Success isn’t some magic trick or overnight win. It’s about cutting out the garbage holding you back. You’re probably doing at least a few of these 18 things, and they’re killing your progress. I’m not here to sugarcoat it; just stop them. Here’s the list, with no fluff, just the truth.
1. Stop Telling Everyone Your Goals
You think sharing your big plans with the world is motivating? Wrong. When you blab about your goals, your brain gets a cheap hit of dopamine, like you’ve already done the work. It’s the same rush you’d get from actually crushing it, but you haven’t done sh*t yet. Your brain thinks, “Cool, we’re done,” and your motivation tanks. Keep your mouth shut. Write your goals down, lock them in a drawer, and let your actions do the talking. Nobody needs to know until you’re holding the results.
2. Wasting Time Partying
Partying is a trap, especially in 2025. Social media, ads, influencers, they all push this lie that getting wasted every weekend is the ultimate way to live when you’re young. It’s not. It’s a black hole for your time, energy, and focus. You’re out there drinking, dancing, and waking up with a headache, while your goals are collecting dust. If you’re 18-25, you’ve got speed and energy, use it to build something real, not to chase hangovers. One night out isn’t worth a week of lost progress.
3. Watching P0rn
Yeah, I’m going there. P0rn is a silent killer of your drive. Your brain’s wired like it’s still the Stone Age; back then, getting with someone meant you were a success. Jerking off tricks your brain into thinking you’ve already won, so it kills your hunger to go after real goals. You don’t even notice it, but it’s draining your ambition. Cut it out. Delete the tabs, block the sites, and get your focus back. You’ll feel the difference in days.
4. Spending Like a Millionaire
You see rappers, influencers, or CEOs flexing supercars, Rolexes, and diamond chains, and you think, “I want that.” Here’s the deal: they’re loaded, you’re not (yet). There’s a saying that hits hard: “If you don’t earn like them, don’t spend like them.” Overspending on flashy stuff you can’t afford puts you in debt and stress, not success. Save your money, invest in yourself, skills, tools, health. That’s what gets you to their level, not a leased BMW.
5. Being Scared of Risks
The biggest risk is playing it safe. If you never take a chance, you’re stuck where you are, forever. Taking a smart risk, like starting a side hustle or pitching a bold idea, gives you a shot at winning big. Doing nothing? That’s a guaranteed loss. You can’t go from broke to balling without stepping out of your comfort zone. Calculate the risk, sure, but don’t freeze. Move. You’ll learn more from failing than from sitting still.
6. Falling for Distractions
If you’re young, distractions are everywhere. Your friends are out getting high, drunk, or clubbing, working dead-end jobs during the day, and calling it a life. That’s not living, it’s wasting your potential. Drugs, booze, and late nights wreck your brain and sap your energy. You don’t need to follow the crowd to fit in. Say no, lock in on your goals, and watch how fast you pull ahead while they’re stuck in the same loop.
7. Chasing Cheap Women
Hooking up with random women from clubs or one-night stands feels fun in the moment, but it’s a dead end. These women aren’t worth your time; they’re not relationship material, and deep down, you know it. Chasing them burns your energy and focus, and you’re not their first rodeo. Respect yourself more. Focus on building your life, not chasing someone who’s just passing through.
8. Skipping the Gym
No excuses. Tired? The gym will wake you up. Busy? Your health comes first, period. Feeling down? Science says exercise boosts your mood better than any pill. Skipping gym days is like skipping meals, you’re starving your body and mind. Get in there, lift some weights, run, or just move. You’ll feel stronger, sharper, and ready to tackle your goals. Stop overthinking it and just go.
9. Hunting for Shortcuts
Greatness doesn’t come fast. Those “get rich quick” schemes you see online? They’re usually scams, and the only one getting rich is the guy selling you the course. Real success takes time, years, not months. Stop looking for hacks or magic pills. Put in the work, day after day, even when it feels slow. That’s how you build something that lasts, not some flimsy overnight win.
10. Getting Too Comfortable
Comfort is the enemy of success. If you’re chilling, coasting, or “taking it easy,” you’re not growing, you’re dying slowly. You’ve got one life, so why are you acting like you’ve got time to waste? Push yourself. Take on hard tasks. Stay hungry. The second you settle for comfort, you’re letting your dreams slip away. Get up and move before it’s too late.
11. Mindless Scrolling
Scrolling on your phone is the fastest way to burn hours and get nothing done. You might tell yourself, “I’m learning stuff, it’s all self-improvement content.” Cool, but knowing isn’t doing. You’ve probably watched 100 videos on “how to succeed” already, why aren’t you moving? Put the phone down and start. Success isn’t hiding in your feed; it’s out there waiting for you to act.
12. Waiting for Motivation
Motivation is a myth. It’s nice when it shows up, but it’s gone in a week. Discipline is what pushes you to get up, even when you’d rather stay in bed. It’s what keeps you working when you feel like crap. Stop waiting for a spark, you’re not a kid who needs a pep talk. Build habits, stick to them, and watch how far you go. Success isn’t supposed to feel easy.
13. Getting Sucked into Drama
Gossip and drama are time vampires. That call with your buddy about who’s dating who or what went down at some party? Total waste. Why are you stressing about other people’s lives? If you’re talking about them, you’re not working on your own sh*t. Cut the drama, cut the calls, and focus on what actually matters: your goals.
14. Binge-Watching YouTube
I’ll be real, I fall into this trap too. You tell yourself, “I earned this, one video won’t hurt.” Next thing you know, it’s 3 a.m., and you’ve watched 12 tutorials on stuff you’ll never use. YouTube’s a rabbit hole. Set a timer, stick to one video if you must, then get back to work. Your goals don’t care about your “deserved break.”
15. Procrastinating
Procrastination is a beast, and just saying “start working” doesn’t always cut it. I’ve been there; hell, I put off writing this for three hours. Here’s what works for me: drop everything. Phone, laptop, headphones, gone. Step outside, breathe some fresh air, splash water on your face, or go for a quick run. It’s like hitting reset on your brain. Then come back and dive in. Breaking bad momentum is easier than fighting it.
16. Comparing Yourself to Others
You see some guy on X flexing his Lambo or six-figure crypto gains, and you feel like you’re behind. Stop it. Their life isn’t yours. Comparing yourself to others just makes you bitter and distracted. Focus on your own path, your own wins. You’re not racing them, you’re racing the old you. Keep your eyes on your own paper.
17. Holding Grudges
Carrying grudges is like carrying a backpack full of rocks. It weighs you down, clouds your head, and steals your energy. Someone screwed you over? Let it go. Not for them, for you. Holding onto anger doesn’t hurt them, it hurts your focus and your progress. Forgive, forget, and keep moving. You’ve got better things to do.
18. Ignoring Your Health
You can’t succeed if you’re falling apart. Eating junk, skipping sleep, and neglecting your body will catch up with you. You don’t need a perfect diet or a crazy workout plan, just eat real food, sleep 7-8 hours, and move every day. Your brain and body are your tools. Treat them like garbage, and they’ll fail you when you need them most.
In The End
Stop making excuses. These 18 things are holding you back, and you know it. You don’t need another motivational quote or video; you need to act. Pick one thing from this list, cut it out today, and watch how much clearer your path gets. Success isn’t waiting for you to feel ready. It’s waiting for you to stop screwing yourself over. Get to it.
