If you want to be successful but don’t know where to start, say goodbye to these 6 habits

Starting a journey toward success often feels like standing at the base of a mountain, unsure where to place your first step. 

Our natural instinct is to add things – more habits, more productivity, more busyness – but as someone who’s spent years exploring mindfulness and self-improvement.

I’ve seen how letting go of certain behaviors is arguably more important in paving the way to a more focused and fulfilling life.

Ever wonder why, despite your best intentions, success seems just out of reach? It might not be about doing more, but about doing less of what’s holding you back.

Let’s explore the habits you need to say goodbye to—starting now.

1) Procrastination

We’ve all been there, intending to start on a task or a project, only to find ourselves distracted and delaying the work that needs to be done.

Procrastination has a way of making everything more difficult. It adds unnecessary stress, pushes deadlines, and ultimately affects the quality of our work. In short, it holds us back from reaching our full potential.

Worst of all, it makes us unhappy. Experts even say that it’s linked to depression.

Alice Boyes, Ph.D, a researcher, wrote in a Psychology Today post, “People who deal with stress by putting problems in their ‘too hard basket’ are more vulnerable to getting depressed.”

Saying goodbye to procrastination means embracing action. It means taking on tasks immediately instead of pushing them off to a later date. This doesn’t just apply to work, but also to personal goals and dreams.

I know it’s easier said than done, but remember what Benjamin Disraeli aptly noted: “Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.”

Start acting on your plans today and see how much closer it brings you to success.

2) Self-doubting

Another habit that can hold us back from success is self-doubt.

I’ve personally grappled with this one. When I was first starting Hack Spirit, there were countless times when I questioned myself. Was my idea good enough? Did I have what it took to build a successful platform?

These doubts nearly stopped me from pursuing my passion. But over time, I learned to combat these negative thoughts with positivity and self-belief.

Self-doubt is a mental trap that can lead to a lack of confidence and low self-esteem. It can prevent you from taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone, which are both crucial on the path to success.

When you find yourself doubting your abilities, remind yourself of your past achievements, no matter how small they may be. Use them as fuel to continue pushing forward.

3) Egoism

Don’t get me wrong, having a healthy level of self-esteem is vital for success. But when it crosses over into egoism, it can hinder our growth.

A big ego can make us resistant to feedback, prevent us from learning from our mistakes, and can even strain our relationships. It creates a false sense of superiority and leads to a lack of empathy for others.

Take a step back, evaluate your actions, and always stay grounded. Success isn’t just about achieving personal goals; it’s also about growing as an individual. And part of that growth involves keeping our egos in check.

4) Neglecting mental health

Stress, anxiety, and depression all hinder our productivity and creativity. They can impact our decision-making abilities and our overall performance.

It’s crucial to understand that success isn’t just about professional achievements but also about maintaining a healthy state of mind.

Experts emphasize the importance of self-care in managing mental health.

It’s been linked to a host of benefits, like lower stress, improved self-esteem, lower risk of burnout, and higher productivity. If these aren’t included in the recipe for success, I don’t know what are!

But what do we mean by self-care?

Well, it’s different for everyone, but it could include taking short breaks during work, practicing mindfulness, or seeking professional help when needed. 

5) Avoiding failure

This one might seem a bit counter-intuitive, but avoiding failure can actually be a habit that prevents us from succeeding.

You see, many of us fear failure so much that we don’t even try. We stick to what we know and never venture out of our comfort zones.

But here’s the thing: failure is not the opposite of success. It’s part of it. Every failure comes with valuable lessons that can guide us on our journey to success. It’s through failing that we learn and grow.

Consider adopting a mindset like Thomas Edison’s. He said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Instead of avoiding failures, embrace them. Treat every failure as a stepping stone toward your goal. Learn from them and use them as motivation to push forward.

6) Neglecting personal relationships

Last but not least, in our quest for success, we often forget the importance of maintaining strong and healthy personal relationships. We may get so absorbed in our work that we neglect the people who matter the most to us.

Our friends, family, and loved ones provide emotional support, encouragement, and motivation. They are our cheerleaders in times of success and our pillars of strength during challenging periods.

Ignoring these relationships can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can hinder our journey to success.

Nurture your relationships. Success isn’t just about professional achievements; it’s also about enjoying those achievements with the ones you love.

Final thoughts: Success is a journey

Success is not just about reaching a destination but also about the journey we take to get there. It’s about growing, learning, and constantly improving ourselves.

Each of the habits we’ve discussed serves as a barrier on this journey. They hold us back, preventing us from reaching our full potential.

But by recognizing and letting go of these habits, we can make significant strides toward success.

Embrace the process, learn from your mistakes, nurture your relationships, take care of your mental health, keep your ego in check, and always strive for balance. These are the keys to a successful life.

And remember, success is not just about what you achieve but who you become in the process.