I used to think building good habits was all about sheer willpower. If I just wanted it enough, I could make anything stick.
Spoiler alert: that approach failed me. A lot.
No matter how many times I promised myself I’d start hitting the gym, eating healthier, or sticking to a productive morning routine, I’d fall back into old patterns within weeks—sometimes days. Sound familiar?
Well here’s the thing: the problem wasn’t my desire for change. It was the subtle, almost invisible behaviors sabotaging my efforts. Behaviors I wasn’t even aware of at the time.
Today, I’ll share five of these sneaky habits that might be holding you back, too. If you’re ready to make meaningful changes in your life, it’s time to recognize them and let them go.
Let’s dive in.
1) Being a slave to perfectionism
One of the most damaging behaviors I’ve had to work on is the trap of perfectionism.
On the surface, it seems like a positive trait. However, dig a little deeper and you’ll find that it’s often a roadblock to forming good habits.
Perfectionism can hinder progress, as we may find ourselves waiting for the ‘perfect’ time, conditions, or resources to start. I learned this the hard way when my endless pursuit of perfection led to procrastination and paralysis.
Bidding farewell to perfectionism was no easy task, but doing so has allowed me to focus on building sustainable habits that contribute to both my personal and professional growth.
It may seem counterintuitive, but trust me, letting go of perfection can catapult you towards your goals faster than you’d imagine.
2) Trying to build too many habits at once
This is a huge one. You know that feeling when the New Year rolls around, and you’re bursting with motivation?
You jot down three or four resolutions—hitting the gym, eating clean, waking up early, starting a side hustle—and dive in headfirst.
But then… by mid-January (if not sooner), most of those goals are out the window. Sound familiar?
Taking on too many changes at once divides our focus and energy. Instead of excelling in one or two areas, we spread ourselves too thin and end up making little progress in any of them.
I’ve been there—more times than I’d like to admit. What finally worked for me was scaling back and tackling one habit at a time.
Instead of trying to overhaul my entire life, I focused on building a single routine—like exercising three times a week—until it became second nature.
By mastering one habit before adding another, I not only made real progress but also avoided burnout.
If you’re serious about making habits stick, try this approach. Trust me, less really is more.
3) Neglecting self-care
For years, I believed I could power through anything. Late-night work sessions? No problem.
Hitting the gym at 6:30 a.m. after just a few hours of sleep? Totally doable—or so I thought.
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
Burning the candle at both ends left me exhausted, unmotivated, and far less productive than I imagined I’d be.
Sure, I could sustain it for a few days, but the lack of rest eventually caught up with me. Skipped workouts, poor focus, and a shorter temper were just the beginning.
Here’s the hard truth: good habits thrive on balance, and that balance starts with self-care. You can’t expect to build lasting routines when you’re running on fumes. Prioritizing rest, nutrition, and mental well-being isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Once I let go of the “grind” mentality and started prioritizing proper sleep and self-care, everything shifted. I became more consistent with my workouts, my focus improved, and I felt more in control of my day.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your goals is to give yourself permission to rest.
4) Ignoring the power of your environment
If there’s one lesson I’ve learned the hard way, it’s this: your environment can make or break your habits.
As James Clear, bestselling author of Atomic Habits, wisely wrote, “Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior.”
I used to underestimate this.
I’d set ambitious goals—like cooking healthier meals—but my kitchen was always a cluttered mess, and my pantry stocked with chips and cookies.
Or I’d commit to reading more, only to find myself scrolling on my phone in a living room dominated by a giant TV.
It wasn’t until I started tweaking my environment that things began to change.
I cleared out the junk food and replaced it with healthy snacks.
I kept my books in plain sight and put my phone in another room while reading. These small adjustments made it easier to follow through on the habits I wanted to build.
The truth is, willpower isn’t enough. If your surroundings constantly tempt or distract you, even the best intentions can crumble. On the flip side, designing an environment that supports your goals can make good habits almost effortless.
Take a look around. Are your surroundings working for you—or against you? The answer might surprise you.
5) Focusing on outputs
For the longest time, I thought setting specific goals—like losing 10 pounds—was the key to success. After all, isn’t that what we’re told? Be specific, set measurable targets, and go after them.
But here’s what I’ve found: focusing too much on outputs can lead to frustration, especially when progress feels slow or when factors outside our control get in the way.
For example, I’d focus so hard on the number on the scale that I’d feel defeated when it didn’t budge after a week or two, despite my efforts. This fixation on the outcome distracted me from what really mattered—my daily actions.
The solution? Shift the focus to input goals instead. These are the actions you can control, like working out three times a week, meal prepping on Sundays, or drinking more water every day.
When I started prioritizing input goals, everything changed. I wasn’t obsessing over results I couldn’t directly control; I was celebrating the small wins I could. And you know what? The results eventually followed—almost as a byproduct of showing up consistently.
If you’re stuck chasing an elusive outcome, try reframing your approach. Focus on the process, not just the result.
The bottom line
In a nutshell, forming good habits isn’t just about what you start doing; it’s also about what you stop doing.
Say goodbye to these behaviors and watch your good habits stick like never before!
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