Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a cycle of exhaustion, where every day feels like a struggle to get closer to your goals?

I’ve been there too—on the verge of burnout, struggling to find the energy to push forward.

It’s frustrating because you feel like you’re capable of so much more. You have big dreams, but your energy levels just don’t match your ambition.

The truth is, sometimes we get in our own way without realizing it.

We hold on to habits that drain our energy, leaving us too tired to take the actions we need to reach our goals.

I’ve learned this the hard way, but once I identified and let go of these 7 habits, I noticed a real shift.

If you’re ready to feel more energized and finally start making progress toward your goals, let’s dive into these habits you need to say goodbye to.

1) Neglecting self-care

The first habit that was a real game-changer for me was neglecting self-care.

It might seem obvious, but as someone who was constantly tired and falling short of my goals, I didn’t realize how much I was neglecting my own needs.

I used to think that working harder and longer hours would make me more successful. But all it did was leave me exhausted, irritable and far from the goals I wanted to achieve.

It wasn’t until I started prioritizing self-care that things began to change. This meant:

• Ensuring adequate sleep
• Eating healthily
• Staying hydrated
• Making time for relaxation and hobbies that I enjoy

Suddenly, I had more energy. I was more productive during my working hours, and my goals didn’t seem so far away anymore.

If you’re constantly feeling tired and your goals seem unreachable, take a look at your self-care habits.

Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating well? Do you take time to relax and recharge?

Improving these areas can make a world of difference, as it did for me. 

2) Procrastination

The second habit I had to say goodbye to was procrastination.

I’ve always been a bit of a dreamer. I had grand visions for my future, but when it came down to taking action, I’d find myself putting things off.

“I’ll start tomorrow,” I’d tell myself. But tomorrow would come and go, and still, I’d be stuck in the same place.

One day I came across a quote that said, “Procrastination is not caused by laziness. It’s caused by fear.”

This was a lightbulb moment for me. I realized that my procrastination wasn’t due to a lack of ambition or drive. It was fear—fear of failure, fear of not being good enough—that was holding me back.

So, I started confronting my fears head on.

If a task scared me, that meant I needed to tackle it first thing in the morning when my energy was at its peak.

The results were transformative. Not only did I start making progress toward my goals, but my energy levels also improved.

When we procrastinate, we use up mental energy worrying about the tasks we’re avoiding. By facing these tasks head on, I freed up that mental energy and felt less tired overall.

If you find yourself constantly tired and procrastinating on your goals, ask yourself: What are you afraid of?

Once you identify your fears, you can begin to confront them—and say goodbye to procrastination for good.

3) Unhealthy relationships

I’ve always been a people-pleaser. I’d go out of my way to keep the peace, often at the cost of my own happiness and energy levels. I realized that I was surrounded by relationships that were draining me, not enriching me.

One of the biggest culprits was a long-time friend who was constantly negative and critical. Every interaction left me feeling drained and demotivated.

Then one day, it hit me: Why was I allowing this person’s negativity to drain my energy and hold me back from my goals?

The decision wasn’t easy, but I knew it was necessary. I distanced myself from this friend and focused on building relationships with positive, supportive people instead.

The shift in my energy levels was astounding. I felt lighter, happier, and more motivated to pursue my goals.

Know that it’s okay to outgrow people who don’t help you grow.

If you have relationships that are consistently draining your energy, consider if they’re worth maintaining. Surround yourself with positive influences who lift you up and support your journey towards your goals.

4) Multitasking

The fourth habit I had to break was multitasking.

I used to pride myself on being able to juggle multiple tasks at once. I thought it made me more productive.

But over time, I noticed that I was constantly tired and rarely completing tasks to the best of my ability.

A study by Stanford University shed some light on this. The study showed that people who multitask do not pay attention, memorize, or manage tasks as well as those who complete one task at a time.

After learning this, I decided to experiment with single-tasking – focusing on one job at a time.

It took some getting used to, but the results were impressive.

Not only did my productivity increase, but my energy levels improved too. By focusing all my attention on one task, I was able to complete it more efficiently and with less mental fatigue.

5) Neglecting physical exercise

I used to think that exercise was just about maintaining a certain physique. As someone with a desk job and a packed schedule, I didn’t prioritize it.

However, I noticed that I was always tired, even after a good night’s sleep. My mind felt foggy, and I struggled to stay motivated and focused on my goals.

That’s when I decided to incorporate regular exercise into my routine. Nothing drastic—just a 30-minute walk each day to start with.

The change was remarkable. Not only did my energy levels increase, but I also felt more mentally alert and motivated.

It turns out that physical activity doesn’t just benefit your body; it’s also vital for your mental well-being.

6) Living in the past or future

I used to spend a lot of time ruminating over past mistakes or worrying about future uncertainties.

This mental time-traveling was tiring and left little energy for the present moment and the tasks at hand.

I remember reading a quote by famous psychologist Carl Jung that hit home: “We cannot change anything unless we accept it.”

I realized that my constant dwelling on past mistakes was preventing me from accepting and learning from them.

Similarly, worrying about the future was stopping me from taking action in the present.

So, I began to practice mindfulness, focusing my attention on the present moment.

The more I stayed in the present, the more energy I had. My mind wasn’t preoccupied with past regrets or future anxieties, and I could focus on my goals.

If you find yourself constantly tired and your goals seem out of reach, examine where your mind spends its time.

Learning to accept the past and face the future with realistic optimism can free up a lot of mental energy to focus on what you can control: your actions right now.

7) Overworking

Like many people, I used to think that the more hours I put in, the closer I’d get to my goals. But all it did was leave me burned out and even further from where I wanted to be.

Work is important, but so is rest.

Our bodies and minds need time to recharge. Research shows that without not taking breaks decreases our productivity and puts us at risk of burnout.

So, I started setting boundaries. I made a strict rule to stop working at a certain time each day.

And guess what? My productivity didn’t decrease—in fact, it increased.

And more importantly, my energy levels improved significantly. I was no longer constantly tired, and I found myself making steady progress towards my goals.

If you’re always feeling tired and your goals seem elusive, try this: set a specific ‘end time’ for your work each day and stick to it.

Conclusion

Breaking these seven habits was a game-changer for me, and it can be for you too. 

Start with one habit that resonates with you the most. Say goodbye to it and observe the changes in your energy levels and progress towards your goals.

Once you’ve mastered one, move on to the next.

With persistence and patience, you’ll find yourself less tired and closer to your goals than ever before. So keep pushing forward, and don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way.