I recently released my new E-book, 3 Habits That Attract Success, where I discuss ways you can draw success. Part of learning anything in life, however, is also understanding what not to do. As with anything in life, we must have a proper balance of knowledge and experience in order to be successful. There are countless habits that contribute to being successful and unsuccessful. Many people can attribute just a few daily habits to their achievements in life, and others can probably point to a few habits that contribute to their lack of success. The key is to continue what gets you closer to your goals and discontinue what doesn’t. That’s easier said than done of course, but the first step is always awareness. I want to bring awareness here and discuss 3 Habits That Repel Success.
Negative Words
Negative words used in any form can and will repel success in any area of your life. This is typically manifested by complaining, murmuring, and even engaging in negative self-talk. It is obvious how one negative person in a room can change the entire atmosphere of a meeting, party, or any other social event. It is socially unacceptable to be that person who disrupts the vibe of the room with negative words. This helps ensure this behavior doesn’t become the norm because the standard is quite clear.
“Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.”
Napoleon Hill
What isn’t quite as easy to govern is negative self-talk. The problem with this habit is that it’s very difficult to become aware that it even exists. When someone engages in this behavior publicly, it isn’t as acceptable to correct them as long as they are speaking negatively about themselves and not others. When I was a child, this habit wasn’t allowed to form because my parents would not allow negative self-talk. Unfortunately, many people have not had anyone to help them become aware of this habit.
“No level of obstacle can prevail in crippling a mind that’s continuously fed with positive self-talk.”
Edmond Mbiaka
We don’t realize just how powerful our words can be, not only on others but also ourselves. If you have a habit of repeatedly talking negatively about yourself, stop it. Your words have the power to make you or break you. If you choose to engage in negative self-talk, you will certainly repel success from your life.
“You can change your world by changing your words…Remember, death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Joel Osteen
Negative Thinking
Negative thoughts will certainly repel success from your life in any area. This is very similar to negative words and has a similar impact. The reason is because you typically think it before you even speak it, whatever it may be. If you want to be successful, it is important to eliminate your negative thinking habit.
“You cannot think negative and have a positive life. Meaning you cannot sow tomato seeds and expect pepper fruits.”
Oscar Bimpong
Having accountability for speaking negatively is already quite difficult. Negative thinking is obviously more difficult because only you can hear your own thoughts. While your mouth will always tell others what’s going on inside your mind, you are still responsible for your own thoughts. Your mind is a garden and you are the gardener.
Three influences to negative thinking are negative people, negative television content, and negative newspapers and other reading materials. You may have heard it said, “You are what you eat.” That is true of food as well as what you feed your mind. The key to eliminating negative thoughts is to feed your mind with positive things.
My young children wake up each day full of joy and ready to embark on a new adventure of playtime. They are care-free and have no room for negative thoughts at their ages, besides when the other wants to play with a toy that they don’t want to share. How do we go from joyful, playful, and thinking so positively about life at that age to a negative thinking adult? Certainly life has a way of throwing punches that can influence the way we think. I still believe, however, that we have a choice. We can make a choice to ignore the, often legitimate, excuses we have to think negatively and choose to live a life of optimism.
“Positive thinking and negative thinking cannot operate at the same level in your mind, one needs to be the master and the one you feed more will rule over the other.”
Oscar Bimpong
Lack of Balance
A lack of balance may not sound like a habit but it will certainly repel success from your life. It is indeed a habit because it shows up in multiple areas of a person’s life. While we are looking to succeed in one of area of life, we cannot sacrifice success in other areas just as important.
“Time and balance the two most difficult things to have control over, yet they are both the things that we do control.”
Catherine Pulsifer
Many companies today now understand the importance of balance for their employees. It has been learned through experience that we are more productive while at work when we are able to achieve more balance. One early example is Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company. In 1922, Ford decided to reduce the workweek from six days to five days, which greatly influenced the rest of the manufacturers around the world to do the same. It was found that the workers were much more productive in five days on the job versus coming in for six days. One important note is that he also raised pay for his workers as well.
The point here is that study after study has shown that balance is important to our well being. It allows us to be and stay productive in anything we want to achieve. We must actively choose to live a life of balance and make it a daily habit. One piece of advice for doing this on your job is to set a timer for 90 minutes and work until the timer goes off. Afterward, you should then take a short break to let your mind rest and get refocused. Balance is important even in small matters like this.
A lack of balance can and will cause you to lose important things in pursuit of success in life. These can include your health, relationships, and even your family. While I encourage you to go hard after anything you desire to achieve, it is important to remember this principle of balance. I recall Jim Rohn saying, “Some things I pursued early in life, cost me too much.” You don’t have to live a long time to gain valuable insight from others who have failed to remember this. If you want to be successful in life, stay balanced in your pursuit of success.
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