If you want to reach your full potential in life, say goodbye to these 7 behaviors

Let’s face it. No matter how hard we try, it can be easy to get caught up in the daily grind – AKA life.

Each day, bogged down by mundane (yet necessary) tasks, responsibilities, and obligations.

You know, boring grown-up stuff. Snore.

But here’s the thing. 

Life is filled with challenges. Some big, some small, and others? Well, they’re enough to test the strongest wills. 

But deep down, you know they’re not the problem.

Not really. 

And in order to get unstuck and move forward, you need to reflect on what’s actually holding you back. 

I’m talking about the habits preventing you from reaching your full potential in life.

With that in mind, here are seven behaviors to say goodbye to if you want to succeed and facilitate positive change. 

1) Giving up before you’ve even begun

“I’ll never get that [insert ambition here]” “…So what’s the point of trying?”

Sounds pretty pessimistic reading it back, doesn’t it?

But sadly, it’s a common thread amongst those not living up to their full potential. 

Whatever the reason, be it a fear of failure, low self-esteem, or a general defeatist attitude, the result is the same. 

You’re telling yourself you’re incapable of something before you’ve even started.

But let me ask you this. 

If you haven’t even tried yet, how do you already know the outcome? 

The simple answer is, you don’t. Not unless you’re some kind of clairvoyant. 

The fact is, this negative mindset wasn’t something you were born with. No, it’s a learned behavior and one you need to ditch if you’re ever going to achieve your goals. 

Instead, replace that self-limiting belief with some positive thinking. 

Backed up by research, psychologists claim that a positive attitude can improve your chances of success. 

2) Leaving tasks to the last minute

You’re doing it right now, aren’t you?

Looking down at your phone (reading this) when you should be doing something else.

I know this – because I do it too.  At least, I used to. 

That was before I learned about the benefits of “eating the frog.”

What’s that, you ask? Good question. 

Mark Twain famously once said: 

“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”

Don’t worry, he didn’t mean a literal frog (before you start @ing me). 

Simply put, STOP procrastinating and START managing your time better. 

Putting things off can seriously limit your productivity and prevent you from achieving your goals. So, if you want to advance, learn to prioritize your tasks in order of importance. 

That way, you can focus on what counts. Not to mention, save yourself a lot of stress, anxiety, and other health issues in the long run. 

Of course, procrastination doesn’t mean that you’re lazy. Oftentimes, it’s a sign of perfectionism.

3) Overthinking EVERY itsy-bitsy detail

Hands up if you’ve ever put “detail-orientated” or “perfectionist” on your résumé.  

I know I have. 

Typically, these are seen as good qualities. Especially when applying for a job.

But like most things in life, only in moderation. Let me explain.

When you become too obsessed with “getting it perfect,” it can actually prevent you from making progress.

You overthink it. 

In fact, there’s a difference between perfectionism and striving for excellence. The latter is the positive of the two. 

In a nutshell, those high standards (while good-intentioned) are unrealistic. 

And coming from a recovering perfectionist (hello, that’s me), nothing will ever “be good enough.” 

Not to you, anyway. 

So, until you accept that perfect isn’t attainable, you’ll continue to feel stuck and burnt out (the list goes on). 

Not to mention, being crippled by your fear of falling short or being judged by others.

4) Letting fear dictate your life

Fear is a natural human response when we’re in trouble or danger. 

It’s instinctive. 

But what happens when fear starts to take over your life, compromising your decision-making skills? 

Let me tell you, it’s not good.

In fact, it’s stopping you from reaching your full potential. Particularly if it leaves you actionless, avoidant, or indecisive.

Here’s the thing. 

As the old adage goes “If there is no risk, there is no reward.” By embracing failure, you’re opening yourself up to new possibilities and opportunities. 

At the end of the day, learning from your mistakes is how we develop and grow as people. 

What’s more, without uncertainty, the world would be a boring place.

5) Saying “yes” (when you really want to say “no”)

Do you feel guilty saying the word “no”?

I know what you mean, it’s difficult to disappoint others. Just the thought of it sends shudders down my spine!

But saying “yes” to every little commitment, opportunity, or favor is a surefire way to spread yourself too thin. 

As a result, you’re more likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, and burnout. Not to mention, it doesn’t leave you much time to focus on your goals or ambitions. 

Look… 

Sometimes in life, you need to nip your people-pleasing behavior in the bud. Before it gets out of hand.

It’s hard, I know.

But when all is said and done, there’s only so much time you can dedicate to others. And that’s okay! 

It doesn’t make you a bad person.

Besides, without prioritizing your own self-care, establishing boundaries, and having the confidence to say “no” how will you ever reach your full potential?

That said, saying “yes” can also be a good thing – if it benefits you.

6) Not saying “yes” enough 

Does uncertainty and change make you break out in cold sweats?

Well, you could be missing out. 

And refusing to adapt to new circumstances or ideas can hinder your progress.

In fact, that resistance to change is likely preventing you from necessary personal growth and development. 

Two ingredients you need to reach your full potential. 

Listen…

I get it, the unknown is scary. 

But until you give it a go, you’ll never know what skills you may possess. Not unless you exit your comfort zone and remain open-minded.

That’s why when opportunity knocks, say “yes.” 

Or at the very least, consider it. 

You never know, you may enjoy what it brings and if it doesn’t work out, think of it as a life lesson. 

And remember, with experience comes wisdom. 

7) Doubting yourself 

Do you constantly second-guess yourself? Unable to pull the trigger without getting the go-ahead from someone else. 

Perhaps you regularly compare yourself to others. Or, maybe you’re simply surrounded by unsupportive people, who undermine your confidence.

The truth is, this self-destructive behavior isn’t helping you on your quest for self-discovery.

In fact, it’s borderline self-sabotage.

Doubt and the need for social validation are only going to shatter your self-esteem and thwart your efforts.

To move forward, you need to focus on your own journey and measure success by your own standards.

So, allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them. It’s the only way you’re going to understand how to improve and ultimately, reach your full potential in life.