ability to take immediate action. They understand that time is a non-renewable resource and treat it as such.

So if you’re serious about becoming a high-quality person, it’s time to kiss procrastination goodbye. Every minute you waste today is a minute you won’t get back tomorrow. So make it count. Start now, not later.

2) Negativity

I’ll be the first to admit, it’s incredibly easy to fall into the negativity trap. I’ve been there myself.

There was a time when I’d start my day scanning the news, only to be bombarded with negative headlines. It would set the tone for my day and I found myself constantly in a state of pessimism.

Then, I realized something. High-quality individuals don’t dwell in negativity. They focus on solutions, not problems. They see opportunities, not obstacles.

So I made a conscious decision to change my morning routine. Instead of starting my day with news, I started it with gratitude.

Listing three things I was thankful for each morning shifted my perspective from negative to positive.

The change was remarkable. Not only did I feel more optimistic, but I also noticed an improvement in my overall productivity and relationships.

The point?

Bid farewell to negativity. Start your day on a positive note and strive to maintain that positivity throughout the day. Trust me, it makes a world of difference.

3) Gossiping

Did you know that on average, people spend about 52 minutes a day gossiping? That’s nearly an hour a day spent on talking about others, often in a negative light.

High-quality individuals understand that gossiping is not just a waste of time, but can also be harmful to relationships and personal growth.

They value meaningful conversations and choose to engage in discussions that are constructive and uplifting.

Gossiping creates a toxic environment. It’s like a contagious disease that spreads negativity and mistrust.

On the other hand, engaging in positive and meaningful conversations can foster better relationships, improve morale, and promote personal growth.

4) Overcommitting

The allure of saying “yes” to everything is real. We often fear missing out or disappointing others, leading us to overcommit ourselves.

High-quality individuals, however, understand the value of their time and energy. They know that by trying to do everything, they end up not doing anything well.

Rather than spreading themselves too thin, they prioritize their commitments. They’re not afraid to say “no” when something doesn’t align with their values or goals.

Every time you say “yes” to something insignificant, you’re saying “no” to something important. Don’t overcommit – prioritize instead.

5) Holding onto grudges

We all have been hurt at some point in our lives. It’s easy to hold onto grudges, to let the pain shape our actions and thoughts.

But it’s simply not a healthy way to live. Holding onto grudges only fills our hearts with bitterness and blocks our happiness.

Letting go is not about forgetting or allowing others to mistreat us again. It’s about freeing ourselves from the chains of resentment and anger. It’s about choosing peace over bitterness.

This is actually backed up by experts. As the folks at the Mayo Clinic have noted, forgiveness can lead to happier relationships and improved mental health. 

It’s time to let go of those grudges. Choose forgiveness. Choose peace. Life is too short to waste on hatred and resentment. Instead, fill your heart with love and compassion.

6) Avoiding difficult conversations

I used to shy away from difficult conversations. The fear of conflict, of saying the wrong thing, of causing discomfort – it all felt too overwhelming. I’d often choose silence over confrontation.

But over time, I realized that this avoidance was doing more harm than good. Important issues were left unresolved, relationships strained, personal growth stunted.

High-quality individuals understand the importance of engaging in difficult conversations. They see them as opportunities for growth and resolution, not as something to be feared.

7) Living in the past

We all have moments in our past that we wish we could change. Mistakes we’ve made, opportunities we’ve missed, things we’ve said or done that we regret.

Dwelling on these moments, however, can hold us back from moving forward.

The past cannot be changed. To really move forward, we need to learn from our mistakes and use them as stepping stones towards a better future.

We need to focus on the present and what we can do now to improve their tomorrow.

8) Neglecting self-care

We often get so caught up in our responsibilities that we forget to take care of ourselves.

But the truth is we can’t pour from an empty cup. 

As noted by experts like those at Choosing Therapy, self-care is associated with happier relationships, improved productivity, better self-esteem, and increased happiness.

I think we can all agree that these are key to being a high-quality person. When we neglect our own well-being, we limit our ability to show up fully for others and pursue our best selves.

Simple acts like taking that walk outside, setting aside time to read a book, getting enough sleep, or even saying “no” to draining commitments can recharge your mental and physical energy.

If you want to elevate who you are, prioritize self-care—it’s not selfish, it’s essential.

The essence: Transformation is a choice

At the heart of becoming a high-quality person is the will to choose. It’s about choosing better habits, healthier mindsets, and more constructive behaviors.

Each one of us, inherently, has the potential to be a high-quality individual. It’s not about where you come from or what you’ve done in the past; it’s about the choices you make today and every day henceforth.

However, bidding goodbye to detrimental habits is not merely a one-time act. It’s a continuous process of choosing excellence over mediocrity, positivity over negativity, growth over stagnation.

So as you reflect on these habits, remember this: Transformation is a choice, and it begins with you. Who do you choose to be?