So you want to be successful, but you’re worried that you don’t have any standout skills?
You’re not alone. Many of the most accomplished people started with little more than a strong desire to succeed and a willingness to make changes in their lives.
Success isn’t just about talent; it’s about habits. And more specifically, it’s often about letting go of the behaviors that hold you back.
If you’re ready to build a path toward success, start by saying goodbye to these eight behaviors. They might be comfortable, but they’re keeping you from reaching your potential.
1) Procrastination
The task seems daunting, so you put it off, telling yourself you’ll get to it later…but often you never do. Sounds familiar, right?
We’ve all been there but the truth is that procrastination is the silent killer of dreams.
Think about it. The more you delay tasks, the more they pile up. And when they pile up, they become even more daunting, causing further procrastination – a vicious cycle.
Successful people understand this. They know that putting things off only creates more stress and less productivity.
Achievement isn’t about having extraordinary skills—it’s about taking consistent action.
2) Overlooking the value of learning
This is a big one.
Truly successful people know that learning doesn’t stop when school ends—it’s a lifelong journey. They know that consistent learning is one of the most powerful tools for personal growth and success.
Research backs this up. Dr. Randall Bell, who has been studying success for over 25 years, found that “those who read seven or more books per year are more than 122 percent more likely to be millionaires as opposed to those who never read or only read one to three [books].”
The folks at the World Economic Forum have also acknowledged the importance of this. They ranked “Curiosity and lifelong learning” as the fifth most important skill for workers in their Future of Jobs 2023 report.
The world is changing quickly, and those who stay curious and continually develop their skills will be the ones to thrive.
Feel like you don’t have any real skills? Now is the best time to build them.
With countless resources available—books, online courses, podcasts, and workshops—you have everything you need at your fingertips. The barriers to learning have never been lower, so there’s no excuse not to dive in.
Start small, find topics that genuinely interest you, and let your curiosity lead the way. Lifelong learning isn’t just a habit; it’s a mindset that opens doors to endless possibilities.
3) Playing it safe
Success often lies outside of our comfort zones. It’s in the spaces where we stretch ourselves, take risks, and face our fears.
The behavior of playing it safe and sticking to what’s comfortable is a common barrier to success. It’s easy to stick with what we know, but growth rarely comes from comfort zones.
Successful people understand this. They see every stretch, every risk, as an opportunity for growth and learning. They aren’t afraid to step into the unknown because they know that’s where progress happens.
Embrace challenges, take calculated risks, and step out of your comfort zone. Skills can be learned, but a mindset for growth is what truly leads to success.
4) Comparing yourself to others
In this age of social media, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing our lives with others. We see their highlight reels and judge our behind-the-scenes against them.
This behavior of comparison can be extremely harmful. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and self-doubt. Instead of focusing on our own progress, we get caught up in how we stack up against others.
But here’s the thing: everyone has their own journey. Each person has their own set of challenges, victories, opportunities, and setbacks.
Comparing ourselves to others is like comparing apples to oranges—it just doesn’t make sense.
As advised by clinical psychologist, Dr. Jordan Peterson, “Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today”.
Focus on your own journey and celebrate your own progress. It’s not about being better than someone else—it’s about being the best version of you.
5) Resisting change
Have you ever found yourself clinging to the familiar, even when it’s clear it’s time to move on?
Change can be uncomfortable, even scary, but it’s one of the only constants in life.
Perhaps Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius put it best when he wrote: “Nature loves nothing so much as to change what it is and to create new things in their likeness.”
Embracing change is essential for growth.
Adaptability becomes a powerful tool, whether it’s stepping into a new role, learning a new skill, or adjusting to a fresh environment.
Rather than fearing change, view it as an opportunity to evolve, learn, and push beyond personal limits.
Moving with change creates momentum.
Welcome it, learn from it, and use it as a stepping stone on the path to success.
6) Ignoring self-care
Success isn’t just about achieving goals or climbing ladders. It’s also about taking care of yourself—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Ignoring self-care is a behavior that can lead to burnout and decreased productivity.
It may seem like you’re making progress by pushing through exhaustion or skipping meals, but this is a short-term view. In the long run, neglecting self-care can hinder your success.
Remember, your well-being is the foundation upon which all other success is built.
7) Not setting specific goals
Last but certainly not least, goals are the key to achieving anything in life.
Without clear, specific goals, it’s easy to drift without direction, tackling tasks without a real sense of purpose or progress.
As Tony Robbins wisely put it, “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.”
Start by thinking about what success truly means to you. What does that look like in your career, relationships, or personal life? Then, break that vision down into actionable, specific goals.
Setting goals not only provides clarity but also helps measure progress along the way. Whether it’s a daily, weekly, or yearly goal, each one becomes a stepping stone toward the life you want to build.
Don’t just wish for success—define it, plan it, and make it your reality.
Final thoughts: Success is a journey
The journey to success starts with small, intentional changes. It doesn’t require perfection or innate ability—just the willingness to adapt, learn, and keep moving forward.
So, take a hard look at these behaviors, commit to leaving them behind, and start building a path to your fullest potential.
Success is within reach, one choice at a time!
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