If you want 2025 to be the year you become successful, say goodbye to these 6 behaviors

If there’s one thing I’ve learned as an entrepreneur and self-development enthusiast, it’s that success isn’t just about the actions we take—it’s also about the habits and behaviors we leave behind.

Success starts with clearing the path forward, and that means letting go of habits that don’t align with the life you’re building. Today, we’ll explore 6 such behaviors you need to drop if you want 2025 to be a turning point.

These shifts might just might be the missing piece to your success.

Let’s dive in.

1) Procrastination

First up, we need to talk about procrastination.

It’s a behavior most of us grapple with at some point, and it’s one of the biggest roadblocks to success.  Success isn’t just about working hard, it’s also about working smart. And procrastinating? It’s the opposite of smart.

As well as being a productivity killer, it’s also associated with a host of other issues like symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and reduced life satisfaction.

But contrary to what some believe, procrastination is not laziness. As noted by the folks at McLean Hospital, it’s often rooted in a lack of belief in our abilities, perfectionism, or distraction.

The trick to beating it is first figuring out what’s causing it. Is it self-doubt? Perfectionism? Distractions?

Once you identify the root cause, you can take steps to address it and start taking action with confidence and clarity.

2) Fear of failure

This is another big one for many people, and I’m no exception.

I still remember when I was first starting Hack Spirit. The fear of it not working out was always at the back of my mind and it held me back from taking the steps I needed to take.

But eventually, I realized that without taking risk, I would never know what could have been.

The fear of failure can be paralyzing. It can keep you from taking risks and stepping outside your comfort zone. And without taking those steps, success can be hard to come by.

As Einstein once said, “Failure is success in progress”. Make 2025 the year you start embracing risks instead of fearing them.

3) Living with a big ego

Next on the list is the behavior of living with a big ego.

Having a big ego can be a major roadblock to success. It can make you resistant to feedback, create conflicts, and prevent you from learning from your mistakes.

Halfway through my journey at Hack Spirit, I realized that the key to personal growth and success was learning to live with what I like to call maximum impact and minimum ego.

In fact, this realization was so impactful that I dedicated an entire book to this topic. In my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve into how embracing humility and letting go of ego can lead to personal growth and success.

I would love for you to give it a read but for now just know that if you’re aiming for success in 2025, it’s time to check your ego at the door.

4) Being a perfectionist

Here’s one that might surprise you.

You might think perfectionism would be a good trait for success. After all, doesn’t it mean you’re driven and detail-oriented?

Well, not quite.

In reality, perfectionism often leads to unnecessary stress and burnout. It can make you spend too much time on tasks that don’t require it, preventing you from focusing on the bigger picture.

Worse, it can lead to fear of making mistakes, which can stifle creativity and innovation.

Success is not about being perfect. It’s about progress and growth. Learn to accept that mistakes are part of the journey. They are opportunities for learning and improvement.

Psychologist Harriet Braiker summed it up well when she said, “Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.”

5) Not setting clear goals

One of my favorite quotes comes from the Stoic philosopher Seneca: “If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favorable.”

This couldn’t be more true when it comes to success. Without clear goals, you’re like a ship adrift at sea—moving but without direction. You might work hard, but without knowing what you’re working toward, it’s easy to feel lost, unmotivated, or frustrated by a lack of progress.

And it’s not just the wisdom of an ancient philosopher—modern research backs this up. As researchers have noted, “Over 1,000 studies have consistently shown that setting high and specific goals is linked to increased task performance, persistence, and motivation, compared to vague or easy goals”

Clear goals give you focus, direction, and a way to measure progress. As you plan for 2025, take the time to define your destination—you’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to get there.

6) Ignoring self-care

The last behavior on our list is ignoring self-care.

In the hustle and bustle of chasing success, it’s easy to forget about taking care of ourselves. We push ourselves to the limit, often neglecting our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

But remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Ignoring self-care will eventually lead to burnout, which can derail your journey to success.

This is widely acknowledged by experts. For instance, those at Psych Central note that a lack of self-care is associated with burnout, reduced performance at work, and low energy. Not exactly the recipe for success, right?

So, as you gear up for 2025, make self-care a priority. This could be anything from regular exercise and balanced eating to setting aside time for relaxation and hobbies.

The final takeaway

Success in 2025 starts with you.

Letting go of these behaviors can create the space and momentum you need to thrive. It’s not always easy—change rarely is—but the rewards are more than worth it.

By breaking free from procrastination, perfectionism, fear of failure, and the other habits that hold you back, you’re setting yourself up for clarity, growth, and real progress.

But remember, success isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making consistent progress, learning from your mistakes, and aligning your actions with the goals you truly care about.

Here’s to making 2025 your most successful year yet. Let’s make it happen.