If you want to be successful but struggle to get motivated, say goodbye to these 6 habits

We’ve all had those days where motivation feels just out of reach. You set ambitious goals, but somehow, taking action feels like a daunting task.

Maybe you’ve blamed it on a lack of willpower or told yourself that success just isn’t in the cards. But what if the problem isn’t your motivation at all, but rather the habits standing in its way?

Success isn’t just about working harder or waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s about recognizing and shedding the habits that drain your energy and derail your focus.  

In this article, we’ll explore six such habits that might be holding you back from unlocking your true potential.

Let’s dive in.

1) Procrastination

We’ve all been there. That project or task you should start now, but you decide to put off until later.

Procrastination is the arch-nemesis of motivation. It’s a silent habit that sneaks up on us with the promise of ‘later’, but often leads to a pile-up of tasks and a subsequent drop in motivation.

The more you delay, the more overwhelming the task seems, and the harder it becomes to muster up the energy to get started, right?  It’s no surprise that researchers have noted that it is “associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress”. 

Breaking free from the clutches of procrastination is crucial if you want to maintain motivation and achieve success. Start by setting small, manageable goals and focusing on progress rather than perfection. 

Tackle tasks one step at a time, and before you know it, you’re on your way to success.

But remember that overcoming procrastination is a journey, not a race. Don’t beat yourself up if you slip up. Just pick yourself up and keep going. 

2) Negative self-talk

I used to be my own harshest critic. Every little mistake would send me spiraling into a sea of self-doubt and negative self-talk.

“I’m not good enough”, “I can’t do this”, and “I’m a failure” – these phrases became my constant companions, draining my motivation and holding me back from reaching my goals. Sound familiar?

Well, one day, I realized how damaging this habit was. I was sabotaging my own success with my negativity. I decided to change.

I started replacing negative thoughts with positive affirmations. I began to celebrate my small victories instead of dwelling on my failures. And guess what?

My motivation soared.

If you’re stuck in a cycle of negative self-talk like I was, it’s time to break free. Start talking to yourself like you would to your best friend. Be kind, be supportive, and watch how your motivation levels rise.

3) Lack of physical activity

This is a huge one. 

As noted by Healthline, regular exercise has a host of benefits, including a boost in mood, added confidence, stress relief, and more energy. I think we can all agree that it’s a lot easier to be motivated when feeling our best, confident, energized selves. That’s what exercise can do for us!

It might sound like a big ask, but if you’ve been spending too much time sitting at a desk or lazing on the couch, it might be time to get moving.

Start small. Even a short walk can do wonders for your motivation levels. It’s not about becoming a fitness fanatic overnight but rather incorporating more movement into your day-to-day life.

4) Multitasking

In our fast-paced world, multitasking may seem like the ultimate skill for productivity. But in reality, it’s a motivation killer.

When you try to do multiple things at once, your attention is divided, and you end up being a lot less productive. Some experts suggest it’s up to 40% less productive!

It goes without saying that this can lead to frustration and a decrease in motivation.

Instead, try focusing on one task at a time. Give it your full attention before moving on to the next one.

You’ll find that you complete tasks more efficiently and effectively, leading to a sense of accomplishment that fuels your motivation.

5) Forgetting self-care

When was the last time you truly took time for yourself? In the hustle to achieve success, it’s easy to forget about taking care of our physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

But let me tell you something, success is not worth sacrificing your health over. You cannot pour from an empty cup. If you’re constantly running on fumes, your motivation will inevitably take a hit.

The point?

Make self-care a priority. As noted by the folks at Choosing Therapy, it can lead to increased happiness, improved productivity, and a lower risk of burnout. Sounds good, right?

6) Perfectionism

I used to think that if I wasn’t doing something perfectly, I wasn’t doing it right. This mindset turned every task into a daunting mountain, paralyzing me from taking action.

My quest for perfection was crippling my motivation. It bred fear of failure and kept me stuck in a cycle of procrastination.

But then I realized, that progress is more important than perfection. Making mistakes and learning from them is how we grow. It’s okay to be imperfect.

Once I embraced this, I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. My motivation returned, and I started making strides towards my goals.

Are you also stuck in the trap of perfectionism? If so, it’s time to break free. Embrace your imperfections and let them fuel your journey to success.

Final thoughts: It’s about balance

Your journey to success isn’t necessarily about pushing harder but about creating a harmonious balance in your life.

Letting go of habits that drain your motivation is a crucial component of this balance. From procrastination to overlooking self-care, these habits can disrupt your equilibrium, making your path to success seem more arduous than it needs to be.

It’s okay to take breaks, to make mistakes, and to prioritize self-care. 

The road to success is paved with lessons learned from failure and growth achieved through persistence. And that road becomes much smoother when you’re not weighed down by detrimental habits.

So as you reflect on these words, think about which habits you could say goodbye to. And remember, every small step you take towards breaking these habits is a victory on your journey towards success.