9 things you should give up if you want to be successful

Avatar by Lachlan Brown | September 11, 2024, 2:06 pm

To get better in life and reach our full potential, we don’t always need to do more. Sometimes, we need to stop doing certain things.

Everyone’s idea of success is different, but there are some things that hold us all back.

In this article, we’re going to talk about nine things you might need to give up to reach your goals.

And no, we’re not asking you to stop eating pizza or watching your favorite shows.

We’re talking about habits and attitudes that could be stopping you from being successful.

Let’s get started.

1. Let Go of the Fear of Failure

Here’s something you need to know: everyone fails. It’s a part of life.

Many people fear failure so much that they don’t even try. They stay in their comfort zones, safely away from any risk of failing.

But if you want to be successful, you need to change this mindset.

You see, failure isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it’s an opportunity to learn and grow.

When you fail, you learn what doesn’t work and that brings you one step closer to finding what does work.

So don’t be afraid to take risks and make mistakes. Remember, every successful person has failed at some point in their journey.

So, the first thing to give up if you want success? The fear of failure. Embrace it instead as a stepping stone towards your goals.

2. Say Goodbye to Procrastination

We’re all guilty of it at some point. “I’ll start my diet tomorrow,” “I’ll work on that project later,” “I’ll save money next month.”

Sound familiar? The thing is, ‘later’ or ‘tomorrow’ or ‘next month’ often never comes.

Procrastination is a success killer. It’s like a giant, invisible creature that’s constantly whispering in your ear, convincing you that you can put things off until later.

But the hard truth is, success requires action and it requires it now.

If you want to be successful, you need to give up the habit of delaying important tasks. Start now, not later.

Even small steps taken immediately are better than big steps planned for ‘someday’.

Remember, time waits for no one and every moment wasted is a lost opportunity. So beat procrastination and take action today!

3. Kick Out Negative Self-Talk

Let’s talk about that little voice in our head. The one that says, “You can’t do this,” “You’re not good enough,” or “You’ll never make it.”

Look, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too.

Once upon a time, I had a dream of starting my own business. But every time I thought about it, that pesky inner voice would start. “You? A business owner? Don’t make me laugh.” Sometimes, it felt like my own mind was against me.

But here’s what I learned: negative self-talk is a dream crusher. It feeds our doubts and fears, and if we let it, it can stop us from pursuing our goals.

If you want to be successful, you have to silence this voice. Replace negativity with positive affirmations.

Every time you catch yourself doubting your abilities, stop and say something positive about yourself instead. “I can do this,” “I am capable,” or “I will succeed.”

It may sound silly at first, but trust me, it works.

Today, I’m a proud business owner and honestly? It feels amazing.

So kick out the negative self-talk and fill your mind with positive thoughts instead. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.

4. The Desire to be Perfect

Perfectionism – the desire to be flawless and error-free in everything you do – sounds like a good trait.

But in reality, it can be a major obstacle on your path to success.

Many successful people are not perfectionists.

Perfectionism can cause you to fear making mistakes, which can stifle creativity and innovation.

It can also make you spend too much time obsessing over minor details instead of focusing on what really matters.

So what should you do? Strive for excellence, not perfection. Understand that mistakes are part of the learning process. Embrace them, learn from them, and keep moving forward.

Remember, progress is more important than perfection.

So give up the idea of being perfect and start focusing on being the best that you can be.

5. Let Go of Toxic Relationships

We all have relationships in our lives, with friends, family, colleagues, and so on. But not all relationships are good for us.

Some can drag us down, fill us with negativity, and stop us from reaching our potential.

Toxic relationships can be like dark clouds that dampen our spirits and sap our energy. They often leave us feeling drained, demotivated, or even doubting ourselves.

And when you’re on a journey towards success, you need all the positivity and energy you can get.

Letting go of these relationships doesn’t mean you don’t care about these people. It simply means you’re choosing your own happiness and success over their negativity.

Surround yourself with people who inspire you, motivate you, and push you to be better.

Remember, your journey to success is important.

You deserve to be surrounded by positivity and support.

Let go of any toxic relationships in your life and make room for those who truly value and believe in you.

It might be hard at first, but in the long run, it’s one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.

6. Stop Trying to Please Everyone

This one hit home for me because I used to be a chronic people-pleaser. Always nodding, always agreeing, always trying to keep everyone else happy.

But here’s what I learned: you can’t please everyone, and trying to do so is like running on a never-ending treadmill.

When you’re constantly seeking approval from others, you’re giving them control over your life.

I remember once turning down an amazing job opportunity because a few friends thought it wasn’t a ‘good fit’ for me.

Looking back, I realize it was fear of their disapproval that made me say no.

The truth is, this is your life. You’re the one who has to live it, not them.

If you want to be successful, you need to make decisions based on what’s best for you, not what others think is best.

So stop trying to please everyone around you.

Listen to advice, sure, but make sure the final decision is yours. Be true to yourself and what you believe in.

It’s not always easy, but once I started doing this, I felt happier and more in control of my life than ever before. And trust me, it’s an absolutely liberating feeling!

7. Quit Living in the Past

Mistakes made, opportunities missed, words said in anger – they can haunt us, chain us down, and stop us from moving forward.

But here’s another truth: you can’t change the past. No matter how much you wish you could, it’s done and dusted.

Living in the past is like driving a car while constantly looking in the rearview mirror. You’ll crash. If you want to be successful, you need to focus on the road ahead, not what’s behind you.

We all mess up. We all have regrets. But those are lessons learned, not life sentences. Don’t let your past dictate your future. Learn from it, forgive yourself, and move on.

Remember, every day is a new chance to start fresh, to be better.

Don’t waste it by being stuck in what was or what could have been.

The future is waiting for you, so let go of the past and grab hold of it with both hands!

8. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

In the age of social media, it’s incredibly easy to fall into the comparison trap.

We see the highlight reels of others’ lives and suddenly our own achievements seem insignificant.

But interestingly, a study found that people who quit Facebook for a week reported a significantly higher level of life satisfaction.

Why? Because comparison often leads to dissatisfaction and unhappiness. It makes us feel like we’re always lagging behind, always needing to catch up.

But everyone is on their own journey, with their own pace and their own milestones.

Comparing your Chapter 2 to someone else’s Chapter 20 is not only unfair, it’s also unproductive.

If you want to be successful, focus on your own progress instead of comparing yourself to others.

Celebrate your victories, no matter how small they may seem. Learn from your failures and keep moving forward.

Remember, success is not a race against others, it’s a race against yourself. So stop comparing and start focusing on becoming the best version of you!

9. Say No to Short-Term Comfort

Here’s something I’ve learned from my own journey: success often requires discomfort.

Think about it. If you want to get in shape, you have to sweat it out at the gym, even when you’d rather be lounging at home.

If you want to save money, you might have to forgo that fancy dinner or that tempting online sale.

I remember when I was starting my own business. I had to cut down on a lot of things – hanging out with friends, weekend getaways, even my beloved Netflix time.

It was tough, but those sacrifices were necessary for the bigger picture.

The comfort of instant gratification is tempting, no doubt. But the satisfaction of achieving your long-term goals? That’s priceless.

So if you want to be successful, you need to say no to short-term comfort and yes to long-term growth.

It might not be easy, but trust me, when you reach your destination, it will all be worth it.

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