Life can be pretty relentless sometimes, right?
You’re hustling hard, yet it feels like you’re forever trying to catch up with your own ambitions. It might not be a case of bad luck or insufficient effort but rather certain habits you’ve unknowingly picked up that are slowing you down.
In this article, we’ll identify some habitual culprits that could be holding you back.
Letting go of them isn’t an instant ticket to success, but it’s a significant step towards real, meaningful progress.
So, if you’re fed up with feeling like you’re perpetually lagging behind, this is for you. It’s time to shake off these habits and start moving at your own pace towards a better version of yourself.
1) Trying to please everyone
Are you always saying “yes” when you really want to say “no”? Do you find yourself constantly bending over backward to meet everyone else’s expectations, often at the expense of your own needs and desires?
If you’re nodding along, then it’s time to face the uncomfortable truth: you might be a people-pleaser.
Being a people-pleaser isn’t just exhausting—it’s also a massive roadblock on your path to personal development. It leaves little room for you to pursue your own goals, and often leads to resentment and burnout.
I know that saying “no” can be scary, especially if you’re used to saying “yes”. But remember, it’s not only okay to prioritize your own needs—it’s essential for your happiness and growth.
The next time you feel the urge to say “yes” out of obligation or fear of disappointing others, take a moment. Ask yourself: is this what I truly want?
Your answer might surprise you.
2) Neglecting self-care
Ever find yourself gulping down coffee at midnight, trying to meet a deadline while your body screams for rest? Or perhaps you’ve spent countless weekends working, while your running shoes collect dust and your friends stop inviting you out?
If this sounds familiar, you might be neglecting self-care.
My friend Jake was exactly like this. A high-achieving workaholic, he was always the first one in the office and the last one to leave. He skipped meals, his sleep schedule was erratic, and his idea of relaxation was brainstorming for his next project.
But one day, his body gave in. He ended up having to take some well-needed time off. He realized that he had been neglecting his health in the pursuit of success.
The lesson here is clear: no matter how busy you are, make time for self-care. It’s not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Your physical and mental health are crucial for maintaining productivity and achieving your goals in the long run. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and time off to relax and rejuvenate are all essential components of self-care.
So don’t wait until your body gives you a wake-up call—start taking care of yourself today.
3) Procrastinating
As Mark Twain famously said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
If you find yourself constantly putting off tasks or delaying the start of a new project, you might be stuck in the grip of procrastination.
Procrastination is the art of delaying or postponing tasks, often by focusing on less urgent, more enjoyable, and easier activities instead. It’s a common problem that can lead to stress, a sense of guilt, the loss of productivity, and even disapproval from others for not fulfilling responsibilities or commitments.
Overcoming procrastination is not about perfecting your time management skills; it’s about understanding and managing your emotions.
Start by breaking your tasks down into smaller, manageable parts. Focus on one small task at a time rather than getting overwhelmed by the big picture. And most importantly, forgive yourself for past procrastination and focus on moving forward.
4) Living in the past or future
This is a big one.
If you’re always ruminating about past mistakes or worrying about the future, you’re not fully present in the here and now.
Living in the past can lead to feelings of regret and guilt, while constantly worrying about the future can cause anxiety and stress. Both prevent you from enjoying the present moment and taking action towards your current goals.
The key to overcoming this habit is mindfulness – the practice of being fully present and engaged in the current moment. Mindfulness allows us to let go of past regrets and future anxieties, and focus on what we can control – our actions in the present moment.
So, start practicing mindfulness today. It could be as simple as really savoring your morning coffee, taking a few minutes to meditate each day, or simply paying more attention to your surroundings as you walk. With time and practice, you might find yourself feeling more at peace and less like you’re constantly playing catch-up with life.
5) Multitasking
Contrary to popular belief, research shows that multitasking doesn’t actually save time. In fact, it could be slowing you down and reducing your productivity.
Experts from Stanford University say that people who multitask are less efficient at juggling multiple tasks than those who focus on one task at a time.
Multitasking might make you feel like you’re getting more done, but in reality, it divides your attention and leads to more mistakes, lower quality work, and increased stress levels. It’s like trying to run in several directions at once—you end up getting nowhere fast.
Instead of trying to do everything at once, try focusing on one task at a time. Prioritize your tasks based on their urgency and importance, and then tackle them one by one.
By giving each task your full attention, you’ll likely find that you complete it more efficiently and effectively. It might seem counterintuitive at first, especially if you’re used to juggling multiple tasks. But give it a try—you might be surprised by how much more you get done when you’re not trying to do it all at once.
6) Fear of failure
Let me share a personal story with you. When I was in high school, I loved writing. But when it came time to submit a piece for the school magazine, I held back. Why?
I was terrified of failing, of having my work criticized or rejected.
This fear of failure stopped me from pursuing something I loved. It wasn’t until later in life, when I started writing again, that I realized something crucial: failure isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it’s often a stepping stone to success.
Are you holding back because you’re afraid of failing? If so, it’s time to let go of that fear. Understand that failure is a natural part of life and growth. Each failure is an opportunity to learn and improve.
Every successful person has failed at some point. What sets them apart is that they didn’t let failure stop them—they used it as a stepping stone to achieve their goals.
7) Lack of self-belief
Do you often find yourself doubting your abilities or second-guessing your decisions? Do you believe that others are more capable or deserving of success than you?
Self-belief, or confidence in one’s own abilities and worth, is crucial for success and happiness. Without it, you might find yourself holding back from opportunities, setting the bar too low, or even sabotaging your own success out of fear that you’re not good enough.
The truth is, everyone has unique talents and strengths. You are capable and deserving of success just as much as anyone else. It’s time to start believing in yourself.
8) Overthinking
Overthinking not only saps our energy and steals our time but also leads to indecision and inaction.
It keeps us stuck in our heads, creating problems that don’t exist and magnifying those that do. It’s like being in a mental hamster wheel, going round and round but getting nowhere.
Breaking the cycle of overthinking involves recognizing when you’re doing it and then taking steps to shift your focus. Mindfulness, as mentioned earlier, is one technique that can help. Another is to take action—even if it’s just a small step towards your goal, action can break the loop of overthinking and move you forward.
9) Not setting clear goals
Last but not least, one of the major reasons why many of us feel like we’re always playing catch-up is that we don’t have clear goals. Without a clear destination in mind, we end up aimlessly drifting through life, reacting to whatever comes our way instead of proactively working towards our goals.
Setting clear and specific goals gives you a roadmap to follow. It helps you focus your efforts and keeps you motivated, even when the going gets tough. Whether it’s a career goal, a personal development goal, or a health goal, having something specific to work towards can make a huge difference in how you live your life.
Start by identifying what you really want to achieve in different areas of your life. Then, break these down into smaller, more manageable goals. Be as specific as possible—instead of saying “I want to get fit”, say “I want to be able to run 5km without stopping in 6 months”. Having specific, measurable goals makes it easier to track your progress and stay motivated.
The bottom line
Breaking free from the never-ending game of catch-up is about recognizing and saying goodbye to habits that are slowing you down. It’s about embracing change, taking charge of your own life, and directing your energy towards what truly matters to you.
Remember, progress isn’t always fast, but each small step you take is a step away from constantly playing catch-up and a step closer to the life you want to lead. So why not start today?
Say goodbye to these habits and embrace a new way of living.
We’d love to hear from you! Which of these habits resonates with you the most? Do you have any other habits that you’ve had to break free from in order to stop playing catch-up?
Feel free to share your experiences or thoughts in the comments below. We’re all in this journey together, so let’s learn and grow from each other’s experiences.
What would Marcus Aurelius say?
Unsure what to do next in your career? Struggling to move on from a failed relationship? Searching for more meaning in life?
Marcus Aurelius can tell you how to face your challenges in a more Stoic way.
Simply ask your question, and Marcus Aurelius will answer.
