By 
Ever pondered how to attract more success and positivity into your life?
I sure have.
Although I don’t have all the answers, through research, experiences, and advice from wise souls, I’ve identified a set of habits that were pulling me down.
Bidding them farewell has utterly changed my approach to life, inviting more positivity, success, and contentment than ever before.
Curious? They might just flip your life around too.
Let’s get started.
1) Overlooking the power of self-care
Let’s kick things off with a big one.
Like many men, I used to think of “self-care” as some kind of new-age nonsense. I’d picture bubble baths and candles and convince myself that I could just power through anything life threw at me.
But here’s the thing: that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Eventually, we all run out of steam, and neglecting self-care is a fast track to burnout. This isn’t just anecdotal—it’s widely acknowledged by experts. For instance, the folks at Psych Central note that a lack of self-care is linked to burnout, feelings of hopelessness, worsening symptoms of depression, and even physical issues like headaches and fatigue.
When I finally started prioritizing self-care, I can’t even describe how much better I felt. Don’t get me wrong—I didn’t start running bubble baths or getting manicures (although if that’s what makes you feel better, do it).
Instead, I made more time for things that genuinely recharged me, like hitting the gym, spending time outdoors, and carving out moments to relax and disconnect.
The result? My energy improved, my stress levels dropped, and I felt more focused and capable in every area of my life.
Trust me, self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Find the things that help you recharge, whether that’s exercise, reading, journaling, or just sitting quietly with a cup of coffee.
Success and positivity are much easier to attract when you’re operating at your best
2) Procrastination
The second habit that I’ve had to bid goodbye to is procrastination.
It’s incredibly easy to put things off, especially tasks that seem daunting or tedious. However, I’ve found that this approach only leads to stress. As noted by experts, studies also suggest it’s associated with symptoms of depression and reduced life satisfaction. Yikes, right?
I used to tell myself that I work better under pressure, using this as an excuse to delay starting on tasks. But the truth was, this was a coping mechanism—a way for me to avoid confronting the work at hand.
For me, overcoming procrastination wasn’t simply about forcing myself to work. It was about understanding why I was avoiding certain tasks and finding ways to make them more manageable.
With a little introspection and research, I realized the root of this habit for me was fearing failure.
For you, it might be something else. As noted by the folks at McLean Hospital, perfectionism, lack of belief in your abilities, or distraction might also be the culprit. Whatever it is, identify it.
Since breaking free from the clutches of procrastination, I’ve noticed a significant increase in my productivity and a boost in my overall positivity. You might, too.
3) Living in the past or future
One habit that held me back from truly inviting success and positivity into my life was dwelling too much on the past or being overly anxious about the future.
It’s natural to reflect on past experiences or plan for what lies ahead. However, I found myself excessively ruminating on past mistakes and worrying about future uncertainties.
Living anywhere but the present meant I was constantly missing out on the here and now—the only moment where we truly have control.
I learned this vital lesson after reading The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. His teachings, along with the principles of mindfulness, made me realize how much energy I was wasting.
For me, saying goodbye to this habit wasn’t just about ignoring the past or future. It was about learning from my past, planning for my future, but most importantly, living in my present.
By consciously pulling myself back to the present moment, I’ve experienced a significant increase in my productivity and positivity. It’s allowed me to fully engage with my current tasks and situations, thereby improving their outcomes.
It’s not an easy habit to break, but it’s certainly been a game-changer for me.
4) Being a perfectionist
Have you ever found yourself paralyzed by the fear of not doing something perfectly?
I have. My pursuit of perfection was another habit I had to let go of to invite more positivity and success into my life.
Striving for excellence is commendable, but when it turns into perfectionism, it can become a roadblock. I would often find myself procrastinating or feeling overwhelmed because I was afraid my work wouldn’t be ‘perfect.’
For me, saying goodbye to perfectionism wasn’t about lowering my standards. It was about understanding that growth comes from mistakes and that imperfections are not failures but opportunities to learn. As put by Einstein, “Failure is success in progress.”
5) Comparing ourselves to others
Last but not least, let’s talk about comparison.
You’ve probably heard this one before, but it’s worth repeating. As Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” and in my experience, he couldn’t be more right.
A little background—my journey has been anything but conventional. Like many of my friends, I followed the typical path at first: school, university, and a “professional job” in a company. But it wasn’t for me.
A few years later, I took a big turn. I packed up, moved abroad, and did a few things—online businesses, education—before eventually settling into writing.
Now, that might sound adventurous, even romantic, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t struggle with comparisons. While I was figuring things out, many of my friends were climbing the corporate ladder, buying homes, and starting families. I couldn’t help but feel like I was falling behind.
Sound familiar?
Well here’s the truth: those comparisons did me absolutely no good. They didn’t change my circumstances; they only made me feel worse. It wasn’t until I took a step back and reflected that I realized this: we’re all on different paths. My timeline is my own, and so is yours.
As Jordan Peterson wisely advises in his book 12 Rules for Life, “Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.”
Your only real competition is yourself. Focus on your growth, your progress, and your journey. Let go of the comparisons, and you’ll not only feel lighter but also free to appreciate your unique path to success and positivity.
The bottom line
Breaking free from these habits wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.
The best part is you can do it, too.
Change doesn’t happen overnight, but with small, consistent efforts, you’ll start to see the difference.
Here’s to leaving behind what no longer serves you and welcoming the abundance you deserve. You’ve got this!