13 things you should quit doing to become the best version of yourself

Everybody dreams of being the best they can be, right?

The best at work, at home, or just generally in life.

But it’s not always easy to get there.

Sometimes, we have habits or ways of thinking that stop us from becoming our best selves.

Today, we’re going to talk about eight things you might need to stop doing to help you reach your full potential.

So get ready, it’s time for some big changes. 

1. Stop Doubting Yourself

First off, we need to address the elephant in the room – self-doubt.

It’s that nagging voice in your head that whispers, “You can’t do it”.

Everyone has doubts sometimes, but if you’re constantly doubting your abilities, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

It’s like trying to run a race with a heavy backpack; it’s only going to slow you down.

So, how about we make a deal? Starting now, every time that little voice starts whispering, we’re going to shout back, “Yes, I can!”

Because you know what? You really can.

Let’s start believing in ourselves and watch as we accomplish things we never thought possible.

2. Quit Procrastinating

Next up, we have a habit that many of us are guilty of – procrastination.

It’s so easy to say, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” but when tomorrow comes, we find another excuse.

The truth is, there will always be a reason to postpone things if we look for one.

But remember, time waits for no one. Every moment you spend delaying tasks could be spent doing something productive.

So whether it’s starting a new workout routine, enrolling in that course you’ve always wanted to take, or simply doing your laundry, stop waiting for ‘the right moment’.

Start now. No more excuses. No more “I’ll do it later”.

Remember, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now. 

3. Stop Neglecting Your Health

This is something I’ve learned the hard way. I used to burn the midnight oil, eating junk food, and skipping the gym because I was “too busy”.

But guess what? It caught up with me.

I was always tired, stressed out, and my work started to suffer.

That’s when I realized that neglecting my health wasn’t making me more productive.

In fact, it was doing the exact opposite.

So, I made some changes. I started eating healthier, going to bed earlier, and squeezing in a quick workout whenever I could.

And you know what? It made a huge difference. I felt more energized, focused, and just generally happier.

So here’s my advice to you: take care of your body. Eat right, sleep enough, and stay active.

Remember, your body is like a car; it needs regular maintenance to run smoothly.

If you neglect it, it’ll eventually break down.

So let’s make our health a priority; trust me, it’ll pay off in the long run. 

4. Quit Spending Too Much Time on Social Media

The average person spends more than 2 hours a day on social media.

That’s over 5 years over a lifetime! Imagine what we could do with all that time!

Now, I’m not saying you should quit social media entirely.

It’s a great way to stay connected with friends and family, keep up with the news, and even learn new things.

But too much of it can be detrimental. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and can even disrupt your sleep.

So try to limit your social media use. Instead of scrolling aimlessly through your feed, use that time to learn a new skill, read a book, or simply enjoy the world around you.

Remember, life is happening right now, in the real world, not on your phone screen. So let’s not miss it. 

5. Stop Holding Grudges

Holding onto anger and resentment can feel like carrying a heavy load on your shoulders. It drains your energy, steals your happiness, and can even affect your health.

But forgiveness, on the other hand, is like setting down that load. It’s about letting go of the past and making room for peace, happiness, and new beginnings.

Now, forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting what happened or allowing people to mistreat you.

It’s about accepting that what happened, happened and deciding not to let it control your life anymore.

So open your heart to forgiveness.

It may not be easy, it may take time, but it’s worth it.

Because at the end of the day, life is too short to hold onto negativity. 

6. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

This is something I used to struggle with a lot. I’d look at my friends, colleagues, or even strangers on the internet and think, “Why can’t I be more like them?”

But all this did was make me feel inadequate and unhappy.

Then one day, I realized something important.

We’re all on our own unique journey. We all have our own strengths, weaknesses, and life experiences.

Comparing my journey to someone else’s was like comparing apples and oranges – it just didn’t make sense.

So now, instead of comparing myself to others, I try to compare myself to who I was yesterday.

Am I making progress? Am I learning and growing? That’s what truly matters.

So here’s my advice to you: stop comparing your life to others’. Your journey is your own, and it’s beautiful in its own unique way.

Let’s embrace that, and focus on becoming the best we can be. 

7. Quit Ignoring Your Passions

How many of us are guilty of ignoring the things we truly love because we’re “too busy”?

We put our passions on the back burner, promising ourselves that we’ll get back to them “someday”. But more often than not, that “someday” never comes.

Here’s the hard truth – life is fleeting. It’s unpredictable. If we keep waiting for the perfect moment to pursue our passions, we might end up never pursuing them at all.

So whether you love painting, writing, hiking, dancing, or anything else, make time for it. Even if it’s just a few minutes a day.

Don’t let your life be all work and no play.

Remember, it’s those moments when we’re doing what we love that make life truly worth living.

8. Stop Fearing Failure

Did you know that Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, failed a thousand times before he finally succeeded?

When asked about it, he famously said, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.”

This is a powerful reminder that failure isn’t the end of the road, but rather an essential part of the journey to success.

Every mistake, every setback is a lesson that brings you one step closer to your goal.

So don’t let the fear of failure hold you back. Instead, embrace it. See it as a teacher, guiding you and helping you grow.

Remember, it’s not about how many times you fall, but how many times you get back up and keep going. 

9. Stop Saying Yes When You Want to Say No

This is something I’ve struggled with for a long time. I used to be a yes-person, always agreeing to things just to please others, even if it meant putting my own needs and wants aside.

I thought it would make people like me more, but all it did was leave me feeling overstretched and undervalued.

Then, I came to a realization. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to put yourself first. It doesn’t make you selfish or unkind.

In fact, by saying no when you need to, you’re respecting your own time and energy, and that’s a powerful thing.

So now, before I agree to something, I ask myself: Do I really want to do this? Do I have the time and energy for it? If the answer is no, then I politely decline.

And guess what? People understand. And those who truly care about you will respect your decision.

10. Quit Waiting for Perfect Conditions

Here’s the thing – perfect conditions don’t exist.

If you’re waiting for the stars to align before you start that project, go on that trip, or ask out that person you like, you might be waiting forever.

Life is messy and unpredictable – and that’s what makes it beautiful.

So don’t wait for the perfect moment. Make the moment perfect.

11. Stop Ignoring Your Mental Health

In our hustle and bustle, we often forget to check in with ourselves.

We ignore the signs of stress, anxiety, and depression, brushing them off as ‘just a bad day’.

But mental health is just as important as physical health. It’s okay to take a break.

It’s okay to ask for help. And most importantly, it’s okay not to be okay.

12. Quit Living in the Past

Memories can be beautiful, but they can also hold us back if we’re not careful.

If we spend too much time looking back, we might miss what’s happening right in front of us.

So let go of past regrets and hurts. Learn from them, but don’t let them define you.

Remember, you can’t change the past, but you can shape the future. So let’s focus on that.

13. Stop Trying to Please Everyone

This is a tough one to swallow, but here goes – you can’t please everyone.

No matter how hard you try, there will always be someone who isn’t happy with what you do or who you are. And that’s okay.

Because at the end of the day, the only person you need to please is yourself.

So there you have it – thirteen things to quit doing to become the best version of yourself. It’s not an easy journey, but it’s worth it.

Because you’re worth it!

Remember, change starts with a single step. So let’s take that step together, and see where the journey takes us.

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Picture of Lachlan Brown

Lachlan Brown

I’m Lachlan Brown, the editor of Ideapod and founder of Hack Spirit. I love writing practical articles that help others live a mindful and better life. I have a graduate degree in Psychology and I’ve spent the last 6 years reading and studying all I can about human psychology and practical ways to hack our mindsets. If you to want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Twitter or Facebook.

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