6 behaviors underachievers unknowingly repeat every day

Mal James by Mal James | May 9, 2024, 4:53 pm

Ever wondered why some people seem stuck in a loop, unable to reach their potential?

I certainly have. 

Not so long ago, I’d dare say I was one of these people. I was caught in a cycle of habits and routines that weren’t serving my aspirations or growth. 

What I have since learned, however, is that, as with many things, our habits play a huge role in this. As the saying goes, “We are what we repeatedly do.”

Seemingly insignificant behaviors can hold us back from reaching our full potential. What behaviors?

Well, the six we will cover today were major culprits for me. 

Ditching them has entirely shifted my productivity. Doing so might just do the same for you.

Let’s get to ‘em. 

1) Trying to make everything perfect

So many of us believe perfectionism to be a virtue. But the truth is, it often does more harm than good. 

I know this firsthand. When I was working on my business a few years back, I would obsess over every detail, convinced that everything needed to be flawless before I could take the next step or make a decision. The result?

Paralysis by analysis. 

I found myself stuck, unable to move projects forward or make timely decisions. Deadlines were missed, opportunities were lost, and the stress was overwhelming.

What I didn’t realize at the time is that as put by clinical professor of psychology Robert L. Leahy Ph.D., “There is a difference between perfectionism and healthy high standards.”

Perfectionism is actually closely linked to procrastination—a notorious productivity killer. The more we strive for perfection, the more likely we are to postpone tasks, waiting for the ‘right’ moment or until we feel fully prepared, a moment that, quite often, never comes.

2) Multitasking

Picture this: You’re sitting at your desk with multiple tabs open on your computer, your phone buzzing with notifications, and a half-written email waiting to be finished. 

This used to be me, too. 

I felt like I was getting a lot done, but research has demonstrated that multitasking isn’t as efficient as we’d like to believe. 

Basically, every time we switch from one task to another, our brain requires additional time to adjust its focus and get into the groove of the new task. This constant shifting not only eats up valuable time but also drains our mental energy, leaving us less efficient than if we had focused on one task at a time.

This constant juggling act can make it challenging to dive deep into any one task, often leading to surface-level work that lacks depth and quality. 

3) Overlooking the need for exercise

When life gets busy, the first thing to get the boot is often exercise. At least, it was for me.

But, as I’ve learned, skimping on physical activity does more harm than good, not just physically but mentally. 

Exercise isn’t just about looking good or staying in shape. It’s a crucial component of mental well-being and productivity. As noted by Healthline, research has shown that regular exercise can make us happier, increase energy levels, and even promote brain health and memory!

Maybe that’s the reason almost every high achiever has an exercise routine. Here are but a few examples: 

  • Tim Cook of Apple spends his early morning hours focusing on his physical fitness, going to the gym around 5 a.m. following an hour of going through emails. Cook considers his workout routine vital for managing stress.
  • Jocko Willink, retired Navy SEAL and now a prominent author and podcaster, follows a strict morning routine. He wakes up between 4:30 and 4:45 a.m. and begins his day with a revitalizing exercise session.
  • Entrepreneur Richard Branson participates in a variety of physical activities such as tennis, cycling, running, or kitesurfing. He believes these activities significantly contribute to his high levels of productivity.

If you, like me in the past, can’t seem to make an exercise routine stick, find something you like doing and make it part of your day. Over the years, I tried everything from running to weightlifting, but exercise always felt like a chore. That was until I found swimming and never looked back.

Sure, exercise takes time, but its effects actually allow us to be more productive when working toward other goals. 

I have noticed this firsthand. Now, in my thirties, I am more focused and productive than I was in my mid-twenties. Regular exercise has a lot to do with this, I’m sure. 

You might just be surprised at how much more energy and focus you will gain, too. 

4) Not setting clear goals for the day 

“If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favorable.” – Seneca.

Having a target to aim at provides direction and purpose. However, many underachievers tend to drift through life without specific objectives, hindering their motivation and productivity.

For many, this lack of goal-setting isn’t just about being directionless; it’s a manifestation of a deeper issue—an unwillingness or inability to commit to a vision for their future.

Setting clear achievable goals can enhance focus, boost motivation, and foster a sense of accomplishment.

Recognizing this behavior can be the first step towards breaking the cycle of underachievement. It’s a simple practice, but its impact on personal and professional growth can be significant. 

Having clear objectives is just the first step though, you also need to avoid this next thing if you want to live up to your potential. 

5) Letting goals slip away

Here’s a fact for you: researchers have found that a staggering 92% of Americans don’t keep their New Year’s Resolutions. Pretty shocking, right?

It also reflects something that underachievers tend to do. They gradually give up on their goals or continually change their goals. 

News stories might lead us to believe that success happens overnight with headlines like “From Zero to Hero in a Year” or “Teenager Becomes a Millionaire Overnight with Viral App.” 

But the truth is real achievement is rarely instantaneous. It requires persistence, patience, and a long-term commitment. 

For instance, data suggests that most small businesses take at least 2 to 3 years to become profitable and only become truly successful once they’ve hit the 7 to 10-year mark. 

Many people join a gym in January with high hopes, but by week three, not seeing any changes in the mirror, their initial enthusiasm fades, and the gym visits become less and less frequent. But the reality is, as noted by experts, it can take ten weeks or more of regular exercise and proper diet to lose just 10 pounds. 

Significant accomplishments are the result of sustained effort over time, and those who underachieve often give up on their goals way too early. 

The tendency to abandon goals not only hampers individual success but also contributes to a cycle of underachievement. When goals are not seen through to completion, it reinforces the belief that success is out of reach, further diminishing the likelihood of future efforts. 

6) Worrying about things they can’t control

Have you ever found yourself agonizing over outcomes you have no power over? How often do you worry about the fluctuating economy, unpredictable weather, or the actions and opinions of others?

As you might imagine, this habit can be a significant drain on both time and energy, diverting focus from where it can be truly impactful. 

Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher, eloquently captured this concept. He wrote

“The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control.” 

As I see it, he is advising us to direct our efforts towards areas where we can make a difference rather than fretting over those we cannot.

For me personally, embracing this Stoic principle was a game-changer, especially during the turbulent times of running my own business. The stress of entrepreneurship can often lead to a sense of being overwhelmed, primarily when focusing on external factors beyond one’s control. 

Learning to distinguish between what I could influence and what was beyond my reach allowed me to channel my energy more productively. It helped me to maintain forward momentum, concentrating on actionable steps rather than becoming immobilized by the uncontrollable aspects of business and life.

The bottom line 

That just about wraps it up for today.  

Breaking free from underachievement starts with recognizing these behaviors. It’s about owning our actions. 

As always, I hope you found some value in this post. 

Until next time.