By Isabel Cabrera
Success can often feel like an elusive concept in a world filled with high-achievers and go-getters.
If you’re not one of them, you might feel like you’re lagging behind, or worse, doomed to fail.
But it’s not always about what you’re doing; more often than not, it’s about what you’re not doing.
Ever find yourself wondering why you’re not as successful as you should be?
Well, let me tell you, if you exhibit certain behaviors, you might just be setting yourself up for failure.
Ready to know more? Let’s dive into the 10 behaviors that could be holding you back from success.
1) You avoid taking risks
A glaring behavior that might be standing in your way of success is your aversion to taking risks.
You prefer to stay within your comfort zone because it’s, well, comfortable. Venturing out into the unknown scares you, and so you choose to stick to what you know best.
Maybe you’ve convinced yourself that this is the ‘safe’ approach to life. But let me tell you, no great achievement ever came from playing it safe.
Not taking risks can often be perceived as a lack of ambition or a fear of failure. And while it’s natural to fear failure, this fear should never hold you back from pursuing your dreams.
Remember, success is often found just outside your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to take that leap of faith – it might just lead you to the success you’ve been dreaming of.
2) You don’t set goals
Another big behavior that can keep you from achieving success is not setting goals.
There was a time when I thought it was enough to just ‘go with the flow’ and let life happen. I didn’t set goals; I just sort of existed.
And you know what? It got me nowhere. I felt stuck, aimless, and far from successful.
That’s when I realized the importance of goal-setting. Goals give you a sense of direction, a roadmap to where you want to go in life. They’re like your personal GPS, guiding you towards your desired destination.
If you don’t set goals, you’re essentially sailing through life without a compass. And trust me, that’s not a journey that tends to end in success.
So take it from me: set goals for yourself. It’s one of the most significant steps you can take towards achieving success.
3) You resist change
Sticking to old habits and resisting change is another behavior that could be obstructing your path to success.
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “The only constant in life is change”? And he couldn’t be more correct. Change is inevitable; it’s a part of life.
Yet, many people resist it. They cling to their old ways, refusing to adapt to new situations or learn new things. They think that by preserving the status quo, they’ll be able to keep things exactly as they are.
But the truth is, resisting change is like trying to swim against the tide – it’s exhausting and you don’t get very far.
On the other hand, those who embrace change, adapt, and learn from it are the ones who often find themselves on the path to success.
4) You don’t believe in yourself
Just like resistance to change, a lack of self-belief can get in the way of your success, too.
If you’re constantly doubting your abilities and second-guessing yourself, it’s going to be incredibly hard to achieve anything of substance.
You see, your mind is incredibly powerful; it can either be your ticket to success or the anchor holding you back. And if you tell yourself that you can’t do something, chances are, you won’t be able to do it.
Don’t sell yourself short. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Understand that you have the potential to achieve great things.
After all, if you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect others to believe in you? Foster self-belief, nurture it, and watch how it propels you towards success.
5) You don’t take responsibility
Another behavior that can seriously hinder your chances of success is a reluctance to take responsibility.
If you’re always blaming others for your failures or setbacks, you’re essentially relinquishing control of your life. You’re allowing others to dictate your path, rather than steering your own ship.
Taking responsibility means acknowledging that you are in charge of your life. Your successes, as well as your failures, are a result of your actions and decisions.
Shifting the blame onto others is easy, but it won’t get you very far. Owning up to your mistakes, learning from them, and pushing forward with determination — these are what will get you on the right track. You’ll be empowered to take control and steer your life in the direction you want it to go.
6) You procrastinate
When you consistently put off tasks and delay working on your goals, you’re not only wasting time but also missing opportunities.
Procrastination often stems from a fear of failure or a lack of motivation. But here’s the thing, the longer you put off a task, the harder it becomes to start.
Overcoming procrastination is not easy, but it’s necessary if you want to be successful. Break down your tasks into manageable chunks, create a schedule and stick to it.
Remember, time waits for no one. Don’t let procrastination steal your chance at success. Start today, no matter how small the step may seem.
7) You don’t value time
Speaking of time, how do you view and manage yours?
Time is the most valuable resource we have. Unlike money or possessions, once you’ve spent it, you can’t get it back.
If you’re constantly running late, missing deadlines, or wasting time on unproductive activities, it’s a sign that you don’t value your time – or other people’s time, for that matter.
Successful people understand the importance of time. They plan their day, set schedules, and prioritize tasks to make the most of every minute.
If you want to be successful, start treating time like the precious commodity it is. Otherwise, you could be in for the rude awakening that you’ve wasted so much of it, and now you can’t make up for it.
8) You don’t invest in yourself
Do you know what your most important asset is? It’s YOU. That’s why investing in yourself gives you the best returns you can have.
Investing in yourself can take many forms – from pursuing further education, attending seminars and workshops, reading books, learning new skills, to taking care of your physical and mental health.
If you’re not willing to put effort and resources into your own growth and development, you’re essentially putting a cap on your potential.
9) You’re afraid of failure
Being afraid of failure is another behavior that can seriously deter your path to success.
See, fear of failure can paralyze you. It can stop you from trying new things or taking risks, and essentially keep you stuck where you are.
But here’s a different perspective: failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s part of the journey to success. Every successful person has experienced failures along the way. What sets them apart is their ability to learn from these failures and use them as stepping stones towards success.
Don’t let fear of failure hold you back. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it propel you forward on your path to success. After all, the only real failure in life is not trying at all.
10) You don’t persist
Finally, the lack of persistence is a behavior that can sabotage your success.
Success rarely comes overnight. It’s a result of continuous effort, hard work, and persistence.
If you give up at the first sign of difficulty or after a few failures, you’ll never reach your goals.
Persistence means sticking with your goals even when the going gets tough. It means pushing through the obstacles and challenges that stand in your way.
So get comfortable with being uncomfortable. That way, you can stay on track despite the bumps and detours, and you’ll eventually reach their destination.
Final reflection
It’s easy to fall into behaviors that keep us from reaching our full potential. But the good thing is, with a little self-awareness, we can always start anew and see what needs to be changed.
So if you’ve found yourself exhibiting any of these behaviors, don’t be disheartened. Use this as a wake-up call. Take it as an opportunity to reflect, adjust your sails, and set a new course towards success.
Only those who are willing to confront their shortcomings and work on them have the real chance to taste success.
The road to success is not easy, but with determination, persistence, and above all, belief in yourself, you can overcome any obstacles that stand in your way.
