Personal growth is a lifelong journey, and sometimes, there are behaviors we need to leave behind to evolve into the best versions of ourselves. It’s not always easy. I know, because I’ve been there.

Hi, I’m Lachlan Brown from Hack Spirit. I’ve studied mindfulness and Buddhism for years, and I’ve seen firsthand how certain behaviors can hold us back from our true potential.

In this article, I’ll explore eight such behaviors that you might want to bid farewell to, in order to embrace a more fulfilled self. After all, the key to becoming better is not just adding new habits but also discarding the ones that weigh us down.

This personal growth journey may be challenging, but trust me: every step brings you closer to the best version of yourself.

1) Dwelling on the past

We’ve all been there. An embarrassing moment from years ago that suddenly pops into our minds, or a past mistake that we just can’t seem to let go of. But here’s the thing: dwelling on the past can become a real burden.

From my studies with mindfulness and Buddhism, I’ve learned that being present in the moment is key to personal growth. The past is gone and dwelling on it won’t change what happened. Instead, it takes up mental energy that could be put to better use in the present.

It’s natural to reflect on past experiences, but if you find yourself stuck in a loop of past regrets or embarrassments, it might be time to practice mindfulness. This means focusing on the present moment without judgement.

Letting go of this behavior is not easy, but it’s an important step towards becoming a better version of yourself.

2) Comparing yourself to others

Confession time. I’ve been guilty of this. I used to constantly compare my life, my achievements, my looks, even my mindfulness journey to others. But you know what I discovered? It’s a joy-killer and a growth-stopper.

When we compare ourselves to others, we’re not acknowledging our unique journey, our personal strengths and the progress we have made. Instead, we’re focusing on what we perceive as lacking in ourselves.

So, if you want to become a better version of yourself, it’s time to say goodbye to the habit of comparison. Remember, everyone’s journey is different. Your path is your own and it’s perfectly tailored for you.

Let’s celebrate our unique selves and focus on our personal growth. After all, the only person you should be comparing yourself with is who you were yesterday.

3) Living on autopilot

I have to admit, I used to be a victim of this too. Caught up in the daily grind, doing things mechanically, without giving them much thought. But living on autopilot prevents us from truly experiencing life.

In my book, “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego”, I delve into how living consciously can radically improve our lives.

Switching off autopilot requires us to be mindful, to pay attention to our actions and responses, and to actively engage with the world around us. It’s about making conscious choices instead of simply going through the motions.

So if you’re serious about becoming a better version of yourself, start by saying goodbye to living on autopilot. Embrace mindfulness and make conscious choices.

This shift might be challenging at first, but I assure you, it’s absolutely worth it. The richness and depth of experience that comes from living consciously is beyond words.

And I talk about this extensively in my book which you can find on Amazon here.

4) Suppressing your emotions

This one’s a toughie. It’s easy to fall into the trap of suppressing, or even denying, our negative emotions. But here’s what Buddhism teaches us: emotions, both positive and negative, are a part of the human experience.

The thing about emotions is that they’re not inherently good or bad. They just are. And trying to suppress them or pretend they’re not there doesn’t make them disappear. In fact, it only gives them more power over us.

Buddhism encourages us to acknowledge and understand our emotions. It teaches us that by observing our feelings without judgment or resistance, we can learn to let them pass through us without causing harm.

So if you want to become a better version of yourself, it’s time to say goodbye to suppressing your emotions. Instead, allow yourself to feel what you feel. Observe it, understand it and let it go.

This is not an easy journey, but it’s an important one. 

5) Multitasking

In today’s fast-paced world, multitasking is often seen as a necessary skill. But here’s some raw honesty: it’s not.

Research has shown that multitasking actually reduces our productivity. Instead of doing several tasks well, we end up doing none of them to the best of our ability.

From a mindfulness perspective, multitasking prevents us from being fully present in the moment. When our attention is divided, we’re not fully engaged in any one activity. In other words, we’re missing out on life as it happens.

So if you want to become a better version of yourself, say goodbye to multitasking. Start practicing mindfulness by focusing on one task at a time.

Not only will this improve your productivity and the quality of your work, but it will also allow you to fully experience and appreciate each moment.

And isn’t that what life’s all about?

6) Ignoring your needs

Here’s something raw and honest: many of us are guilty of ignoring our own needs, and this does more harm than good.

Whether it’s neglecting our physical health, disregarding our emotional wellbeing, or overlooking our spiritual needs, we often put ourselves last. But this is counterproductive.

Buddhism and mindfulness teach us the importance of self-care. Just as we show compassion to others, we must also extend it towards ourselves. This means acknowledging and addressing our needs, whether they are physical, emotional or spiritual.

Ignoring your needs doesn’t make you selfless or strong. Instead, it leads to burnout and hinders personal growth.

7) Clinging to perfection

Here’s some raw honesty: Nobody is perfect. Striving for perfection is like chasing a mirage. It’s an impossible standard that only leads to stress, disappointment, and self-doubt.

It’s not about reaching a state of flawlessness, but about accepting ourselves as we are while continuously working on our growth. It’s about embracing our imperfections and seeing them as opportunities for learning and personal development.

So if you want to become a better version of yourself, it’s time to say goodbye to the idea of perfection. Instead, embrace your imperfections and focus on continuous self-improvement.

Remember, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being better than you were yesterday. So let go of perfection and embrace progress.

8) Always being busy

Being constantly busy doesn’t make you productive or successful. In fact, it can do just the opposite.

In our hustle culture, we often equate busyness with productivity. But mindfulness teaches us that there’s a big difference between being busy and being productive.

Being busy often means juggling multiple tasks without giving our full attention to any of them. On the other hand, being productive is about focusing on one task at a time and doing it well.

Mindfulness encourages us to slow down, to be present, and to focus. It teaches us that taking time for ourselves, for rest and for reflection, is not wasted time.

So if you want to become a better version of yourself, say goodbye to always being busy. Instead, embrace productivity through mindfulness. Take time to rest, to reflect, and to be present in the moment.

Remember, life isn’t a race. It’s a journey to be savored. So slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy the ride.

Final thoughts

There you have it. Eight behaviors to say goodbye to, if you want to become a better version of yourself. It’s not easy, but remember, personal growth is a journey, not a destination.

And sometimes, the first step towards growth is letting go of what holds us back. So take this as an invitation to examine your own behaviors and see which ones might be hindering your growth.

For more insights and guidance on this journey, I invite you to check out my book, “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego”. It’s packed with wisdom from years of studying mindfulness and Buddhism, aimed at helping you live a more fulfilling and mindful life.

Remember, becoming a better version of yourself isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about continuous growth and self-improvement.