We all have habits, but sometimes those habits are more detrimental to our future success than we’d like to admit.

You might look back on your life and struggle to remember the satisfying feeling of accomplishment or feel unsure if your routine behaviors are helping you grow or not.

How do you know if what you’re doing is pushing you towards your goals, or just keeping you stuck in a cycle of mediocrity?

After reflecting deeply on my personal journey and the journeys of those around me, I’ve put together a list of 7 behaviors that could be holding you back from feeling accomplished as you age.

If these resonate, it might be time to bid them goodbye.

1) Neglecting self-care

We all have had those days when a quick shower and grabbing a fast food meal felt like the maximum effort we could put into self-care.

But when this becomes a recurring pattern rather than an occasional occurrence, it’s time to reassess.

Self-care is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s about valuing yourself enough to give your body, mind, and soul what they need to function optimally.

Imagine trying to drive a car without ever changing the oil or filling up the fuel tank. You wouldn’t get very far, would you? The same concept applies to your body and mind.

Neglecting self-care could be a sign that you’re not prioritizing your own well-being, which in turn can affect your productivity and sense of accomplishment.

So, start by taking small steps towards caring for yourself better. You’ll be surprised at how these small changes can lead to big results.

2) Being overly busy

In today’s fast-paced world, being busy is often seen as a badge of honor. We equate busyness with productivity, assuming that the more we do, the more accomplished we will feel.

But here’s the counterintuitive truth – being overly busy can actually prevent you from feeling accomplished.

When you’re constantly rushing from one task to another, you’re not giving yourself the opportunity to fully engage with what you’re doing.

You may be checking items off your to-do list, but are you really immersing yourself in each task? Are you taking the time to reflect on your achievements and savor the feeling of completion?

Moreover, being perpetually busy can lead to burnout, which is far from conducive to a sense of accomplishment.

So, instead of filling your schedule to the brim, try focusing on fewer tasks and doing them well. The feeling of accomplishment comes not from doing everything, but from doing the right things well.

3) Constant comparison

We live in a digital age where everyone’s highlight reel is on display, making it incredibly easy to fall into the comparison trap.

You might see someone’s success on social media and instantly feel like you’re not doing enough, or not achieving as much.

But remember, what you see online is often a curated, edited version of someone’s life, not the complete picture.

Constant comparison can rob you of your joy and sense of accomplishment. Instead of focusing on your own path and celebrating your unique progress, you’re consumed by what others are doing or achieving.

It’s important to realize that everyone is on their own journey, with their own set of challenges and victories. Your path will look different from theirs, and that’s okay.

Next time you find yourself comparing your accomplishments to someone else’s, remind yourself that you’re running your own race.

Focus on your personal growth and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem in comparison to others.

4) Fear of failure

Did you know that many of the world’s most successful people have experienced significant failures?

From inventors like Thomas Edison to business magnates like Elon Musk, failure has often been a stepping stone to their remarkable achievements.

Yet, many of us harbor a deep fear of failure. We see it as a sign of inadequacy, a blot on our record that we’d rather avoid at all costs. This fear can paralyze us, preventing us from taking risks or stepping out of our comfort zones.

But the truth is, failure is an integral part of growth and learning. It offers valuable lessons that can guide us on our journey towards success.

Instead of seeing failure as a dead-end, try viewing it as a detour or a pit stop on your road to success. Embrace the lessons it brings and use them as stepping stones to move forward. 

5) Ignoring your intuition

We’ve all had those moments when something just doesn’t feel right. That little voice in the back of your head, the gut feeling that nudges you.

Yet, so often, we dismiss it. We overanalyze, second guess, and let logical reasoning drown out our intuition.

But here’s something we can’t ignore – our intuition is a powerful ally. It’s that primal part of us that taps into our deepest desires and fears, guiding us even when we’re not sure where we’re headed.

Ignoring your intuition can lead to decisions that may look good on paper but feel wrong in your heart. And there’s nothing more disheartening than working hard to achieve something only to realize it’s not what you truly wanted.

Listening to your intuition doesn’t mean forsaking logic or reason. It means balancing the two, giving yourself permission to trust your feelings as much as your thoughts.

6) Chasing perfection

We often associate a sense of accomplishment with perfection. We believe that if we can just create the perfect project, deliver the perfect presentation, or lead the perfect life, we will finally feel accomplished.

Surprisingly, this pursuit of perfection can actually hinder our sense of achievement.

Perfection is an illusion, an unattainable standard that keeps moving further away the closer we get.

When we chase perfection, we set ourselves up for perpetual dissatisfaction, because no matter how much we achieve, it’s never quite “perfect.”

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strive for excellence or aim high. It simply means recognizing that true accomplishment isn’t about being flawless; it’s about making progress, learning, growing, and continuously improving.

7) Overvaluing external validation

We live in a society that often values external achievements over internal growth. We’re taught to seek validation from others – through likes on social media, praise at work, or admiration from friends and family.

While there’s nothing wrong with appreciating positive feedback, the problem arises when we start to rely on external validation to feel accomplished.

When our sense of self-worth and achievement becomes tied to what others think of us, we give away our power.

True accomplishment is a deeply personal experience. It’s about setting your own goals, pushing your own boundaries, and deriving satisfaction from your own progress.

Start appreciating your own journey. Celebrate your victories, even if no one else recognizes them. Take pride in the effort you put in, not just the outcome.

Embracing the journey towards accomplishment

Often, we think of accomplishment as a destination – a specific point in time when we achieve a goal or complete a task.

But accomplishment is much more than just the end result; it’s about the journey, the process, and the experiences that lead up to it.

The struggle, the effort, and the growth that happens along the way – these are what truly imbue a sense of accomplishment.

So how can we shift our perspective and start embracing this journey?

Firstly, redefine what accomplishment means to you. Instead of focusing purely on outcomes, consider other facets like personal growth, resilience built, skills gained, or relationships nurtured. 

Secondly, cultivate a growth mindset. See each challenge as an opportunity for learning and growth. Understand that setbacks and failures are not roadblocks but stepping stones on your path to success.

Thirdly, practice mindfulness. Be present in each moment, fully engage with your tasks, and savor the process. This not only enhances your experience but also allows you to derive more satisfaction from your efforts.

Lastly, learn to self-validate. Give yourself credit for your achievements and progress. Celebrate your victories and learnings along the way, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem.

Embracing the journey of self-knowledge

As I reflect on my own journey towards feeling more accomplished, one thing stands out above all else – the importance of embracing your true nature.

I’ve learned that accomplishment doesn’t come from ticking off a checklist of societal expectations. It comes from pursuing what resonates with your core being, from aligning your actions with your innermost values and passions.

When you embrace your true nature and live in alignment with it, every step you take feels meaningful. Every achievement, no matter how small, feels like a victory because it’s a reflection of your authentic self.

So I encourage you, as you say goodbye to these 7 behaviors that could be holding you back, also say hello to a journey of self-knowledge.

And in doing so, you’ll find that the sense of accomplishment you seek is not just attainable, but deeply satisfying.