8 low-quality behaviors you need to outgrow if you be successful in life

If someone throws a tantrum, they’re immature. If someone blames others for their mistakes, they lack responsibility.

Such are the early lessons in the schooling of life.

Yet, achieving success in life isn’t just about learning to read others—it’s also about self-improvement. It’s about outgrowing certain low-quality behaviors that hold us back.

I’ve identified eight of these behaviors that you need to shed if you want to thrive in life. They might seem harmless at first, but trust me, they’re not.

They are subtle, sneaky little habits that can creep up on you and hinder your path to success.

Remember, parenting or not, we’re all lifelong students in this classroom called life. So let’s dive in and learn together.

1) Blaming others for your mistakes

Let’s face it, nobody’s perfect. We all make mistakes—it’s a part of being human.

However, the way we handle these slip-ups can speak volumes about our character.

Do you point fingers at others when things go wrong? Do you find a scapegoat to take the blame in order to absolve yourself? If yes, then it’s time for some introspection.

Blaming others for your mistakes is a low-quality behavior that can severely hamper your journey towards success. It’s an easy way out, sure, but it’s not the right way.

Successful people take ownership of their actions and learn from their mistakes. It’s a sign of maturity and shows that you’re capable of growth and improvement.

So next time you mess up, instead of looking for someone else to blame, look inwards. Accept your mistake, learn from it, and strive to do better next time.

Remember, failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s a stepping stone towards it.

2) Procrastination

Ah, procrastination—the bane of my existence.

I remember a time when I had to prepare a presentation for a crucial meeting at work.

I had a full week to get it done, but I kept saying to myself, “There’s still plenty of time.” I spent my days doing everything but working on that presentation.

Before I knew it, it was the night before the meeting and the slide deck was empty. I ended up staying up all night, rushing through the slides, and needless to say, it was far from my best work.

Procrastination is a sneaky beast. It gives you the illusion of time while slowly eating away at your productivity. It’s a low-quality behavior that can seriously hamper your success in life.

The key to overcoming procrastination is to change your mindset. Don’t wait for the “right time” to start a task—start now. Prioritize your tasks, break them down into manageable parts, and tackle them one at a time.

Remember, the road to success is paved with action, not intentions. Don’t let procrastination divert you from your path.

3) Negativity

Did you know that our brains are wired to pay more attention to negative events than positive ones? It’s a survival mechanism that dates back to our prehistoric ancestors, who had to be constantly on the lookout for threats.

But in our modern lives, this negativity bias can do more harm than good. If you’re always focusing on the negative aspects of every situation, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Negativity breeds self-doubt, hampers creativity, and can even affect your health.

Overcoming negativity is not about denying the existence of problems. It’s about shifting your perspective to see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles.

Next time you find yourself spiraling into a vortex of negativity, stop and take a deep breath. Remind yourself of your accomplishments, however small they may seem.

Practice gratitude, cultivate positivity, and watch as your path to success becomes clearer.

4) Fear of failure

Failure. The word alone is enough to send shivers down the spine of many. But why do we fear failure so much?

Perhaps it’s because society often views failure as a sign of weakness or incompetence. We’re taught from a young age to strive for success and avoid failure at all costs.

But here’s the thing – failure is not the end of the world. In fact, it’s an integral part of the path to success. It’s through our failures that we learn, grow, and become better.

If you let the fear of failure hold you back, you’ll never take the risks necessary to achieve great things. You’ll stay in your comfort zone, always wondering “what if?”

So don’t be afraid to fail. Embrace it, learn from it, and use it as a stepping stone towards your success. As the saying goes, “The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.”

5) Being too comfortable

I’ll admit it—I love my comfort zone. It’s cozy, familiar, and safe. But I’ve also learned that nothing grows there.

I remember when I was offered a promotion at work. It was a great opportunity, but it also meant taking on more responsibilities and stepping into unknown territory. I was terrified and my initial instinct was to turn it down.

But then I realized, if I always stayed within my comfort zone, I would never grow or achieve my full potential. So, I took the plunge. It was scary and challenging, but it was also one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Being too comfortable is a low-quality behavior that can hinder your success. It keeps you stagnant, prevents you from taking risks, and limits your growth.

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Yes, it will be uncomfortable and even scary at times, but that’s where the magic happens. That’s where you’ll find growth, learning, and success.

6) Pursuit of perfection

You might think that striving for perfection is a trait of successful people. After all, doesn’t success mean getting everything exactly right?

Well, not quite.

The truth is, perfection is an illusion. It’s an unattainable standard that can leave you feeling perpetually unsatisfied and inadequate.

Instead of focusing on achieving perfect results, successful people focus on progress and improvement.

It’s not about getting everything right—it’s about learning and growing from your mistakes. It’s about embracing your flaws and turning them into strengths.

Instead of chasing perfection, chase excellence. Strive to be the best version of yourself, not a flawless ideal that doesn’t exist. Remember, it’s your uniqueness and individuality that make you truly successful.

7) Overworking

In a society that glorifies busyness, it’s easy to fall into the trap of overworking. We often equate success with long hours and sleepless nights, thinking that the harder we work, the more successful we’ll be.

But here’s what many fail to realize: there’s a difference between hard work and overwork.

Hard work is necessary for success, but overworking leads to burnout. It decreases productivity, hampers creativity, and can have serious repercussions on your health and personal life.

Successful people understand the importance of balance. They know that rest and relaxation are not only necessary for their well-being but also essential for maintaining high performance levels.

Remember, it’s not about working non-stop—it’s about working smart. Prioritize your tasks, take regular breaks, and make time for self-care.

Success isn’t a race—it’s a marathon, and you need to pace yourself to reach the finish line.

8) Ignoring self-care

If you take away one thing from this article, let it be this: self-care is not an indulgence—it’s a necessity.

In our pursuit of success, it’s easy to neglect our own needs. We put everything else first—our work, our responsibilities, even other people’s expectations—and forget that we can’t pour from an empty cup.

Ignoring self-care is a low-quality behavior that can severely impede your success. It leads to burnout, decreases productivity, and can even affect your physical health.

So make time for yourself. Exercise regularly, eat healthily, get enough sleep. Do things that make you happy. Remember, you are your most important asset on the journey to success. Take care of it.

Final thoughts

As we journey through the winding road of life, it’s important to remember that success isn’t just about reaching the destination—it’s also about growing and evolving along the way.

Shedding these eight low-quality behaviors is a part of that journey. It’s about recognizing the hurdles that are holding you back and taking conscious steps to overcome them.

As the philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Each step you take towards outgrowing these behaviors is a step closer to your success.

Reflect on these points. Do they resonate with you? Are there behaviors you need to outgrow? Remember, self-improvement is a lifelong journey. There’s always room for growth, for change, for betterment.

In the grand scheme of things, success isn’t just about what you achieve—it’s also about who you become in the process.