What NOT to do if you'd like to succeed

Many of us heard the saying, “It’s harder to break a habit than it is to form one.”

It can be hard to unlearn something that isn’t serving you, so being mindful of which habits you develop from the get-go and what habits to avoid can set you on the right path from the beginning.

Many blogs give you tips on what to do to achieve your goals and dreams. However, I would like to discuss what you should NOT do in your life to get ahead and succeed.

Don’t let unsupportive people drag you down

The world we live in with social media and its use for expressing just about any opinion can be negative. People from your past or current life can criticise any aspect of your life, especially if you try to stand out and do something different.

Get used to the possibility of negative comments and learn how not to let them affect you and throw you off your path. Filter them out and avoid unsupportive people. Instead, surround yourself with those who lift you and enjoy seeing you succeed.

Don’t let others determine your path

Don’t let other people tell you if what you’re doing with your life is right or wrong. No one knows what’s good for you except you. You decide what to do with your life and what career or passion to go for. Don’t be afraid to follow the path you see as perfect for yourself even if others question it.

Don’t let past issues turn into present excuses

Any troubles you may have experienced in the past shouldn’t affect your confidence and efforts in succeeding right now. Don’t let those mistakes or issues destroy any chances you may have at getting ahead and creating the life you truly want. Learn from your past, and don’t take it with you into the future.

Don’t stop dreaming, even when you fail

There will be times when things don’t go as per the plan, and you may fail. You may get off your track and think it’s time to give up. However, the most important (and hardest) is to keep believing in yourself and your dreams and not give up. Persistence can deliver amazing results. Some goals are not impossible; they just take time with temporary bumps on the road.

Don’t let your fears hold you back

In the world of so much awareness and “could be, would be, should be”, you can get caught up in fears and precautions and stop in your tracks. Be aware of your current environment and possibilities, but don’t let your fears control what you should be doing. Don’t forget about your capabilities and the endless possibilities that are out there.

Don’t think small

When you set your goals, you acknowledge that they aren’t something you can achieve by default. You create a plan and take steps to achieve something important to you. So don’t think small. Treat yourself to your full potential and think large (but realistic, of course). Challenge yourself and get yourself outside the comfort zone and reap the rewards.

Don’t chase people; instead - attract them

Whether it’s business or life, focus on creating something that will bring good and benefit to others. If it’s your business - then make the product or service attractive to your customers, so they come to you in the first place and then keep coming back. If it’s your life - then spread joy, kindness and knowledge to people around you and see them surround you.

Don’t make uneducated guesses

While you need to be brave and take the necessary steps to get ahead, you must have a little bit of knowledge first. There are lots of ways to learn these days - articles, podcasts, courses and so on. Take advantage of what’s available and learn what you need to know to achieve your goal. Don’t take shortcuts or guess!