As an entrepreneur, I know firsthand how easy it is to get lost in the hustle—long hours, endless to-do lists, and constantly pushing for that next milestone.
Life is demanding, and sometimes, it feels like there’s just no time to stop and take a breath. But what happens when that drive and ambition start to take a toll on your happiness?
If you’re like me, you might not even notice it at first. You just keep pushing, keep striving, until one day you realize that you can’t remember the last time you genuinely felt good about your life. I’ve been there.
And here’s what I’ve learned: More often than not, it’s not just about what you do—it’s about what you need to stop doing. Certain habits creep in that, without realizing it, drain your energy, cloud your focus, and rob you of the joy that made you start this journey in the first place.
So today, I want to dig into some habits that you might need to say goodbye to if you want to find your way back to feeling good about your life—both in business and beyond.
Trust me, letting go of these has made all the difference for me. It might just do the same for you.
Let’s dive in.
1) Constantly comparing yourself to others
One of the most destructive habits people fall into has to be the comparison game.
You know what I’m talking about: the constant measurement of your life against someone else’s. The incessant checking of social media to see how your life stacks up against the highlight reels of your friends and acquaintances.
The problem with this habit is that it breeds discontentment and dissatisfaction. It’s a never-ending cycle because there will always be someone who appears to have a better life, a better job, a better house… you get my drift.
Breaking free from this habit can be challenging, but it’s essential for your peace of mind and happiness.
As psychologist and author Dr. Jordan Peterson advises, “Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.” Instead of fixating on others, focus on your own journey, growth, and achievements.
2) Neglecting self-care
Let me share a personal story with you. A few years ago, I was so buried in work that I forgot to take care of myself.
I was pulling late nights, skipping meals, and pushing aside any form of exercise or downtime. I thought I was being productive, but in reality, I was slowly burning myself out.
One day, I woke up feeling extremely unwell. My body had finally protested against the neglect, and it took a serious toll on my mental wellbeing too.
That’s when I realized the importance of self-care. It’s not just about the occasional spa day or treating yourself to a fancy dinner. It’s about ensuring you’re eating right, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and taking mental breaks.
Since then, I’ve made a conscious effort to make self-care a priority and trust me, it has made all the difference to my overall happiness and even how much I get done.
And it’s not just me. Experts like those at Choosing Therapy have noted that the benefits of self-care include happier relationships, better self-esteem, and even increased productivity.
3) Living with a bloated ego
Now, this is a tricky one. Ego can be a complicated beast. It can drive us to achieve great things, but it can also hold us back from true happiness.
When our ego is inflated, we tend to view life through a lens of entitlement and self-importance. We’re constantly seeking validation and approval from others, which can lead to dissatisfaction and unhappiness.
But here’s the thing: we can learn to manage our ego for a more balanced and fulfilling life.
In fact, in my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve into the teachings of Buddhism that help us understand and tame our ego.
By learning to live with a minimal ego, we open ourselves up to genuine connections with others, a greater understanding of our place in the world, and a deeper sense of happiness.
4) Dwelling on the past
This is such a huge one.
When you’re constantly reliving past mistakes, grievances or regrets, you’re essentially trapping yourself in a cycle of negative emotions. This can have a detrimental impact on your mental health, and prevents you from fully enjoying the present and planning for the future.
So, how do you break free from this habit?
Well, one practical step that has helped me a lot is mindfulness.
Mindfulness is about being fully present in the current moment, acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. This practice has roots in Buddhist philosophy and has been widely embraced in psychological therapies as an effective method to reduce anxiety and depression.
5) Chasing after happiness
Now, this might sound counter-intuitive. After all, isn’t the pursuit of happiness what we’re all striving for?
Well, not quite.
You see, there’s a fine line between wanting to lead a happy life and constantly chasing after happiness as if it’s some elusive treasure. The truth is, happiness is not something you find, it’s something you cultivate.
When we’re constantly in pursuit of happiness, we’re often looking for external factors to fill that void. A new job, a new relationship, a fancy car – but these things only provide temporary satisfaction.
True happiness stems from within. It’s about finding contentment in who you are and what you have right now. It’s about embracing the journey of life with all its ups and downs.
So instead of chasing after happiness, focus on cultivating it. Practice gratitude, nurture your relationships, pursue your passions and take care of your mental and physical health.
In conclusion: It’s a journey
Whether it’s giving up comparisons, embracing self-care, taming the ego, releasing the past, or redefining how you see happiness, each small change can make a huge difference.
These shifts have transformed not just how I feel day-to-day but how I approach my work, my relationships, and my purpose.
And I’m willing to bet they could do the same for you.
You’ve got this. Keep moving forward.
