If you seriously want to level up in life, say goodbye to these 8 daily habits

You’re stuck in a rut, plugging away at the same old routines, day in and day out.

You’ve tried to change things up, you’ve given your best shot at shaking off old habits but it just isn’t clicking into place.

You just get this nagging sense that it’s time to ditch these daily rituals, even when your comfort zone, your routine or your fear of change screams otherwise.

Here’s how to recognize for certain that you need to kick these 8 daily habits to the curb if you’re serious about leveling up in life, even if it’s going to push you out of your comfort zone.

1. Procrastination

This is a big one.

It’s something we’re all guilty of, putting off tasks or decisions because they seem too daunting or because we simply don’t feel like tackling them right now.

But here’s the kicker: procrastination is a success killer. It’s a habit that keeps you stuck in a rut, spinning your wheels but never really making any progress.

If you’re serious about leveling up in life, then it’s time to bid adieu to this insidious habit.

The thing is, every moment you waste is a moment you won’t get back. And while it might feel easier to just put things off until later, the truth is that later often turns into never.

So if you find yourself constantly delaying important tasks or decisions, ask yourself why. Are you afraid of failure? Of success? Of change? Once you understand the root cause, you can start working towards overcoming this habit and moving forward in life.

2. Neglecting self-care

Oh boy, have I learned this one the hard way.

There was a time when I was so focused on my goals and ambitions that I completely neglected to take care of myself. I was pulling all-nighters, skipping meals, and pushing myself to the brink of exhaustion.

I told myself it was all for the sake of leveling up, but in reality, I was doing more harm than good. My health started to deteriorate, my productivity plummeted, and before long I was burnt out.

That’s when I realized: self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

If you’re constantly running on empty, you’re not going to get very far. It’s like trying to drive a car with no gas: you might be able to coast for a while, but eventually you’re going to come to a stop.

So now I make it a point to prioritize self-care. I ensure that I eat well, get enough sleep, and take time out for relaxation and recreation. It’s not always easy – sometimes it feels like there are just not enough hours in the day – but I’ve learned that taking care of myself is an investment in my future success.

3. Saying yes to everything

There’s a quote by Warren Buffett that I’ve always found incredibly insightful. He said, “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”

This might seem counterintuitive at first, but hear me out.

When we say yes to everything, we spread ourselves thin. We end up juggling so many responsibilities that we barely have time for the things that truly matter to us. We lose focus and direction, and our productivity suffers as a result.

I’ve been there. I was the ‘yes’ person who took on every task and opportunity that came my way. I thought it was the path to success. But all it did was leave me exhausted, overwhelmed, and unfulfilled.

Then I came across Buffett’s quote and it struck a chord. I realized that by saying yes to everything, I was in fact saying no to the things that were truly important to me.

From that moment on, I’ve been more selective about the commitments I take on. It hasn’t been easy – saying no is often harder than saying yes – but it’s been worth it.

Leveling up in life isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things – the things that align with your goals and values. And for that, you need to learn to say no.

4. Mindless scrolling

Did you know the average person spends over two hours a day on social media? That’s a whole 30 days a year – a full month – spent scrolling through photos, videos, and updates.

Here’s the thing about mindless scrolling: it’s easy. It doesn’t require any effort or engagement. It’s a way to pass the time, to zone out, to escape from reality for a while.

But what if we used that time more effectively? What if we replaced even half of that scrolling time with something more productive: reading a book, learning a new skill, exercising, or even just spending quality time with loved ones?

When I started to cut down on my screen time, I was amazed at how much more time I had. Time that I could devote to my goals and passions, to leveling up in life.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you should quit social media altogether. But consider how much time you’re spending on it and whether that’s time well spent.

5. Living in the past

Here’s something I’ve come to realize: you can’t level up in life if you’re constantly looking in the rearview mirror.

Sure, it’s important to remember where we’ve come from, to learn from our mistakes, and to honor our past. But when we dwell on what was or what could have been, we miss out on what is and what could be.

Living in the past keeps us stuck. It robs us of the opportunity to grow, to evolve, and to move forward. It keeps us from taking risks, from trying new things, from pushing our limits.

I used to be one of those people who lived in the past. I was so focused on my past failures and regrets that I couldn’t see the opportunities right in front of me.

But once I started focusing on the present – on being here and now – everything changed. I became more open to new experiences, more willing to take risks, more determined to make the most of each moment.

It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. Because leveling up in life isn’t just about reaching new heights. It’s also about letting go of what’s holding us back – and living in the past is definitely one of those things.

6. Negative self-talk

We’ve all been there. That little voice in our head that tells us we’re not good enough, that we can’t do it, that we’re bound to fail.

Negative self-talk is a habit that many of us have, often without even realizing it. But it’s a habit that can have a huge impact on our lives and our ability to level up.

I used to be my own worst critic. I’d beat myself up over every little mistake, every failure, every setback. I told myself I wasn’t smart enough, talented enough, or strong enough to achieve my goals.

But the truth is, we are what we think. And if we constantly tell ourselves that we can’t do something, then we probably won’t be able to do it.

So I made a decision to change my inner dialogue. Instead of berating myself, I started encouraging myself. Instead of focusing on my weaknesses, I started focusing on my strengths.

And the results were incredible. My confidence soared, my motivation increased, and I was able to accomplish things I never thought possible.

7. Avoiding discomfort

Comfort zones. They’re cozy, familiar, safe. But here’s the thing about comfort zones: they can also be incredibly limiting.

I used to be a master at avoiding discomfort. If something seemed too hard, too scary, or too risky, I’d steer clear of it.

But then I realized something. All the growth I’ve ever experienced, all the progress I’ve ever made, it’s all happened outside my comfort zone.

So I started to embrace discomfort. I started to see it not as something to be avoided, but as something to be sought out. Because discomfort means growth. It means learning. It means leveling up.

It wasn’t easy. In fact, it was downright terrifying at times. But it was also incredibly rewarding.

8. Not setting goals

This is it, the big one. The habit that can make or break your efforts to level up in life: not setting goals.

Think about it. How can you level up if you don’t know where you’re going? It’s like trying to reach a destination without a map or a compass. You might wander around aimlessly for a while, but chances are you won’t get very far.

I used to be one of those people who just went with the flow. I didn’t have any clear goals or ambitions. I just hoped that things would somehow work out.

But then I realized something: hope is not a strategy. If I wanted to level up in life, I needed to set clear, specific, achievable goals.

So I started setting goals – big goals, small goals, short-term goals, long-term goals. And then I started working towards them, one step at a time.

And guess what? Things started to change. I started to make progress. I started to level up.

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Emily Rhodes

Emily Rhodes is a writer and researcher exploring how mindset, behavior, and technology influence entrepreneurship. She enjoys breaking down complex psychological concepts into practical advice that entrepreneurs can actually use. Her work focuses on helping business owners think more clearly, adapt to challenges, and build resilience in an ever-changing world. When she’s not writing, she’s reading about behavioral economics, enjoying Texas barbecue, or taking long walks in nature.

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