If you want to level up your career, say goodbye to these 7 little habits

There’s a fine line between habits that help us grow and those that quietly hold us back.

Sometimes, the smallest routines—things we barely notice—can be the very things limiting our success.

If you want to take your career to the next level, it’s not just about what you start doing. It’s also about what you stop doing.

Here are seven little habits to leave behind if you’re serious about leveling up.

1) Waiting for the “perfect” moment

One of the biggest traps in career growth is waiting for the perfect moment to take action.

The truth is, perfect timing is a myth. There will always be uncertainties, risks, and things you wish you knew before making a move.

Highly successful people don’t wait until they feel 100% ready. They take action, learn from the process, and adjust along the way.

If you keep telling yourself you’ll apply for that promotion, launch that business, or start that new project “when the time is right,” you might be waiting forever.

Progress comes from movement. The sooner you take the first step, the sooner you’ll figure out what works—and what doesn’t—so you can keep improving.

2) Saying yes to everything

Early in my career, I thought saying “yes” to every opportunity was the key to success. I wanted to be helpful, to prove myself, to seize every chance that came my way.

But over time, I realized something important—saying “yes” to everything meant saying “no” to my own priorities.

When you take on too much, you spread yourself thin. Your energy gets drained, your focus gets scattered, and suddenly, the work that actually matters suffers.

The most successful people aren’t the ones who do the most things—they’re the ones who do the right things. They know their value, set clear boundaries, and say “no” when something doesn’t align with their bigger vision.

3) Chasing happiness instead of meaning

For a long time, I believed that the goal of life—and by extension, my career—was to be happy. But the more I chased happiness, the more it seemed to slip through my fingers.

The truth is, happiness is fleeting. It comes and goes, often in ways we can’t control. What truly drives long-term fulfillment isn’t the pursuit of happiness itself, but the pursuit of meaning.

When you focus on meaningful work—solving real problems, creating something valuable, making an impact—you naturally experience deeper satisfaction. Even when things get tough, you’re anchored by a sense of purpose that keeps you moving forward.

If you find yourself constantly searching for the “perfect job” that will finally make you happy, it may be time to shift your approach. Instead of asking, “Will this make me happy?”, ask “Is this meaningful?”

I dive deeper into this idea in my video on why chasing happiness can actually make you miserable:

4) Blaming external circumstances

It’s easy to point fingers—at the economy, at bad bosses, at unfair systems. And yes, sometimes the odds really are stacked against you.

But here’s the raw truth: blaming external circumstances won’t change your situation. It only keeps you stuck.

The moment you take full responsibility for your career—your choices, your mindset, your actions—is the moment things start to shift. You may not control everything, but you do control how you respond, how you adapt, and what you build next.

Successful people don’t waste time dwelling on what’s unfair. They focus on what they can do, even when the options seem limited. Because every challenge contains an opportunity—if you’re willing to see it.

5) Seeking validation instead of doing the work

Too many people waste time trying to prove themselves instead of actually improving themselves. They chase likes, approval, and external recognition—because deep down, they’re afraid that without validation, their work doesn’t matter.

But the truth is, no amount of applause will ever replace the real sense of fulfillment that comes from mastery, from creating something meaningful, from pushing yourself beyond your limits.

If you constantly need others to tell you you’re on the right path, you’ll always be at their mercy. Real success comes when you stop worrying about how you look and start focusing on what you build.

I dive into this idea in my video about breaking free from the need to be liked and redefining success on your own terms:

6) Avoiding discomfort

Most people assume that if something feels uncomfortable, it’s a sign to back away. But the reality is, discomfort is often a signal that you’re growing.

If you always stay in familiar territory—doing what feels safe, what you already know—you’ll never develop the skills, confidence, or resilience needed to reach the next level.

The best opportunities often come disguised as challenges. The moments that stretch you, that make you question yourself, that push you beyond your comfort zone—those are the moments that shape who you become.

Instead of running from discomfort, lean into it. Seek out challenges that force you to think differently and act boldly. Because the career and life you want won’t come from playing it safe—it will come from embracing the unknown and trusting in your ability to adapt.

7) Treating networking as a transaction

Too many people approach networking with a “what can I get?” mindset. They connect with others only when they need a favor, a job referral, or an introduction to someone important.

But real relationships aren’t built on transactions. They’re built on trust, shared values, and genuine human connection.

If you only reach out to people when you need something, they’ll see right through it. But if you focus on giving—offering insight, support, or simply being genuinely interested in others—you’ll naturally attract opportunities without having to chase them.

Some of the most pivotal moments in my career came from relationships I never expected to be “useful.” Casual conversations turned into collaborations. A small gesture of support led to doors opening years later. The key was never to treat people as stepping stones but as humans with their own journeys.

So instead of asking “How can this person help me?”, start asking “How can I contribute?” Build real connections, and success will follow.

The quiet power of small changes

Success isn’t built on dramatic, overnight transformations. More often, it’s the subtle shifts—the habits we drop, the perspectives we tweak—that create the biggest impact over time.

Letting go of these small but limiting habits isn’t just about career growth; it’s about stepping into a more intentional way of living. Each time you choose focus over distraction, responsibility over blame, or meaning over fleeting validation, you reshape your trajectory in ways that compound over months and years.

The momentum of progress starts in these quiet moments—when you decide to embrace discomfort, set clear boundaries, or take action despite uncertainty. These shifts may seem minor in the moment, but they have the power to redefine what’s possible for you.

In the end, leveling up isn’t about chasing an external version of success—it’s about consistently removing what holds you back so you can create something truly worthwhile.