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The Bad Habits that Can Keep You From Living Your Very Best Life
Rev. Dr. Kitty Boitnott, NBCT, RScP
Heart-Centered Career Transition & Job Search Coach
In this continuing series on how to live your very best life, I would like to share with you the bad habits that could stop you from living the life you want and deserve.
All of us want to be successful in life. We know, however, that success doesn't come out of the blue, nor does it happen overnight.
You have to be intentional about it if you want success in your life.
You also need to be aware of the stumbling blocks and challenges that can hold you back. Without being aware, you can sabotage your success with bad habits and a negative mindset.
Here are some of the challenges you might have to overcome if you want to succeed in life.
1. Avoid dwelling on regrets.
People make mistakes in life. The difference between those who win and those who lose is that winners do not dwell on their mistakes. They refuse to allow themselves to be defined by their past. They also refuse to spend precious time reliving those mistakes. Dwelling on regrets will stop you from living the victorious life you want and deserve.
2. Stop procrastinating.
Do you routinely put off what needs to be done? Now don't get me wrong. We all indulge in the occasional practice of putting off until tomorrow what we could do today.
BUT the habit of procrastination is the enemy of success.
It is also the thief of time. Genuinely successful people get in the habit of doing the challenging tasks on their to-do list first instead of putting them off. If procrastination is one of your bad habits, kick it to the curb right now, and start building the habit of tending to challenging projects first instead of putting them off.
3. Don't allow your failures to control you.
Do you have an "I can't" attitude?
Just this week, I talked to a gentleman who gave me one reason after another why I couldn't help him even though he was asking for help.
I finally gave in. I told him that he was right. I couldn't help him because I can't help those who are committed to failure. He was a classic example of letting his past missteps and misfortunes define who he is today. And he is so convinced that he is right, guess what? He is right. He will stay stuck for the foreseeable future because he is committed to punishing himself for his past mistakes.
It is a fact that fear of failure is often the sole factor that keeps people from going for their dream.
But it would help if you remembered that you are not the sum of your losses. If you have ever experienced failure--and who hasn't?--all that says about you is that you tried. You "dared to be in the arena," as Theodore Roosevelt once said. Most of the people who might ridicule you about failure wouldn't even attempt what you did.
Please don't let a fear of failure control whether you go for the success you want.
4. Giving in to self-doubt.
Too many of us succumb to our self-doubts about our capacity for success. We listen to that little voice in the back of our heads that tries to tell us we aren't good enough. "Who do you think you are, anyway?" is often a question lurking in the back of our heads.
That jeering voice and those deep-seated doubts keep you from living your best life.
Don't let those self-doubts win. Start believing in yourself. Start chasing your dreams.
The only way you can stop doubting yourself is by having a life purpose. And you will only be able to do that if you are courageous enough to begin working on your ideas.
5. Failing to put into action the inspiration you have gotten from books.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Some books leave us free, and some books make us free."
Books can inspire you in ways you could never anticipate. New learning from reading that encourages you to take action will bring about the freedom and success you seek for yourself.
The same book won't impact everyone the same, of course. We all take from books the learning that we need from them. But I encourage you to read profusely to find the books that can inspire you to take action so you can create the success you want.
6. Indulging in jealousy.
Jealousy is one of those emotions that spring from failing to live your life the way you are meant to. You become envious of other people's successes.
As a result, you spend more time dwelling on their achievements and less time concentrating on yours. Stop paying attention to what others are doing and focus on your life and what you want for yourself.
7. Not listening to advice from the right people.
Seeking advice is not a sign of weakness. It is, in fact, an indication that you are on the right path.
Listening to the advice of the right people is a sign that you are going places that most people only dream of. Successful people have coaches and mentors.
Learn from those who have already experienced success. Let them show you the way. Seek out people who have much to teach you.
8. Refusing help even when you need it.
One of the qualities shared by the most accomplished individuals in the world is the ability to accept help occasionally. Rejecting help is one of the things that can stop you from succeeding.
Everyone needs help occasionally. We aren't always able to be totally self-sufficient. We hit mental roadblocks or we run out of the capital we need to start a new business. We need to seek help and be willing to accept it when it is offered.
9. Allowing yourself to be surrounded by pessimists.
If the people you spend most of your time with are known for negativity, you need to change your inner circle. Find people who are excited about their own lives and are also happy about yours.
You want to surround yourself with optimists who have a can-do attitude...not the pessimists who are all too ready to poopoo any idea you might have.
10. Not making your health a priority.
You can't buy good health. And no one else can take care of your health but you. You also cannot live a life that feels victorious unless you feel well. And you can't feel well if you aren't taking care of your physical needs.
You need to drink plenty of water, eat for good nutrition, sleep well, exercise routinely, breathe deeply, and engage in preventative health measures. See your physician for regular checkups.
Also, when something feels "off." Be proactive. You cannot live your best life if you aren't healthy and vibrant.
One bonus tip is you need to commit yourself to your success. If you don't believe you can live your best life full of health, happiness, and prosperity, guess what?
You won't be able to.
But don't you deserve to live your best life? Of course, you do! Everyone does.
So if anyone of the items above causes a challenge for you, take some time to tackle it. Either eliminate a harmful practice or actively incorporate a positive one so you can be as happy and prosperous as you deserve.
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