Are You Getting in the Way of Your Success?

April 24, 2017

Although we would like it to be, the road to success is never an easy one. Fear, anxiety, and procrastination are just a few of the personal stumbling blocks many of us face.

Sure, external factors get in the way too—finding capital to launch your business, or unexpected legal issues, for example—but more often than not, the hardest things to overcome are our own bad habits or flaws. When things don’t go our way, however, we usually blame the external circumstances—whether it’s the stagnant economy or the “system” as a whole.

What we should really do is look at ourselves. We are often the ones standing in our own way, and whether or not we can get over ourselves can mean the difference between success and failure.

The thing about external circumstances is that they’re often beyond our control. But you know what is in your control? Yourself. With the right tools and mindset, you can get out of your own way and get where you want to be.

The following habits are warning signs that suggest you might be getting in your own way. But don’t worry, you can do something about them!

Self-Destructive Habits Getting in the Way of Your Success

1. You Have Low Self-Confidence

You may not realize it (or maybe it’s painfully obvious to you), but deep down you’re probably not as confident as you appear to be. Do you have dreams of owning a business but have never done anything about it? Or maybe you’ve started but stopped a number of ventures when things got hard. Either way, self-doubt could have gotten in your way—fear that you may fail or a belief that you lack the skills necessary to succeed.

Look, no one can do everything. So, focus on the skills and resources you do have (no matter how insignificant they may seem) and learn all you can along the way. You’ll have zero chance of success if you don’t even try!

2. It’s Your Way or the Highway

Check your ego at the door. If you think that only you are right and your way is the only way, you’re setting yourself up to fail. Be humble and admit when you’ve made a mistake. If you don’t, you’ll be missing out on valuable learning opportunities. If that means taking potential investors’ constructive criticism on your product idea, thank them for their insight and go back to the drawing table.

Remember: When you know better, you can do better.

3. You’re Constantly Comparing

Although it’s great to have an ideal to strive towards, things can get a little sticky if you compare yourself to others all the time. Think about it: what happens when you compare yourself to someone else and the result isn’t what you hoped for? It doesn’t feel so good, does it? It’s easy to see ourselves as failures, but when we do, we stop trying—and that gets us nowhere.

It sounds cliché, but everyone’s journey is different. Stop trying to be someone else. Focus on your strengths instead—it’ll boost your self-confidence and have you feeling on top of the world!

4. You Listen to the Naysayers

It’s always a good idea to get advice. However, be careful of those who constantly give you reasons not to do something. There will always be naysayers, but if you continually take what they say personally, it will eat away at your self-belief. Stay strong, put in the work, and chase your dreams.

After all, the best revenge is success.

5. You’re Holding On to the Past

Either we reminisce about the “good old days,” or we blame our past for our current situation. The point is: the past is the past and we can’t change it. Are you going to problem solve to get out of your current situation, or are you going to stay stuck where you are?

Use your past (good or bad) as motivation to change and find happiness. You can change things for the better.

If You’re Getting in the Way of Your Success, Self-Confidence is Key

Success means different things to all of us, but if these bad habits sound familiar, chances are you’re your own worst enemy. The good news is that you can turn it around. There will always be external circumstances beyond your control, but that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed.

If you look at all the successful people around you, one thing they have in common is self-confidence. Even when they experienced difficulties, they kept going because they believed in themselves. Boost your self-confidence and success will no longer seem so far away!

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