If you really want to elevate your life, say goodbye to these 8 behaviors

Want a better life?

Sometimes it’s not just about doing good stuff. It’s also about stopping the bad stuff that holds you back.

Think of your life like a balloon. Some habits are like rocks that keep you from floating up.

In this article, we’ll talk about 8 things you should stop doing if you want to make your life awesome.

1. Stop Doubting Yourself

You know that little voice in your head that says, “You can’t do it”?

Yeah, it’s time to tell that voice to take a hike.

Self-doubt is like a leak in a boat; it’ll sink you if you let it spread.

Think about it. When you doubt yourself, you’re less likely to try new things. Less likely to take risks.

And guess what? No risk, no reward.

So the next time you think you can’t do something, flip the script. Tell yourself you can.

And even if you fail, so what? At least you tried, and that’s a step closer to getting where you want to be.

2. Quit Procrastinating

Ah, procrastination, my old friend—or should I say, frenemy?

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve spent way too much time scrolling through social media or binge-watching shows when I should’ve been doing something more productive.

Trust me, I get the allure.

But here’s the deal: Every minute you spend putting things off is a minute you’re not moving closer to your dreams.

Procrastination is like hitting the ‘pause’ button on your life. And the worst part? That ‘pause’ can turn into a ‘stop’ if you’re not careful.

So, the next time you think about delaying that project or skipping that workout, ask yourself: “Is this helping me get where I want to go?”

If the answer’s no, it’s time to get moving.

3. Saying “Yes” When You Really Want to Say “No”

Look, I get it. Saying “yes” is easy. It makes people like you. It avoids conflict.

I’ve been there, saying “yes” to things I didn’t want to do, just to keep the peace or because I felt like I “should.”

But here’s the raw truth:

Saying “yes” when you want to say “no” is like selling pieces of yourself for some cheap approval.

You end up doing stuff you don’t want to do, feeling resentful, and guess what? You’re still not happy.

Plus, you’re way busier than you want to be, doing things that don’t even matter to you.

Time is the one thing you can’t get back.

Don’t waste it doing stuff that doesn’t make you happy or help you grow.

It’s not selfish to say “no” sometimes. It’s self-care, and that’s something we all need more of.

4. Being Too Focused on Your Goals

Wait, what? Isn’t having goals a good thing? Absolutely, it is.

But here’s the counterintuitive part: Being too laser-focused on your goals can actually hold you back. Stick with me here.

We often get so wrapped up in the endgame that we forget to enjoy the journey.

Or even worse, we become so rigid in our plans that we ignore better opportunities when they come knocking.

It’s like driving with blinders on; you’ll get to your destination, sure, but you might miss a more scenic or faster route.

So, while it’s great to have goals, don’t let them turn you into a robot who can’t adapt or enjoy the moment.

Keep your eyes on the prize, but don’t forget to look around you, too. Life’s too short to miss out on the good stuff that wasn’t in your original plan.

5. Avoiding Hard Conversations

It’s human nature to want to dodge awkward or tough conversations.

Whether it’s a chat about relationship issues, a confrontation at work, or a heart-to-heart with a friend, facing conflict head-on can be really uncomfortable.

But here’s the kicker: Avoiding these conversations doesn’t make the problem go away; it usually just makes things worse.

It’s like ignoring a leak in your roof and hoping it’ll fix itself. Spoiler alert: It won’t.

By stepping up and addressing issues directly, you’re not just solving immediate problems; you’re also building stronger relationships and developing as a person.

Yes, it’s hard, but the reward is a life with fewer elephants in the room—and trust me, that’s a life that’s way easier to navigate.

6. Ignoring Your Health

I’ll be honest, I’ve been guilty of this one. It’s so easy to say, “I’ll start eating better tomorrow,” or “I’ll hit the gym next week.”

But tomorrow and next week come and go, and you find yourself stuck in the same old unhealthy loop.

The hard truth is, ignoring your health is like neglecting the foundation of a house while you’re busy painting the walls.

Sure, the paint might look nice for a while, but eventually, the cracks start to show.

I learned this the hard way. A few years back, I was juggling so many things that I stopped taking care of myself.

Let me tell you, nothing brings you back to reality faster than a health scare.

Your body is your vehicle through life. If you don’t maintain it, you won’t get far—or you’ll get there much slower and unhappier.

Make the time to eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep. Your future self will thank you.

7. Always Being “Positive”

Hold on, isn’t positivity a good thing?

Sure, a positive attitude can go a long way, but here’s where it gets tricky:

Being positive shouldn’t mean ignoring reality or brushing off problems. In fact, forcing a smile all the time can actually be harmful.

This is what some people call “toxic positivity,” and it’s a real thing.

It’s like slapping a happy sticker over your check engine light; you’re ignoring important signals that something needs to be addressed.

Sometimes you need to acknowledge that things aren’t okay in order to make them okay.

I know, it sounds counterintuitive, but facing your negative emotions can be the most positive thing you do.

It allows you to address the real issue, learn from it, and move on as a wiser, more resilient person.

8. Comparing Yourself to Others

In today’s world of social media and highlight reels, it’s so easy to look at other people’s lives and think, “Why isn’t my life like that?”

But here’s the truth: Comparing yourself to others is a one-way ticket to feeling inadequate and unhappy.

Remember, most people only show their best moments online.

You’re not seeing the struggles, the doubts, the hard work.

It’s like comparing your behind-the-scenes footage to someone else’s blockbuster movie.

Instead of looking sideways, look forward.

Focus on your own journey, your own progress, your own happiness.

The only person you should be in competition with is the you of yesterday.

If you’re better today than you were then, you’re winning. And that’s what really matters.

Did you like my article? Like me on Facebook to see more articles like this in your feed.

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.

Enhance your experience of Ideapod and join Tribe, our community of free thinkers and seekers.

Related articles

Most read articles

Get our articles

Ideapod news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.

0:00
0:00