Success and happiness—two of life’s most sought-after goals—often feel elusive, as if they’re just out of reach no matter how hard we work.
But here’s the truth: they’re often not as far away as they seem.
The key isn’t about adding more to your plate or chasing endless achievements though. Instead, it’s about letting go. Letting go of the habits and mindsets that weigh you down, hold you back, and quietly sabotage your potential.
In fact, by saying goodbye to just a handful of destructive behaviors, you could completely transform your life in less than a year. What behaviors?
These ones…
1) Living in the past
It’s so easy to get caught up in the past, replaying old mistakes or dwelling on things we wish we’d done differently. But if you’re serious about achieving happiness and success within a year, this is a habit you need to say goodbye to.
Success and happiness reside in the present, not in the past. Holding onto past mistakes or regrets only serves to weigh us down and prevent us from moving forward. Instead, focus on what you can do right now, in this very moment, to improve your life.
We can’t change the past. But we can learn from it and use it to guide our actions in the present.
In the words of famous psychologist Carl Jung, “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” Your past doesn’t define you; your choices and actions do. Choose to live in the present and strive for a happier, more successful future.
2) Neglecting self-care
I can’t stress enough how crucial self-care is for success and happiness. I learned this the hard way.
A few years ago, I was working around the clock, trying to grow Hack Spirit while also juggling a full-time job. I thought that by pushing myself to the limit, I could achieve my goals faster. But instead, I ended up burned out and unhappy.
I realized that neglecting my well-being was counterproductive. I wasn’t at my best, and it was affecting every area of my life, including my work.
So, I made a conscious decision to prioritize self-care. I started eating healthier, exercising regularly, and taking time out each day for mindfulness practices.
And guess what? My productivity improved dramatically, I felt happier, and Hack Spirit began to flourish.
Don’t make the same mistake I did. Your physical and mental health is paramount. You cannot pour from an empty cup, so take care of yourself first and foremost.
3) Letting ego run the show
This is such a big one that often gets overlooked.
Our ego can often be our own worst enemy when it comes to achieving success and happiness. It can make us defensive, prevent us from learning from our mistakes, and even isolate us from others.
We get so caught up in our own importance that we forget to be humble and open-minded. We start to think that we always know best, and we stop listening to others’ ideas and perspectives.
In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve into the Buddhist teachings on ego and how they can help us lead more fulfilling lives.
If you want a deep dive, I’d love for you to read the book but for now, just know that Buddhism teaches us to cultivate a sense of self that is not tied to our accomplishments or failures. And by doing so, we free ourselves from the constraints of our ego and open up the possibility for true growth and success.
Trust me, one of the biggest steps towards success and happiness is recognizing when your ego is in control and learning to let go of it. It’s not an easy process, but it’s one that can truly transform your life for the better.
4) Succumbing to negativity
We all experience negative thoughts and emotions from time to time. It’s a natural part of being human. However, when we allow ourselves to be consumed by negativity, it can act as a roadblock on our path to success and happiness.
Psychologists call this phenomenon “negativity bias” – our tendency to give more weight to negative experiences than positive ones. This bias can cloud our judgment, affecting our decisions and actions.
To overcome this, we must make a conscious effort to focus on the positives in our lives. This doesn’t mean ignoring the negative, but rather acknowledging it and then choosing to shift our focus toward the positive.
Practices such as gratitude journaling or mindfulness meditation can help in this regard. They train our brains to notice the good things in our lives and reduce the impact of negativity bias.
5) Chasing perfection
This might sound counter-intuitive, but hear me out.
Perfection, by its very nature, is unattainable. When we set perfection as our goal, we set ourselves up for constant disappointment and self-criticism. This can lead to stress and even mental health issues like depression. The solution?
Aim for progress, not perfection. Celebrate your small wins and incremental improvements. Learn from your mistakes instead of beating yourself up over them.
Let go of the illusion of perfection and embrace the beauty of growth and progress. That’s where real accomplishment lies.
6) Avoiding risks
Risk is a part of life. Whether it’s in our personal relationships, professional careers, or even our hobbies, taking risks is often what leads to growth and success.
Avoiding risks might make you feel safe in the short term, but it can also lead to stagnation and unfulfillment in the long run. Without taking risks, we miss out on opportunities and experiences that could lead to success and happiness.
Now, this isn’t an endorsement for reckless behavior. It’s about calculated risks—weighing the potential benefits against the potential losses.
If there’s something you’ve been wanting to do but have been too scared to try, maybe it’s time to take that leap of faith.
7) Comparing yourself to others
In our social media-driven world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We see their highlight reels and instantly feel like we’re not doing enough or achieving enough.
But here’s the thing: success and happiness are not defined by other people’s standards. They’re defined by your own goals, values, and experiences.
Comparing yourself to others is not only unfair (since you’re comparing your behind-the-scenes with their highlight reel), but it’s also unproductive. It takes away your focus from your own journey and can lead to feelings of inadequacy and discontent.
Everyone’s path is unique. Focus on your own growth and progress, and celebrate your victories, no matter how small they might seem.
As Roosevelt wisely said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Don’t let it steal away your happiness and success.
Final thoughts: It’s all about choice
Success and happiness aren’t about adding more to your life—they’re about letting go of what’s holding you back.
By saying goodbye to these behaviors, you’re clearing the path for growth, fulfillment, and a brighter future.
Change doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistency and self-awareness, less than a year is all it takes to transform your life. The choice is yours—what will you let go of today?
