5 Habits to Kick Out for Personal Growth: A Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Procrastination

Now that we are a few months into the new year, it’s the perfect time to check in on yourself and take inventory of your goals and habits.

Are you still working towards your new year resolutions, or have you lost your enthusiasm? No worries, it happens to the best of us. However, it’s important to recognize and kick out old habits that may be harmful and prevent you from being the best version of yourself.

Overextending yourself

First things first, let’s talk about overextending yourself. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, and if you keep saying yes to everything, you’ll eventually run out of time and energy. It’s important to prioritize what’s truly important and learn to say no. Don’t feel guilty about it. Saying no can free up your time to do things that matter most, like spending quality time with your loved ones.

Self-doubt

Another habit that can hold you back is self-doubt. Start acknowledging your abilities and trust that you can achieve great things. Stop speaking negatively about yourself and your life. Give yourself a pep talk and smile often. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Whether it’s starting a new business, changing your career, or even painting your kitchen, you can do it!

Damaging relationships

Surrounding yourself with people who make you feel bad about yourself can cause deep emotional harm. It could be a neighbor, spouse, coworker, or even a rebellious child. Be mindful of who you allow in your personal space, and sometimes, it’s necessary to limit or even cut off communication with toxic people. Set healthy boundaries and stick to them. If possible, confront the offender and explain why you feel they are hurting your relationship with them through their behavior. Not everyone has to be your friend, and that’s okay.

Procrastinating

Procrastinating is one of the main deterrents to achieving your dreams and goals. If you tend to procrastinate, take some time to identify the trigger and determine what you can do to alleviate it. Are you afraid of starting a job or project? Do you feel unqualified for the assignment? Perhaps breaking it down into smaller tasks could help. Remember, discipline is key to overcoming procrastination.

Comparing ourselves to others

Thanks to social media, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We see everyone’s highlight reels and start feeling inadequate and unfulfilled. But comparison truly is the thief of joy. Instead, focus on gratitude and be thankful for what you have in your life. Search out things in your life to be grateful for, and you’ll start feeling more content and fulfilled.

Leaving negative habits behind

Finally, leaving negative habits behind is great, but what’s even better is replacing them with new, positive ones. As the old proverb goes, “When you pluck out a weed, you must plant a flower in its place.” A great example of this is George Muller. He was wasting his life and money on wild living and drinking with friends until a friend invited him to a prayer meeting, which changed the course of his life. He gave up drinking and partying with friends and found his calling in life. He and his wife opened their home to 10,000 orphans, established 117 schools, and taught over 120,000 children.

Leaving unproductive, negative habits behind leaves room for you to grow and change, just like George Muller did.

Identifying and kicking out old, negative habits can be challenging, but it’s necessary for personal growth and success. So take some time to reflect on your habits and prioritize what’s important. Believe in yourself, set healthy boundaries, and replace negative habits with positive ones.

The Tuttle Twins Guide to Courageous Heroes is a great resource for learning about individuals like George Mueller who overcame themselves to change the world. Let’s follow in their footsteps and be courageous heroes in our own lives.

It’s never too late to start making positive changes and living the life you truly want. So, let’s do it!