If you really want to change your life, start saying “no” to these 7 things

Eat, sleep, work, repeat. 

Sounds boring, right? Honestly, I nodded off just writing it. 

But the harsh truth is that’s the reality for 99.9% of us. And if any of this rings true for you – you’re likely stuck in a rut!

Let’s face it. The monotony of everyday life can be difficult to break. 

Sometimes, it’s like drowning in quicksand. The more you struggle, the harder it is to get out.

Well, I’m letting you know – it doesn’t have to be that way. 

By making some simple changes to your daily routine, you can retrain your brain – it’s scientifically proven.

Not sure where to start?

Say “no” to these seven things and make today the first day of the rest of your life. 

Knock, knock. Who’s there? Oh, hello, it’s you, 2.0.

1) Engaging in time-wasting activities

Procrastination. We’re all guilty of it. 

I know I am. 

And no matter how many times we tell ourselves that “this time will be different”, we keep making the same mistake. Over and over again.

It’s as if we’re wired that way. 

Maybe it’s binge-watching your favorite Netflix series instead of doing the dishes. 

Or perhaps you can’t say “no” to another round of Wordle. When really, you should be revamping your résumé. Tut, tut. 

But guess what?

That time-wasting activity, while fun, isn’t going to help you get sh*t done. It’s holding you back. 

And by putting off those less desirable tasks now, you’re only adding to your stress and worries later on. 

The thing is. It’s all about time management. 

So the next time you find your mind starting to drift, take action. Say “no” to procrastination, and try breaking those tasks down into more manageable bite-sized ones.

2) Giving into perfectionism

Of course, procrastination isn’t always about poor self-control. 

It can be a side-effect of your overriding perfectionism. 

And deep down, you’re putting off that important task because you’re afraid of messing things up. 

That’s right. 

All that overthinking, compulsive tinkering, and obsessing over getting things “just right” is stopping you from progressing. However well-intentioned. 

The thing is. By holding yourself to exceedingly high standards, you’re only setting yourself up for failure. The one thing you fear the most.

Let me be frank here. Perfection simply isn’t feasible. No one is perfect. And that’s the bare bones of it.

Instead, embrace your imperfections, practice mindfulness, and come to terms with the fact that doing your best is good enough.

If you don’t, that perfectionism can be harmful to your mental health. 

3) Participating in negative self-talk

Sometimes, we’re our own worst enemies. 

And listening to that inner critic can have negative consequences on our psyche. 

In fact, research shows that self-criticism can have a lasting effect on your confidence.

As a result, it can impact your motivation to complete tasks or achieve your goals – period. 

Not very uplifting, huh? Well, there is another way. 

Instead of spiraling out of control and giving into that negative mindset, stop! And take a step back.

Identify that you’re being self-critical. Then, replace that negative habit with something positive by practicing some self-compassion. 

Mindfulness, positive affirmations, and constructive self-reflection have all been proven to provide a positive feedback loop and reassure us during periods of self-doubt. 

4) Hanging around toxic influences

What’s worse than putting yourself down? Other people doing it for you. 

That’s why it’s important to distance yourself from negative influences in your life. 

In fact, it should be your first port of call. 

Think about it. Drama, negativity, and toxicity. None of that sounds very nice, does it?

And it’s not. It’s just going to drag you down and make you lose confidence in yourself. 

I’m not saying you shouldn’t have anyone in your life, of course not. Quite the opposite. 

But by ensuring you have a strong social network to support and inspire you, you’re increasing your chances of success. 

Not only that, but it can also help boost your self-esteem. 

And when you’re surrounded by positive forces, like the bad, it can have a knock-on effect. Just this time, a happy one.

5) Comparing yourself to others

Getting approval from others can be very satisfying. 

It gives us purpose and something to aim for. Maybe it even gives you a sense of pride.

That said, don’t fall into the comparison trap. It will only damage your self-esteem and confidence in the long run. 

Look. It’s human nature to compare ourselves to others. 

And according to studies, 10% of our time is focused on social comparison. Be it intelligence, attractiveness, or wealth. 

It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Comparing ourselves to others motivates us and allows us to measure our personal growth. 

But when those social comparisons start to drag us down, it’s time to reevaluate their worth. 

Instead, focus on your own journey and progress. 

At the end of the day, we all have our unique strengths and weaknesses. And everyone moves at their own pace. 

And you know what? That’s totally fine. 

6) Making excuse after excuse 

Sometimes we mess up. We’re human, after all. 

But if you find yourself constantly shifting the blame or making excessive excuses, it might be time to say “no” to that behavior. 

Let me explain. 

When we make excuses for ourselves, more often than not, it’s a defense mechanism. 

By that, I mean a way to protect our egos and avoid conflict. Among other things.

Most of the time, that’s fine. Harmless, even.

However, if you never take responsibility for your actions, this habit could actually be hurting you. 

And studies show it can impact your self-esteem. 

Not to mention, you’ll never be able to learn or grow as a person if you can’t accept or work on your faults.

7) Letting fear of change control your life

Personal growth is all about looking inward and evaluating what does and doesn’t need improvement. 

In other words, to flourish, you need to be open to change. 

Sometimes, that means stepping out of your comfort zone to pursue new opportunities. Other times, it might mean doing nothing at all. 

Either way, I know it can be scary. But unless you’re willing to move past your own fear and self-doubt, you’re only holding yourself back. 

Ultimately, it’s up to you, and only you, to embrace these changes. 

So good luck. And remember, don’t let fear dictate your life.