Have you ever noticed how some people seem to soar toward success effortlessly, while others struggle to gain momentum? What’s their secret?
Well, in my own journey, I’ve realized that while there isn’t a single path to success, there are certain behaviors that those who reach the top simply don’t exhibit.
Some of these behaviors may seem harmless, even normal, but they’re subtle barriers that can hold you back from real progress.
Today, we’ll go through seven such behaviors.
Letting these go has been transformational for me. It may be for you, too.
Ready to take the next step?
1) Procrastination
You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating: procrastination is the thief of time.
In the quest for ultra success, time is a precious commodity that you can’t afford to waste.
The most successful people don’t wait for motivation to strike.
They create it. They understand that action fuels motivation, not the other way around.
Do you catch yourself putting things off often? Take a step back and figure out why.
Once you’ve identified the root cause, you can start working on strategies to overcome it.
2) Fear of taking risks
Do you often find yourself avoiding decisions that feel risky?
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It’s understandable—fear of failure or the unknown can be paralyzing.
But here’s the truth: ultra-successful people didn’t get where they are by playing it safe.
They took calculated risks, often ones that made them uncomfortable.
Think about Jeff Bezos leaving a job on Wall Street to start an online bookseller (which would become Amazon), or Steve Jobs pushing the boundaries of tech innovation from day one.
For people like them, the risk wasn’t a threat but a catalyst for growth.
The key isn’t to ignore fear but to manage it.
Ultra-successful people assess potential risks, make informed decisions – as put by Warren Buffett, “Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing.
Then, they act decisively, knowing that risk and reward go hand in hand.
3) Overlooking the value of learning
This is such a huge one.
Did you know that Bill Gates still reads 50 books a year?
For him, and so many others who have reached the top, consistent learning is key.
And there seems to be good reason for this. Dr. Randall Bell, a socioeconomist who has studied success for over two decades, found that “Those who read seven or more books per year are more than 122 percent more likely to be millionaires as opposed to those who never read or only read one to three [books].”
The folks at the World Economic Forum also have something to say about this.
They ranked “Lifelong learning and curiosity” as the fifth most important skill for workers in their Future Of Jobs Report 2023.
Of course, it’s not just about books. Learning can come from conversations with mentors, taking courses, exploring new skills, or even absorbing lessons from failure.
The point is the most successful people prioritize learning because they know it keeps them sharp and adaptable in an ever-changing world.
4) Living with a bloated ego
If you are a regular reader here, you will know that I am huge Buddhism and mindfulness enthusiast.
And this comes into play here, too.
In the realm of Buddhism, the ego is viewed as a major obstacle to true understanding and happiness.
It’s the part of us that insists on being right, that needs constant validation, and that separates us from others.
In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve deeply into how our ego can stand in the way of our success.
But for now, just know that successful people understand the importance of humility.
They appreciate the contributions of others and understand that they don’t have all the answers.
They are open to new ideas and are willing to learn from others.
5) Being a slave to perfection
There was a time when I believed everything had to be perfect.
Every report, every presentation, every meeting. Everything had to be just right.
But in my pursuit of perfection, I was setting myself up for constant disappointment.
I was putting immense pressure on myself, and it was taking a toll on my mental and physical health.
I didn’t know it at the time but this is actually well backed up by experts.
Researchers have noted that perfectionism is associated with anxiety and even depression.
Anyway, the turning point came when I realized that perfection is an illusion. It doesn’t exist.
What does exist is progress. And that’s what successful people focus on.
It’s okay to strive for excellence but don’t let the pursuit of perfection hold you back.
Understand that mistakes and failures are part of the journey.
They are opportunities to learn, grow and improve.
6) Being overly optimistic
Yes, you read that right.
While maintaining a positive mindset is crucial, being overly optimistic can sometimes lead you astray.
Over-optimism can create unrealistic expectations and set you up for disappointment.
It can make you overlook potential risks and blind you to reality.
Ultra successful people strike a balance.
They maintain an optimistic outlook while staying grounded in reality.
They set high but achievable goals. They prepare for the best, but also plan for the worst.
7) Ignoring self-care
Last but not least, our physical and mental well-being are the foundations of our success.
Ignore them, and everything else crumbles.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that working longer hours and sacrificing sleep will bring you closer to your goals.
However, as noted by experts, neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and a host of health problems.
Highly successful people understand the importance of taking care of themselves.
They prioritize sleep, eat healthy, exercise regularly, and take time to relax and recharge.
This is backed up by Dr. Bell’s research, too. He discovered that “those who exercised, even for 15 minutes a day, dominated statistically in every single measure of success.”
Ignoring self-care isn’t a badge of honor.
It’s a recipe for disaster.
If you want to be ultra successful, you have to start prioritizing your well-being.
Final thoughts: It’s in your hands
In the end, ultra success isn’t about luck; it’s about leaving behind what holds you back and embracing what moves you forward.
Each behavior you choose to let go of is a step closer to becoming the person you’re meant to be.
Start today—make those changes, stay persistent, and remember: success is a journey built on the right mindset and habits.
Your future self will thank you.
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