Ever feel like you’re running on a treadmill, working hard but getting nowhere fast? You’re not alone!
Did you know that according to a mind-blowing study by the University of Scranton, a whopping 92% of people fail to achieve their goals (source)?
Yikes! But here’s the kicker – it’s often the tiny, seemingly harmless habits that are the real culprits. These sneaky little saboteurs are like termites, quietly gnawing away at the foundation of your success.
Don’t panic! I’ve got your back.
Let’s dive into the world of psychology and researches to unmask these 11 little habits that are holding you back from success.
Ready to kick these bad boys to the curb and skyrocket your way to success? Let’s go!
1) “What if I fail”
Let’s get real for a second – we’ve all been there. That moment when you’re about to take a leap, and suddenly your brain goes, “Whoa, hold up! What if you fail?”
I remember when I was about to launch my first online business. My finger hovered over the ‘publish’ button for what felt like hours.
The fear was real, folks! But here’s the kicker – that fear of falling flat on our faces can be the very thing that keeps us glued to the starting line.
It’s like wearing a parachute but never jumping out of the plane. Sure, you’re safe, but you’re missing out on one heck of a view!
The trick is to reframe failure as a stepping stone, not a stumbling block. Every successful person you admire has a failure resume longer than your Amazon wish list.
So next time that fear creeps in, give it a nod and say, “Thanks for trying to protect me, but I’ve got this!” Remember, the only real failure is not trying at all.
2) “I’ll do it later”
Oh, procrastination – my old frenemy! I can’t count the number of times I’ve said, “I’ll start my diet on Monday” or “I’ll write that report… right after I organize my sock drawer.”
Sound familiar? Procrastination is like that comfy couch that’s so hard to get out of – it feels good in the moment, but it’s not doing us any favors in the long run.
The problem is, our brains are wired for immediate gratification. That’s why scrolling through social media feels more appealing than tackling that big project.
But here’s a little trick I’ve learned: break it down! Instead of thinking, “I need to write a whole book,” try “I’ll write one page today.” Suddenly, that mountain looks more like a molehill. And let’s be honest, future you will be so grateful to past you for getting stuff done. So next time you catch yourself saying “I’ll do it later,” challenge yourself to do just five minutes of it now. You might surprise yourself and keep going!
3) “I am not good enough”
We all have that little voice in our heads, you know the one. It’s like having a very pessimistic roommate who never pays rent but always has an opinion. “You’re not good enough,” it whispers. “You’ll never pull this off,” it sneers. Ugh!
I remember when I was preparing for a big presentation at work. That voice was in overdrive: “You’ll forget everything,” “You’ll make a fool of yourself.”
It was exhausting! But here’s the thing – that voice isn’t the boss of you. It’s just a very loud suggestion box. The key is to acknowledge it, thank it for its input (however misguided), and then choose to listen to your inner cheerleader instead.
Try this: for every negative thought, counter it with two positive ones. “I might mess up” becomes “I’ve prepared well” and “I have valuable insights to share.”
It takes practice, but soon you’ll be drowning out that Debbie Downer in your head with your own personal pep rally!
4) “I like my comfort zone just fine, thanks!”
Ah, the comfort zone – it’s like that well-worn pair of sweatpants. So cozy, so familiar, so… limiting. Trust me, I get it.
I used to be the queen of the comfort zone. My routine was so predictable I could do it in my sleep (and sometimes I think I did!). But here’s the thing – nothing exciting ever happens in the comfort zone.
It’s called a comfort zone, not a growth zone, for a reason. I remember the first time I forced myself to attend a networking event solo. My palms were sweaty, my heart was racing, and I was pretty sure I’d forgotten how to form coherent sentences.
But you know what? I survived! Not only that, I made some great connections and even landed a new client. The magic happens when we push our boundaries, even just a little bit. So, how about this – commit to doing one thing that scares you each week.
It could be as simple as trying a new food or as bold as signing up for that public speaking class.
Your comfort zone will always be there if you need a breather, but don’t make it your permanent address!
5) “Where am I headed?”
Picture this: you’re going on a road trip, but instead of a destination, you just decide to drive “somewhere nice.” Sounds fun, right? Maybe for a while, but soon you’ll be aimlessly driving in circles, probably hangry, and definitely frustrated. That’s what having fuzzy goals is like.
I’ve been there, trust me. I used to have vague goals like “get fit” or “be successful.” But what does that even mean? How do you know when you’ve arrived?
It’s like playing darts blindfolded – you might hit something, but it probably won’t be the bullseye. The game-changer for me was getting specific.
Instead of “get fit,” it became “run a 5K in under 30 minutes by June.” Suddenly, I had a clear target and could create a plan to get there.
So, let’s turn those fuzzy goals into laser-focused objectives. What exactly do you want to achieve? By when? How will you measure success?
Get specific, get excited, and watch as those once-elusive goals start becoming reality!
6) Bad time management
Ever feel like you’re in a time-management escape room, frantically trying to beat the clock? Yeah, me too. There was a period when I felt like I was always busy, but never productive.
My to-do list was longer than a CVS receipt, and I was constantly playing catch-up. Sound familiar? Poor time management is like a leaky faucet – those little time drips add up to a flood of wasted potential.
But here’s the good news: you can fix it! The game-changer for me was time-blocking. I started treating my time like prime real estate. Instead of a vague plan to “work on project X,”
I’d block out specific hours. And here’s the kicker – I included breaks in those blocks. Turns out, my brain isn’t designed to work for 8 hours straight (shocker, I know). By giving myself permission to take breaks, I actually got more done.
So, why not give it a shot? Treat your time like the valuable resource it is. And remember, saying no to some things means saying yes to what really matters. Your future self will thank you!
7) “I am a perfectionist”
Confession time: I used to be a card-carrying member of the Perfectionist Club. My motto was “If it’s not perfect, it’s not worth doing.” Spoiler alert: nothing ever got done.
I’d spend hours tweaking a single email, or I’d put off starting a project because conditions weren’t “just right.” Sound familiar? Here’s the truth bomb I had to swallow: perfectionism is just fear in a fancy outfit.
It’s our brain’s sneaky way of protecting us from criticism or failure. But here’s the kicker – while we’re polishing that first chapter to perfection, someone else has written, published, and marketed their entire book. Ouch.
The turning point for me was embracing the concept of “good enough for now.” It’s not about lowering standards, it’s about making progress. Now, I set a timer for tasks. When it dings, I move on, imperfections and all.
The world hasn’t ended. In fact, I’m achieving more than ever. So, fellow perfectionists, let’s make a pact: done is better than perfect.
8) Neglecting self-care
You’re treating your mind and body like a 24/7 drive-thru. Always open, no breaks, running on coffee fumes and sheer willpower. Been there, done that, got the burnout t-shirt.
I remember a time when I wore my 60-hour workweeks like a badge of honor. Sleep? That’s for the weak! Self-care? Ain’t nobody got time for that! Until… I crashed.
Turns out, our brains and bodies aren’t machines. They need downtime to recharge, just like your smartphone (and we all know how cranky we get when that battery hits 1%!).
Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s necessary maintenance. It’s like putting on your own oxygen mask before helping others. Now, I schedule self-care like I schedule important meetings – because it is important.
Sometimes it’s a yoga class, sometimes it’s just 10 minutes of mindful breathing. The point is, it’s non-negotiable.
Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. So, what’s one small self-care act you can do today? Your future self will thank you!
|| Also Read: 10 Phrases That Show A Low Self-Confidence, According to Psychology
9) “That’s just how I am”
The fixed mindset – it’s like that old, comfy chair that’s molded to your shape. It feels safe, but it’s keeping you stuck.
I used to be the poster child for fixed mindset. “I’m just not a math person,” I’d declare, or “I’m not creative.” It was my get-out-of-jail-free card for not trying new things.
But here’s the plot twist: our abilities aren’t set in stone. Our brains are like play-doh, constantly shapeable (how cool is that?).
The turning point for me was when I started adding one little word to my vocabulary: “yet.” “I’m not good at public speaking… yet.” “I can’t code… yet.” Suddenly, those limitations became challenges, not dead ends.
It’s like upgrading your brain’s operating system from “that’s impossible” to “how can I make this possible?” So, next time you catch yourself saying “that’s just how I am,” challenge it.
And see how it changes your perspective. Remember, the brain is a muscle – the more you stretch it, the stronger it gets!
10) “I know what I am doing”
Let’s face it, feedback can feel like a punch to the gut sometimes. I used to be the queen of deflection when it came to criticism.
“I know what I am doing,” or “they just don’t understand my vision,” I’d tell myself, or “they’re just jealous.”
But here’s the truth: feedback is a gift, even when it’s wrapped in sandpaper. I remember getting some harsh feedback on a project I thought was brilliant. My first instinct was to dismiss it, but something made me pause and really listen.
That feedback, painful as it was, helped me elevate my work to a whole new level. The trick is to separate your ego from your work.
Feedback isn’t an attack on you as a person; it’s an opportunity to improve your output. Now, I actively seek out feedback, even when it makes me uncomfortable.
It’s like having a personal GPS for your growth journey. So, next time you receive feedback, take a deep breath, push past the initial sting, and ask yourself, “what can I learn from this?”
Your future self will thank you for your openness!
11) “I’m not better than anyone”
We’ve all fallen into the comparison trap. Scrolling through social media, feeling like everyone else has their life together while you’re still trying to figure out how to adult.
Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt (and then wondered if the t-shirt was as cool as someone else’s). I remember obsessing over a colleague’s rapid career progression, feeling like I was falling behind.
But here’s the thing – comparison is a thief of joy, and it’s also a liar. We’re comparing our behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel.
The truth is, everyone’s journey is different. Your chapter 1 might be someone else’s chapter 20, and that’s okay! The game-changer for me was focusing on my own progress.
Instead of “why am I not as successful as her?”, I started asking “am I better than I was yesterday?” It’s like running a race – the only person you need to beat is yourself.
So, next time you feel the comparison bug biting, remember: the grass isn’t greener on the other side, it’s greener where you water it.
Focus on nurturing your own journey, and watch how much more fulfilling it becomes!
Bottom line
Whew! From the dream-killing fear of failure to the subconscious saboteur of fear of success, these obstacles can be tough nuts to crack. But here’s the good news – awareness is half the battle!
Now that you know what you’re up against, you’re already ahead of the game. Remember, success isn’t about avoiding obstacles; it’s about learning to leap over them.
So, which roadblock resonated with you the most? Why not tackle it head-on starting today? Take one small step towards dismantling that barrier.
Your future successful self will thank you! Let’s make 2024 the year you break through these roadblocks and soar to new heights. All the best!
