Growing, evolving, and becoming a better person with each passing year is a journey we all aspire to embark on.

However, it’s not always a smooth ride.

Certain habits can hold us back, preventing us from reaching our full potential and living authentically. These habits keep us stagnant while the world around us moves forward.

What habits? Well, that’s what we dive into today.

Let’s get to ’em. 

1) Living life on autopilot

How easy is it to get caught up in the rhythm of daily routines and forget to engage consciously with our experiences?

Too easy, I think most of us would agree. 

When we live on autopilot, we may easily overlook new opportunities for growth and learning. We might miss out on meaningful connections or fail to challenge ourselves in ways that stimulate personal growth and creativity.

Moreover, autopilot living can lead us into a state of complacency, where we are no longer actively pursuing our goals or seeking to improve ourselves. This is far from the resilient, proactive approach to life that fosters personal freedom and authentic living.

It’s crucial to remember that every day presents us with fresh opportunities to grow, learn, and evolve. But to seize these opportunities, we need to be fully present and engaged in our lives.

2) Neglecting self-care

Another habit that can hold us back is neglecting self-care. 

This isn’t just about pampering or indulging ourselves. It’s about respecting and nurturing our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It’s about carving out time for rest, reflection, and rejuvenation.

It’s about feeding our bodies with nourishing food, filling our minds with enriching thoughts, and surrounding ourselves with positive influences.

When we neglect self-care, we are not just doing ourselves a disservice but also those around us.  We can’t effectively contribute to our communities or relationships if we’re drained and depleted.

Don’t believe me? Experts such as those at Choosing Therapy have noted that practicing self-care can improve productivity, happiness, and relationships. 

We can’t pour from an empty cup.

3) Chasing the illusion of happiness

This one might seem counter-intuitive. After all, isn’t happiness what we all strive for?

Well, to a certain extent, yes. However, the problem lies not in seeking happiness but in misunderstanding what it truly means and where it comes from.

Happiness isn’t a constant state to be achieved. It isn’t a destination at the end of a journey. Instead, it’s found in the moments of genuine connection, personal achievement, and authentic living that sprinkle our lives.

When we chase happiness as an ultimate goal, we may miss these moments and end up feeling continually unfulfilled.

In my video on “the illusion of happiness,” I’ve delved deeper into why chasing happiness can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction. I challenge the common belief that pursuing happiness is the key to a fulfilling life and share insights on how true contentment comes from within.

I invite you to watch this video and perhaps gain a fresh perspective on what it means to live a fulfilled life.

If you find this helpful and wish to join our community of over 20,000 subscribers exploring a life filled with more purpose and freedom, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel. You can do so by clicking here.

4) Avoiding personal responsibility

It’s so easy to blame external circumstances or other people for our problems and shortcomings. However, this habit prevents us from owning our actions, learning from our mistakes, and ultimately, evolving into better versions of ourselves.

Taking responsibility for our lives means acknowledging that we are the primary architects of our own experiences. It means accepting that while we can’t control everything that happens to us, we do have control over how we respond.

This realization can be a tough pill to swallow. It requires confronting the uncomfortable truth that we are not victims of our circumstances but active participants in shaping our destiny.

But there’s an empowering flip side to this coin. Taking personal responsibility can lead to liberation. It’s the path to resilience, personal freedom, and authentic living. It’s the cornerstone of true empowerment.

5) Always seeking comfort

Most of us crave stability and predictability, and we try to avoid discomfort at all costs. But this can be a significant roadblock to personal growth.

You see, comfort can be a breeding ground for complacency. When we’re always comfortable, we’re less likely to explore new perspectives, challenge ourselves or seek out opportunities for growth. We may miss out on the potential for innovation and creativity that often springs from discomfort.

Embracing discomfort doesn’t mean inviting unnecessary hardship into our lives. It means stepping outside of our comfort zones when it serves our growth and evolution. It means recognizing that some of the most valuable lessons come from facing challenges, making mistakes, and navigating the unknown.

In this sense, saying goodbye to constant comfort is an essential step towards becoming a better person as we age. It’s about choosing growth over stagnation, even when the former is uncomfortable.

6) Holding onto limiting beliefs

Limiting beliefs are the unseen shackles that hinder our growth and potential. 

These are the internal narratives that convince us we’re not good enough, talented enough, or simply ‘enough’ in some way. They tell us that our dreams are too big, our desires too grand, and our abilities too limited.

The truth is, these beliefs are not facts, but rather self-imposed limitations. They’re the product of past experiences, societal expectations, and fear of failure. 

…and the longer we hold onto them, the more they shape our reality.

As put by Henry Ford, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.”

Breaking free from limiting beliefs involves challenging these narratives and replacing them with empowering ones. It requires doing the inner work to confront our fears, question our assumptions, and cultivate self-compassion.

7) Ignoring the value of community

In an increasingly connected world, it’s easy to overlook the profound importance of supportive communities and authentic relationships. We may get so caught up in our personal pursuits that we forget how essential it is to connect with others.

Communities provide us with a sense of belonging. They offer us support during challenging times and celebrate with us during moments of joy. Authentic relationships encourage us to explore different perspectives, challenge our ideas, and promote personal growth.

Isolating ourselves or neglecting our communities can lead to a life that feels empty and unfulfilling. On the other hand, investing in our relationships and communities enriches our lives with shared experiences, mutual growth, and collective resilience.

8) Fear of failure

Last but certainly not least, the fear of failure can be paralyzing. It can prevent us from taking risks, stepping out of our comfort zones, and pursuing our goals.

But failure isn’t something to be feared. It’s a part of the journey to becoming better versions of ourselves. Every good person has failed.

When we embrace obstacles and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning, we transform our relationship with failure. Instead of viewing it as a devastating end, we begin to see it as valuable feedback and an invitation to adapt, evolve, and grow.

Saying goodbye enables us to approach life with courage, resilience, and a spirit of exploration. 

The bottom line 

The bottom line is simple: breaking free from habits that limit your growth is the first step to becoming a better, more authentic version of yourself.

It’s about challenging the automatic behaviors, self-sabotage, and societal pressures that keep you stagnant.

Every step you take towards becoming a better person contributes to a more empathetic, compassionate, and collaborative world. So, ask yourself: What habits do I need to bid farewell to on my journey towards personal growth?

If you’d like to join my community of over 20,000 subscribers exploring more insights on personal growth, resilience, and living a life filled with purpose and freedom, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel. You can do so by clicking here.