Do you really think you’ll be successful if you simply copy other people’s habits? If that was the case, success was easy.
“A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do.”
– Bob Dylan
You’ve probably read articles that discuss the habits of successful people. The problem with those types of articles is that they give you conditional promises.
“Eat three eggs with bacon, wash your hair with soybeans, do ten push-ups, and do your daily affirmations, AT THE SAME TIME.”
We have to let go of the “if I do x, I’ll be successful or happy” way of thinking.
What follows is a list of things that we shouldn’t do. If you have one of these bad habits, don’t worry, no one’s perfect. If you have two bad habits, you should worry.
Do you have three or more? You might want to change — because one thing is sure: No one wants to be unsuccessful.
1. They Are Always Distracted
Don’t live your life in the future or past, lost in thoughts and worry.
2. They Only Talk The Talk
You know what’s better than talking about something? Doing it. Be someone that does things, not someone who talks about things.
3. They Spend Time With Losers
Spend enough time with losers, and you’ll become one. Apply this analogy to any type of person. Do you want to get fit? Hang out with fit people. People feed off each other’s energy. What’s better, your friend asking when you’re going to the gym, or your friend asking to go out for the third time that week?
4. They Hate Everything
They especially hate people that are doing well. Why can’t you be happy for other people? Give people some love, it won’t kill you. They even hate things that just ‘are’.
Having a bad day is ok—everyone get’s irritable once in a while. But if you always hate everything, you’ll have a bad life.
5. They Procrastinate
What’s the benefit of putting things off? Only delay things when you’ll do a better job later.
What’s the point of delaying something if you get the same outcome? Do it now, or do it better later.
6. They Don’t Listen To Others
Unsuccessful people only love themselves. To be honest, we all love ourselves, but if you’re unsuccessful, you ONLY love yourself.
We listen to others because we care about them. How else can you show you care? Everyone can give a hug, but not everybody calls you just to ask “How are you?” Ask, listen, care, repeat.
7. They Are Lazy
Never feel like doing anything? We’ve all be there: Not feeling like going to dinner with your partner, or not feeling like buying an awesome present for your mother’s birthday. Let’s face it, it’s all because we’re lazy.
Be a sport and get off your couch — participate with your family, friends, partner. The beauty of life lies in new and novel experiences.
When you’re lazy, you don’t even give yourself a chance to experience new things. It’s also not fair to the people in your life.
8. They Don’t Learn
Learning is one of the most difficult things in the world. It’s not a surprise that many people never read a book, never finish school, or never learn from their mistakes. Learning is a struggle. But think about it: We live in the most exciting time in history for learners. The access to information has never been this easy. In the past, if your dad was a farmer, you became a farmer. Things were like that.
Now, you can be anything you wish — you just need to learn how to do it.
9. They Are Not Nice
Somehow, people think it’s cool to be a jerk. Honestly, it’s way cooler to be nice. You don’t have to be a Buddhist Monk or anything, just be a nice person. Try it some time, you might make a few new friends. And if you have difficulty defining what a ‘nice person’ is, you’re likely a jerk.
10. They Are Quitters
I saved the worst for last. If there’s one thing you take away from this article, I hope it’s this:
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” — Thomas A. Edison
There’s nothing I can add to that. Actually, there is: Never Give Up.
Adapted version of the article which originally appeared on www.medium.com
