Ever wondered why some people are more successful than others?

While it’s true that everyone has a unique path and pace in life, there are certain habits that can make a world of difference between success and mediocrity.

Success isn’t just about hard work or talent—it often demands taking risks. If you’re always playing it safe, chances are you’re holding onto certain habits that are keeping you from reaching your full potential.

In this article, we’re going to explore 10 habits you should get rid of if you want to have a shot at success in life.

1) Fear of failure

Playing it safe rarely leads you to extraordinary success, as success often requires stepping outside of your comfort zone. You might not realize it, but what might significantly hinder your progress is a fear of failure. 

You might find yourself hesitating before taking on new challenges, or even avoiding them altogether because you are afraid to fail.

This fear can be paralyzing and stop you from reaching your full potential. It keeps you from trying new things, taking risks, and exploring opportunities that could lead to great success.

The reality is, failure is a part of life and a stepping stone towards success. It’s how we find out what works and what doesn’t. It’s what you learn from these failures that truly counts.

Even the most successful people in the world have all failed at some point along their journey. But they didn’t let that stop them.

If you truly want to succeed in life, start viewing failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. Every failure brings you one step closer to success.

Embrace the possibility of falling short. You’ll find that the fear of failure becomes less daunting and you’ll be more willing to take risks and move forward in pursuit of your dreams.

2) Avoiding risks

In order to succeed, sometimes you need to take risks and embrace the unknown. Playing it safe and avoiding risks can significantly limit your potential.

You might find yourself constantly analyzing situations, making pros and cons lists, or only taking steps when you’re 100% sure of the outcome. This might seem like a logical approach, but risk is often associated with opportunity.

Innovation often happens when we think outside the box, take risks, and explore uncharted territories. If you always avoid taking risks at all costs and stick to the tried and tested path, you’re likely missing out on opportunities to innovate and grow.

So if you’re serious about succeeding in life, it’s time to stop avoiding risks altogether. Take calculated risks instead. Because every risk you take is a step towards potential growth and success.

There’s something beautiful in taking leaps of faith and embracing the unknown. You never know where it might lead you. 

3) Procrastination

While a little bit of procrastination can be harmless, when it becomes a habit, it can be detrimental to your success.

You might find yourself constantly putting off tasks until the last minute, promising yourself that you’ll do it ‘tomorrow’. But as the saying goes, “Tomorrow never comes.”

Procrastination hinders progress and can prevent you from reaching your goals in a timely manner.

Interestingly, procrastination isn’t always about laziness. Sometimes, it’s a symptom of fear – fear of failure, fear of success, or even fear of making decisions. Procrastinators often put off tasks because they’re scared of the outcome.

If you find yourself constantly delaying tasks, it’s time to address this habit. Start by setting small, achievable goals and gradually work your way up. This strategy can help boost your productivity and bring you closer to your dreams.

4) Being a perfectionist

Perfectionism can seem like a positive trait. It drives us to strive for the best and not settle for anything less. But often, it holds us back more than it propels us forward.

Perfectionists often set unrealistically high standards for themselves and are never satisfied with their performance. This constant quest for perfection can hinder progress as it may stop you from taking risks or trying new things for fear of not doing them perfectly.

Perfectionism can lead to procrastination and can prevent us from completing tasks or taking on new challenges. We’re so worried about getting everything just right that we end up not getting anything done at all.

Did you know that many successful people are not perfectionists? They understand that success is about progress, not perfection. Perfection is an unattainable goal. Instead, they take action, make progress and adjust the course along the way. 

So if you’re always striving for perfection, it’s time to let go of this habit. Instead of aiming for perfection, aim for progress.

Set realistic goals, act on them, celebrate your small wins and learn from your mistakes. That’s how you’ll truly succeed in life.

5) Negative self-talk 

Your thoughts shape your reality. A negative mindset can make us doubt our abilities and prevent us from taking on new challenges. It can erode confidence and make us feel like we’re not worthy of success.

We all have that little voice in our head, the one that can be our biggest critic. It’s the voice that says we aren’t good enough, smart enough, or capable enough. It’s the voice of negative self-talk, self-doubt and limiting beliefs that can hold us back in a big way.

But here’s the thing – that voice isn’t telling the truth. We are all capable of achieving great things, but first, we need to silence that negative voice in our head.

If you constantly belittle yourself and doubt your abilities, it’s going to be tough to succeed. Changing the way you talk to yourself can make a huge difference in your life. Start by recognizing your limiting beliefs and negative self-talk. Start filling your mind with positive affirmations.

You are more capable than you think. Don’t let those limiting beliefs and negative self-talk convince you otherwise.

6) Not setting boundaries

In the quest for success, many of us forget to set boundaries. We often end up taking on more than we can handle, whether it’s at work or in our personal lives.

You might find yourself continually saying ‘yes’ to every request or opportunity that comes your way, without considering if you have the time or energy to fulfill these commitments. While it’s important to seize opportunities, overcommitting can lead to stress and burnout.

Setting healthy boundaries is crucial for maintaining balance and ensuring that you don’t overextend yourself. It allows you to prioritize your time and energy towards the tasks that truly matter. 

If you’re someone who struggles with setting boundaries, it’s time to start prioritizing yourself. Learn to say ‘no’ to most distractions that do not bring you closer to your goals. 

The ability to say “no” is a crucial element for success. Time is the most valuable resource we have. Make every second count. Saying no frees up the space and time to let you solely focus on what truly matters in the long term. 

7) Resisting change

Success often requires adaptability and the ability to pivot when necessary. Life is constantly changing. New opportunities, technologies, and ideas emerge all the time. Being rigid in your ways and resistant to change can limit your options.

Lack of adaptability can hold you back from new experiences and opportunities. It can keep you from learning and growing. It can prevent you from adapting to the ever-changing world.

But the truth is, change is inevitable. And more often than not, it’s beneficial. It pushes you out of your comfort zone and forces you to adapt and grow.

So if you want to succeed in life, it’s time to embrace change. See it as an opportunity for growth and learning, not as a threat.

The only constant in life is change. Embrace it, and you’ll be better equipped for success.

8) Not believing in yourself

This one is close to the heart. Each one of us has a unique set of skills, talents, and abilities. But often, we fail to recognize our own potential. We doubt ourselves and our capabilities. This lack of self-belief can be a major roadblock on our journey to success.

Believing in yourself is a crucial part of achieving your goals. It’s about recognizing your potential and knowing that you have what it takes to succeed. Have faith in your choices, your path and your success. 

It’s about acknowledging your strengths and talents, and also understanding that it’s okay not to be perfect. No one is. But that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve great things.

So, if you’re going to say goodbye to one habit today, let it be this one. Believe in yourself, in your abilities, and in your potential. Because you are capable of so much more than you think.

Remember, believing in yourself is the first step to success. Don’t underestimate your potential. You are capable, you are deserving, and you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.

9) Overthinking

Overthinking is one of the major roadblocks to success.

Overthinking can paralyze us. Instead of taking action, we get stuck in our own heads, analyzing and re-analyzing every detail. We worry about what could go wrong, what others will think, and whether we’re making the right choice.

But here’s the thing – overthinking doesn’t lead to better decisions. Instead, getting stuck in a cycle of overthinking can lead to indecision, inaction and missed opportunities.

So if you’re prone to overthinking, it’s time to break the cycle. Start by recognizing when you’re overthinking and then take a step back. Take a deep breath and focus on the things you can control.

Life is full of uncertainty. And that’s okay. Embrace a more decisive approach towards the path of success and don’t let overthinking hold you back.

10) Not setting goals

Success doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of planning, hard work, and a clear vision of what you want to achieve. If you’re not setting goals, you’re like a ship sailing without a destination.

Goals give you a sense of direction and purpose. They provide a roadmap for where we want to go and how we’re going to get there. They motivate us, keep us focused, and help us measure our progress.

Without clear goals, it’s easy to drift aimlessly, without making any real progress. But with clear, achievable goals, you have a target to aim for.

So if you want to succeed in life, start setting goals. Make them SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound). And then commit to them.

Remember, success starts with setting goals. They are your roadmap to achieving your dreams.

Final thought: Success doesn’t happen overnight 

Success is not an overnight phenomenon but a long journey filled with ups and downs. Success is about stepping outside our comfort zones and embracing the unknown. This often requires letting go of the habits that hold you back.

Bidding farewell to the habits of playing too safe can be a game-changer. Changes take time, but consistency is key. Start by making small, consistent efforts to get rid of your old habits and cultivate new ones that bring you one step closer to your dreams.

Most importantly, stay committed to our dreams and never giving up. Keep going, keep growing, and never stop believing in yourself.