If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for ways to improve yourself and achieve success.

But sometimes, it’s not about what we need to do, but what we need to stop doing.

Success isn’t just about adopting positive habits; it’s also about saying goodbye to behaviors that are holding us back.

You see, certain behaviors can become roadblocks on our path to success.

So if your aim is to be highly successful in life, wave goodbye to these eight behaviors that might be standing in the way of your success.

1) Procrastination

We’ve all been there. The task is right in front of us, but we choose to delay it because it’s too hard, too boring, or we’re just not in the mood.

Welcome to the world of procrastination.

Procrastination is a common behavior that many of us are guilty of, but it can be a real hindrance on our path to success.

It’s like a heavy chain, slowing us down and preventing us from reaching our full potential.

It’s not just about wasting time…

Research shows that procrastination can lead to stress, poor performance and can even ruin our reputation.

After all, who wants to work with or invest in someone who can’t meet deadlines?

You might think you work better under pressure, but in reality, it’s just an excuse to put things off.

Breaking free from the chains of procrastination isn’t easy, but it’s essential if you want to reach your goals.

Start with small steps, like setting realistic deadlines and sticking to them.

Over time, you’ll build the discipline needed to overcome this detrimental behavior.

2) Fear of failure

Fear of failure is a crippling behavior that can keep us from pursuing our dreams and reaching our potential.

It’s that voice in the back of our heads telling us we’re not good enough, we’ll mess up, or people will laugh at us.

The truth is, failure is an integral part of success.

Every successful person has faced failure at some point in their journey.

It’s not about avoiding failure, but learning from it, growing from it, and using it as a stepping stone to success.

Don’t let fear of failure hold you back. Instead, embrace it.

Understand that it’s a part of the process and not the end of the world.

Use it as motivation to work harder and smarter, and never let the fear of failing prevent you from trying in the first place.

3) Negativity

Negativity can be a real dream killer. I know because I’ve been there.

It was a time in my life when everything seemed to be going wrong and positivity felt like a foreign concept.

But I realized that negativity was only adding fuel to the fire, making things worse and blocking my path to success.

Negative thoughts create a negative reality. They:

• Drain our energy
• Hinder our progres
• Prevent us from seeing the opportunities in front of us

It took some time and effort, but I learned to shift my mindset and focus on the positive. And let me tell you, it made all the difference.

If you want to be successful in life, you need to ditch the negativity. Start cultivating a positive mindset and see how your life starts to change.

4) Avoiding discomfort

Success often lies outside of our comfort zones.

It’s in those moments when we push ourselves, face challenges head-on, and develop our mental toughness that we truly grow.

I’ve learned this firsthand.

In fact, it’s such a critical aspect of success that I wrote an entire book about it called “The Art of Resilience: A Practical Guide to Developing Mental Toughness”.

In the book, I delve into how embracing discomfort can help us forge the mental toughness needed for success.

Avoiding discomfort might give us temporary relief, but in the long run, it stunts our growth and keeps us from achieving our goals.

So if your aim is to be successful, start challenging yourself.

Step outside your comfort zone, embrace discomfort, and build your mental toughness. 

5) Overworking

This might sound counter-intuitive, but hear me out.

We often equate success with long hours and constant hustle. But the reality is, overworking can actually hinder our progress towards success.

Overworking leads to burnout, decreases productivity, and adversely affects our physical and mental health.

It’s like running a marathon at a sprinter’s pace – you’ll exhaust yourself before you even get to the finish line.

Rather than pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion, it’s crucial to find a balance.

Success isn’t just about working hard; it’s also about working smart. It’s about knowing when to take a break, recharge, and come back stronger.

So if you’re aiming for success, remember that overworking isn’t the answer.

Balance is key.

Work hard, but also take care of your physical and mental wellbeing. That way, you’ll have the energy and clarity of mind to achieve your goals.

6) Being a perfectionist

Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword.

On one hand, it drives us to strive for excellence and put forth our best work.

On the other hand, it can lead to procrastination, stress, and dissatisfaction when our results don’t meet our excessively high standards.

The pursuit of perfection can prevent us from taking risks or trying new things due to fear of failure or not meeting our own expectations.

It can also cause us to spend too much time on insignificant details, hindering our productivity and progress towards our goals.

Instead of striving for perfection, aim for progress.

Accept that mistakes and setbacks are part of the journey to success. Learn from them and use them as stepping stones to improve and move forward.

Embrace the concept of ‘good enough’.

It doesn’t mean settling for mediocrity, but rather acknowledging that sometimes, done is better than perfect.

7) Resistance to change

Change can be scary, I know. I’ve had my fair share of moments when I dug my heels in, resisting change because of the fear of the unknown.

But I’ve also learned that change is often the catalyst to growth and success.

Whether it’s a change in our personal life or professional career, resisting it only keeps us stuck in our comfort zones.

But growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. It’s when we adapt and embrace change that we open doors to new opportunities and experiences.

So if your goal is to be highly successful in life, say goodbye to resistance to change. Embrace the uncertainty, adapt, and grow. 

8) Lack of self-belief

Self-belief is a fundamental building block of success. It’s the driving force that pushes us to take action, persevere during tough times, and achieve our goals.

But a lack of self-belief can hold us back, making us question our abilities and worth.

If you don’t believe in yourself, it’s hard to convince others to believe in you.

Doubting your capabilities can prevent you from seizing opportunities, taking risks, and reaching your full potential.

So if you’re aiming for success, it’s time to boost your self-belief.

• Start recognizing your achievements, no matter how small.
• Celebrate your progress.
• Surround yourself with positivity.

Final thoughts

Success isn’t just about the actions we take, but also about the behaviors we let go of.

Letting go of these 8 behaviors is crucial if you’re serious about achieving high levels of success.

By focusing on what truly matters and eliminating the actions that hold you back, you’ll create a clear path toward reaching your goals.

In my book, “The Art of Resilience: A Practical Guide to Developing Mental Toughness”, I delve deeper into how we can harness our inner strength to overcome challenges and build a successful life.