7 behaviors that are holding you back in life (without you even realizing it)

Lucas Graham by Lucas Graham | September 6, 2024, 4:08 pm

Who doesn’t want to move forward in life, right? But sometimes, it doesn’t quite seem that way.

Sure, you’re trying. You’re putting in the hours, the sweat, and the tears. Yet, you’re stuck in the same spot. And I know it’s frustrating.

It’s hard to swallow, but often we are our own biggest roadblocks. We have certain behaviors that hold us back without us even noticing them.

In this article, I’m going to reveal 7 such behaviors that might be stopping you from living your best life.

Now, I’m not here to tell you what to do or how to live your life. Just consider this as a little nudge of awareness coming your way. Let’s dive in!

1) Living in the past

I’m going to start with a story. When I was younger, I had a habit of holding onto my past mistakes. They were like weights around my ankle, holding me back, and not letting me move forward.

It wasn’t until a friend pointed this out that I realized how much living in the past was affecting my present and future. I was so stuck on my past failures that I wasn’t allowing myself to move on and grow.

We all make mistakes, right? It’s part of being human. The key is to learn from them, not dwell on them. If you find yourself constantly looking back, it could be a sign you’re holding yourself back.

2) Not being assertive

Moving on to the second behavior…lack of assertiveness.

There was a time when I would always put other people’s needs before mine. I had a hard time saying ‘no’. I thought that by doing so, I’d be liked and appreciated more.

But guess what? It didn’t work that way. Instead, it just made me feel taken advantage of.

Being assertive doesn’t mean being rude or bossy. It simply means standing up for yourself and your needs. If you’re always bending over backwards for others at the expense of your own happiness, it might be time to reevaluate your approach.

3) Comparing yourself to others

Ever heard of the term “Social Comparison Theory”? It’s a psychological concept that suggests we determine our own self-worth based on how we stack up against others.

In the age of social media, it’s easier than ever to fall into this comparison trap. We see people’s highlight reels on Instagram or LinkedIn and start feeling inadequate.

But here’s the thing—life isn’t a competition. Your journey is unique to you. If you’re constantly measuring yourself against others, you’re only holding yourself back from appreciating your own progress and achievements.

4) Fear of failure

There’s a truth that we all have to face at some point in our lives – failure is inevitable. It’s a part of life, a stepping stone to success.

Yet, so many of us are paralyzed by the fear of failure. We’re afraid to take risks, step outside our comfort zone, or try something new. We’re afraid of what people will say, afraid of disappointing ourselves.

But you know, every failure brings us one step closer to success. It’s through our failures that we learn, grow, and become stronger. By letting the fear of failure rule your decisions, you’re limiting your own potential. Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.

5) Procrastination

I’ll be honest here, I’m a recovering procrastinator. I used to put off tasks until the last minute, convincing myself that I work best under pressure.

But let me tell you, this was just an excuse to avoid starting work. The reality was, I was just overwhelmed by the task at hand and didn’t know where to start.

Procrastination is a tricky beast. It gives you the illusion of comfort while silently eating away at your time and productivity. If you’re always putting things off until ‘later’, it’s time to face the fact that ‘later’ may never come.

Take it from someone who’s been there – breaking the habit of procrastination can be a game-changer.

6) Negativity

It’s easy to fall into a pattern of negative thinking. The world can feel like a tough place, and sometimes it seems easier to expect the worst.

But here’s the thing – negativity breeds negativity. It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you always expect the worst, then the worst is usually what you’ll get.

Try shifting your perspective. Focus on the positives in your life, no matter how small they may seem. You’ll be surprised at how this change in attitude can impact your overall outlook and progress in life.

7) Resistance to change

The final reason is resistance to change. Change is a constant part of life. It can be scary, unpredictable, and uncomfortable. But it’s also necessary for growth and progress.

I remember when I was offered a job in a different city. The thought of moving away from my comfort zone was terrifying. But I took the plunge, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

The point is, if you’re always resisting change, you could be missing out on incredible opportunities. Embrace change, learn to adapt, and watch as doors open that you never even knew existed.

Last words

There you have it – 7 behaviors that might be holding you back in life without you even realizing it.

Keep in mind, awareness is the first step towards improvement.

Once you recognize these behaviors in yourself, you’re well on your way to overcoming them and moving forward in life. Good luck!