Sometimes, to become successful and get closer to the person we can become, we don’t need to add more things — we need to give up on some of them. As we head into the new year, there are certain things that are universal, which will make you successful if you give up on them, even though each one of us could have a different definition of success. You can give up on some of them today, while it might take a bit longer to give up on others.
Give up the short-term mindset: Successful people set long-term goals, and they know these aims are merely the result of short-term habits that they need to do every day. These healthy habits shouldn’t be something you do; they should be something you embody. In 2020, you must ensure that you jettison this lifestyle.
Give up your excuses : Successful people know that they are responsible for their life, no matter their starting point, weaknesses, and past failures. Realising that you are responsible for what happens next in your life is both frightening and exciting. And when you do, that becomes the only way you can become successful, because excuses limit and prevent us from growing personally and professionally. Own your life; no one else will.
Stop picking unnecessary fights : Friendships and relationships can be difficult at times, and valid reasons for arguments certainly exist. If you find yourself picking fights with your friends or spouse over small, inconsequential things, though, it’s time to change your ways. Otherwise, you’ll both tire of the constant bickering and break it off. You don’t need this kind of vibe in the new year.
Stop borrowing: The greatest threat to your financial well-being is borrowing. I am not just talking about reckless borrowing, either, but ordinary borrowing in the form of personal loans, overdrafts and credit cards. This is because the cost of borrowing money is a huge drain on your most valuable asset — your income. What’s more, the cost of borrowing can’t just be measured in terms of the interest you are paying. You must also factor in the opportunity cost — the money you would otherwise be making if you were investing your income instead of spending it on servicing your debts.
Give up your perfectionism : Nothing will ever be perfect, no matter how much we try. Fear of failure (or even fear of success) often prevents us from taking an action and putting our creation out there in the world. But a lot of opportunities will be lost if we wait for the things to be right.
Sever ties with toxic people: People we spend the most time with, add up to who we become. There are people who are less accomplished in their personal and professional life, and there are people who are more accomplished than us. If you spend time with those who are behind you, your average will go down, and with it, your success. But if you spend time with people who are more accomplished than you, no matter how challenging that might be, you will become more successful. Take a look at around you, and see if you need to make any changes.
