Raising standards in life isn’t just about adding good habits, it’s often about subtracting the negative behaviors that hold us back.

It’s like trying to run a race with weights on your ankles. You can train and push yourself harder, but you’ll only really start to fly when you remove those weights.

Eliminating these seven behaviors is the equivalent of removing those weights. It’s about making the choice to put your well-being and success first.

In this piece, I’ll guide you through what those behaviors are and how to kick them out of your life for good. This isn’t about manipulation or control, it’s about choosing a better way to live.

If you’re ready to level up, keep reading. Because it’s time to set some new standards for yourself.

1) Self-doubt

You know that nagging voice in your head? The one that keeps telling you that you’re not good enough, smart enough, or capable enough? That’s self-doubt.

It’s a sneaky behavior that creeps into our lives and holds us back from reaching our full potential. It’s like a shadow that’s always there, casting doubt on our abilities and undermining our confidence.

The challenge is, self-doubt can be incredibly convincing. It can make us second-guess ourselves and question our worth. And before we know it, we’ve talked ourselves out of pursuing our dreams or taking that next step forward.

But here’s the thing – self-doubt is not your friend. It doesn’t have your best interests at heart. It’s a behavior that needs to go if you want to raise your standards in life.

Start by recognizing when self-doubt is speaking and challenge its narrative. Remind yourself of your achievements and capabilities. Remember, you are more than capable of achieving greatness.

Eliminating self-doubt won’t happen overnight. But the more you practice, the easier it will become to silence that unhelpful voice and raise your standards in life.

2) Procrastination

Ah, procrastination. The fine art of putting off today what can be done tomorrow. It’s a behavior most of us are intimately familiar with.

I remember a time when I had this important report to write. It was a massive project and the deadline was looming. But instead of tackling it head-on, I found myself doing everything else but the report. I cleaned my desk, organized my emails, even watered the plants! Sound familiar?

Procrastination is a sneaky behavior that masquerades as productivity. We trick ourselves into believing we’re making progress because we’re busy doing something – anything – other than the task at hand.

But here’s what I’ve learned: Procrastination isn’t simply about laziness or poor time management. It’s often tied to fear – fear of failure, fear of success, fear of the unknown.

By recognizing and addressing the fears underlying your procrastination, you can start to overcome this harmful behavior.

And let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the sense of accomplishment and relief you feel when you finally tackle that task you’ve been putting off. It’s a small victory that raises your standards and boosts your confidence in life.

3) Neglecting self-care

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to push self-care to the bottom of our priority list. We often find ourselves focusing on work, family, and other commitments, leaving little to no time for ourselves.

Yet, research shows that neglecting self-care significantly impacts our physical and mental health. It leads to increased stress levels, decreased productivity, and a greater likelihood of experiencing burnout.

Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and face masks (though they can certainly be part of it!).

It’s about looking after your overall well-being. This includes eating healthily, getting regular exercise, ensuring you get adequate sleep, and taking time out for activities you enjoy.

Neglecting self-care might seem like a minor behavior compared to others, but its effects can be quite profound. By prioritizing self-care, you’re not just raising your standards in life; you’re setting yourself up for success in every area of your life.

4) Negative self-talk

Words have power, especially the ones we tell ourselves. Negative self-talk is a destructive behavior that can cast a dark cloud over our perceptions and experiences.

I’m sure we’ve all been there. We make a mistake, and instead of acknowledging it as a learning opportunity, we berate ourselves. Phrases like “I’m such an idiot” or “I can’t do anything right” become our mantra.

But here’s the catch: when we constantly indulge in negative self-talk, we start to believe it. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, limiting our potential and preventing us from raising our standards.

The good news is, we can change the narrative.

By consciously replacing negative thoughts with positive affirmations, we can start to shift our mindset. It’s about recognizing our worth and capabilities, and giving ourselves the same kindness and understanding we offer others.

5) Fear of failure

Failure can be a scary thing. It’s a big, looming monster that holds us back from taking risks and chasing our dreams. I remember a time when I wanted to start my own business. The idea excited me, but the thought of failing terrified me.

I spent countless nights worrying about all the things that could go wrong. The fear of failure was so strong that it paralyzed me. I was stuck in a loop of “What ifs” and worst-case scenarios.

But then, I realized something. Failure is not the end of the world. In fact, it’s often through failure that we learn the most valuable lessons. Sure, starting my own business was risky, and yes, there was a chance I could fail.

But there was also a chance I could succeed. And the only way to find out was to take the leap.

So I did. And guess what? There were bumps along the way, unexpected challenges, and yes, even moments of failure. But each one taught me something new and pushed me to grow and improve.

6) Living in the past

We’ve all experienced moments in our lives that we wish could be rewritten. Maybe it was a missed opportunity, a regrettable decision, or a hurtful experience. However, dwelling on the past can become a roadblock to raising our standards.

Living in the past holds us back because it prevents us from fully engaging in the present. It can lead to feelings of regret, guilt, or bitterness that stifle our growth and progress.

It’s essential to understand that while we can’t change what has happened, we can control how we react and move forward. Learning from our past, rather than living in it, allows us to grow and improve.

So instead of replaying old scenarios, focus your energy on creating new ones. Embrace the present moment and look forward to the future. After all, the best way to predict your future is to create it.

7) Comparing yourself to others

In today’s digital age, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing our lives with others. We scroll through social media feeds filled with picture-perfect moments and can’t help but feel inadequate.

But here’s the truth: Comparison is the thief of joy. When you constantly measure your life against someone else’s highlight reel, you’re setting yourself up for discontentment and self-doubt.

Your journey is unique. Your victories, your struggles, your path – they are all yours. So instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on being the best version of yourself.

Remember, the only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday. This mindset shift is a crucial step towards raising your standards in life.

Final thoughts: It’s about choice

Life is a beautiful and intricate tapestry of choices. Each decision we make, each behavior we choose to engage in or eliminate, shapes the trajectory of our journey.

When it comes to raising our standards in life, the power lies within us. It’s not about achieving perfection or living up to someone else’s expectations. It’s about choosing to let go of the behaviors that hold us back and embracing those that propel us forward.

As the renowned psychologist Carl Rogers once said, “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.”

Each day presents a new opportunity for growth, for change. The choice to eliminate these seven behaviors is not a one-time decision but an ongoing commitment.

So, as you navigate your journey, remember: Your standards in life are not defined by external factors or comparisons but by your choices, your actions, your commitment to growth. And that is a power that no one can take away from you.