Remember, genius is 99 perspiration, 1 percent inspiration. 

In other words, you can have all the potential in the world, but without putting the time and effort in, it’s essentially going to waste. 

Good ideas can only take you so far. 

I’ve known people who’ve had downright revolutionary business ideas and concepts… but who also lacked the motivation to execute them thoroughly. 

And sure enough, they went nowhere. 

The most successful people in the world not only are innovative, but they work hard. 

So if you want to join their ranks, it’s time to start making a few changes. 

In this article, I’ll take you through the habits you need to let go of, if you want to genuinely succeed in life. 

Let’s get to it! 

1) Procrastination

Once you get into a cycle of procrastination, it can be crippling. 

Trust me, starting is the hardest part; a part that is mostly mental. 

When you get into the swing of things, you’ll be fine. Work and routine become almost effortless.

You see, once you start delaying tasks, this can lead to things building up, which, in turn, leads to unnecessary stress and feeling overwhelmed. 

If you tend to get mentally overpowered by the prospect of starting, switch things up. 

Try breaking tasks into smaller, manageable pieces to make them seem less daunting. 

Whenever I have a lot of work, I like to mentally break things down per step rather than overwhelm myself by consistently thinking of all the things that have to be accomplished. 

You’d be surprised how far this minor shift in thinking can take you in terms of productivity. 

2) Skipping sleep

Getting good sleep is a big deal. 

Sleep is a crucial period for your body and mind to restore and heal itself. 

So if you’re regularly staying up late and getting minimal sleep, you’re unknowingly pushing your body to the limit. 

Be kind to yourself. Adequate sleep is crucial for energy levels, mood, productivity, and so on. 

Be sensible. Don’t undersleep; don’t oversleep.

Establish a routine and schedule. 

Aim for 7-9 hours per night to keep your body and mind in top shape. 

Once you make the transition, you’ll notice a difference in no time. 

3) Poor dietary choices 

In case you haven’t gotten the memo, your diet plays a major role in making or breaking your energy levels. 

It’s not rocket science: when it comes to eating, strive for balance. 

Sure, you can have the occasional binge or cheat day, but don’t let this become your status quo. 

Generally speaking, you should stay away from processed food, foods high in sugar, and unhealthy fats… all of which can tremendously affect your energy and motivation, making you feel perpetually sluggish and tired. 

Instead, as much as possible, incorporate plenty of vegetables and whole grains into your meals; the type of sustenance and fuel that will motivate you and sharpen your mind. 

4) Neglecting fitness 

Having a sedentary lifestyle will never do you any favors, so get off that couch. 

Regular physical activity boosts energy and endorphins, improving overall motivation. 

Even short walks or stretches can make a world of difference. 

Whenever I feel like I’m in a rut for work, I make it a point to get moving. Maybe I’ll hit the gym or just take a brisk walk with my dogs through the neighborhood. 

When I return to my laptop, I feel energized and my head feels clear. 

It’s amazing really. So take this as your cue to break a sweat. No more excuses. 

5) Overcommitting

I have a friend who doesn’t know how to say a firm “no,” a habit that speaks to his people-pleasing nature. 

He likes the positive attention and feedback of saying “yes” to everyone, of being in their good graces, of being the village “yes man.” 

But while they appreciate him for a while, when he inevitably falls short, they ultimately become disenchanted. 

Occasionally, he’ll even lose friends. 

Overcommitting is a bad habit. 

Saying yes to everything can (and usually does) lead to burnout. 

Learn to be realistic; prioritize tasks and decline requests that do not align with your goals. 

Once you start putting your foot down, you’ll gain an extra dose of self-confidence and motivation too. 

Again, make it a point to be kinder to yourself; mitigate stress by making the right decisions. 

6) Excessive screen time 

Nobody is safe from mindless scrolling. 

Getting caught up in the limitless stimuli of reels and posts on social media is incredibly easy and, frankly, alluring. 

Just the other day, I ended up scrolling through reels for almost two hours. 

I emerged from the digital trance in a near-catatonic state, confused and guilty for not doing something more productive. 

Spending too much time on devices can positively sap your energy, relentlessly distracting you from more fulfilling activities. 

If you’re already susceptible to things like laziness or procrastination, your phone can be your worst enemy. 

Mindfully set digital limits. Have self-control. 

Put your phone out of reach when you’re supposed to be working, only allowing yourself access during breaks. 

7) Not setting goals

For you to be thoroughly motivated in life, you need to have concrete goals to work towards. 

Without clear goals, it’s not easy to stay motivated… it’s just that simple. 

Have achievable objectives for different aspects of your life, both in the long and short term, to give your efforts direction and purpose. 

Be specific. Write them down. Celebrate little victories. 

Coasting through life will only take you so far. Real talk. 

8) Avoiding learning

Once your knowledge of the world becomes stagnant, this will naturally be demotivating. 

The world is a constantly changing, exciting place with fresh lessons at every corner. 

If you remain open to learning and staying engaged, this will inspire you to keep on moving. 

Think of the most innovative and successful people in the world. 

I’ll bet they didn’t reach such towering heights by remaining intellectually closed and inflexible.  

Read, take courses, and seek new experiences. Everything adds up, at the end of the day.