“Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.”
-Coco Chanel
When we think about how to achieve success, we often focus on the skills and habits we should add to our lives. But sometimes the key to success actually lies in our ability to give up certain habits and behaviors. So starting today…
- Give up the habit of waiting. – The way you spend your time defines who you are. You don’t get to choose how you are going to die, or when; you can only decide how you are going to live right now. Trust me, a year from now you will wish you had started today. Read The Now Habit
.
- Give up the excuses. – Sooner or later you will come to realize that it’s not what you lose along the way that counts; it’s what you do with what you still have. When you let go, forgive, and move on, you in no way change the past, you change the future.
- Give up trying to be perfect. – Sometimes we try to show the world that we are flawless in hopes that we will be liked and accepted by everyone. But we can’t please everyone, and we shouldn’t try. The beauty of us lies in our vulnerability, our love, our complex emotions – our authentic imperfections. When we embrace who we are and decide to be authentic, instead of perfect, we open ourselves up to real relationships, real happiness, and real success. There is no need to put on a mask. There is no need to pretend to be someone you’re not. You are perfectly imperfect just the way you are.
- Give up doing things you know are wrong. – Nothing is more damaging to you than doing something that you believe is wrong. Your beliefs alone don’t help you grow and thrive, your behavior and actions do. So always do what you know in your heart is right, for you.
- Give up feelings of entitlement. – Nobody owes you anything. When you approach life with the false sense that you are owed things, you will naturally become less productive and constantly find yourself disappointed by reality. When you are grateful for what you have, and see positive things as bonuses, versus owed entitlements, you will earn great successes gradually as you grow. Read The Road Less Traveled
.
- Give up relationships that want you to be someone else. – The best kind of relationship is the one that makes you a better person without changing you into someone other than yourself.
- Give up letting others decide what you can and can’t do. – In order to live your own authentic life, you have to follow YOUR inner GPS, not someone else’s. When others say, “You can’t do it!” or “That’s impossible,” don’t lose hope. Just because they couldn’t doesn’t mean you can’t.
- Give up being a helpless victim. – Yes, it is unfortunate that sometimes bad things happen to the best of people. Life can be unfair, unkind and unjust. However, being stuck in a victim mentality does not nurture your ability to move onward and upward. You’ve got to stand back up and take positive steps to heal and grow.
- Give up worrying about past failures. – Accept your past without regret, handle your presence with confidence, and face your future without fear. You are today where your thoughts and actions have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts and actions take you. Read How to Stop Worrying and Start Living
.
- Give up blaming everyone else. – Either you own your situation or it will own you. Either you take responsibility for your life, or someone else will. Blame is a scapegoat – it’s an easy way out of taking accountability for your own outcome. It’s a lot easier to point the finger at someone or something else instead of looking within. Blame is not constructive; it does not help you or anyone else – nobody wins in the blame game. The amount of energy and stress it takes to place blame elsewhere takes away from your ability to move forward and find a real solution.
And remember, the road you are traveling may be the more challenging one, but don’t lose faith. Don’t listen to the doubters, don’t let setbacks keep you down, and most of all, don’t give up on yourself.
It’s okay if you don’t know how much more you can handle. It’s fine if you don’t know exactly what to do next. Eventually you’ll let go of how things ‘should be’ and start to see all the great possibilities in front of you. This is your life – grab the wheel with both hands and keep steering yourself in the right direction.
Photo by: Toni Blay
Miriam says
Thank you! Such positive, practical advice for the month ahead. Timely and on point as usual.
jonathan says
I’ve been having a rough time getting on point lately, and I randomly saw this article pop up in my feed reader. You just motivated me to give up the excuses and move forward with my goal. I’m getting on it now!
Best regards.
Uduak says
I am grateful every day for the positive principles you instill in my life. 🙂
Glori says
Thank you for the great reminders. 8, 9, and 10 are the ones I have to work hard on…
J Story says
Interesting article. It is also worth keeping in mind that just as success requires giving up things, it is also important to have a goal in mind and a way forward. To this end, I am reminded of the well-known “SMART” criteria for goals: To increase the odds of success, a goal should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and have a Time limit.
Kat says
Your posts seem to know exactly the right time to appear in my inbox! Another great one from you guys, love your work 🙂
ene okwori says
I really love almost everything you write and put together for us. Thanks.
Palani says
What a motivating article… here’s to success! Very good one.
TB at BlueCollarWorkman says
This is an amazing post, dude. And it’s all so true, it’s ridiculous that we get into these negative loops or “doing nothing” feedback circles because of fear, laziness, blame, etc. A big one of these for my family is “Give up blaming everyone else.” We’re pretty good at the blame game; but if everyone (including myself) just took responsibilty for their own actions, their own outcomes, and their own reactions, unnecessary drama would clear up instantly!
Shelley says
I need messages all the time to stay positive and focus on today and tomorrow, not the past. Thanks for always providing food for thought.
Jonathan Look, Jr. says
I especially like number six, “Give up relationships that want you to be someone else.”
If you are someone truly remarkable, which is something we should all strive for, being yourself is truly amazing. We all have room for improvement but it is our responsibility to be ourselves. After all, no one else can be “you”.
Jay says
Grace and gratitude for another inspiring post of practical wisdom.
FS says
In the chaos of my life right now, it’s sometimes hard to find direction. And that’s why I read your blog. It helps.
Claudia Hall Christian says
What fabulous reminders. I think one of the hardest sticking points in using these tools is having the distance to see that you’re using excuses, stuck in perfectionism, waiting, being a victim or any of the others.
Any ideas on how to make sure you, or really I’m asking for me ;), create the distance to assess where you are?
jacy says
I needed this today. And so does my 25 year old son. (I forwarded it to him via your share link. Thanks for that.) We are both trying to transition ourselves to a better life. Even though we are shuffling through different demons and issues, the advice you wrote will help us both. For me, 1,7, and 8 are especially inspirational. I know my son will take 2,3, and 4 to heart. Good writing, good work, and I really appreciate it. jacy.
eKim says
“You ARE today where your thoughts and actions have brought you; you WILL BE tomorrow where your thoughts and actions take you.”
What a great quote!
Claude says
Interesting article.
I’ve noticed that the most successful people are often the ones who are the most focused – they tend to put all their energy towards one “thing.”
For me, being successful means having a balanced lifestyle – being able to priorities work, family, friends, entertainment, volunteering, travelling, learning, etc.
Autumn Rinaldi says
Thank you! Sometimes the truth is hard to deal with… but this post helps.
Brian says
Thanks Marc. Another great post and a reminder that giving up all those things leave you room to engage with life in a way that will create success.
Nathalie Brooke says
Thank you for posting this. Will practice! Will try!
Nina says
Thank you! I especially like #5, giving up entitlement. We can be very spoiled sometimes–especially while receiving services. It’s not all about us sometimes!
Jerry Hislip says
Thank you for your positive insight on life and success. It sure helps to keep my thinking from being stinking thinking! Bless You Both.
Ani Todd Smith says
Thank you!!! As always…
Nikki says
“Give up the habit of waiting.” This is absolutely what I need to work on the most. Thank you for this post! It brought that to the front of my mind!
Jo-Anne says
Very true. Some people spend their lives being a victim and it gets them nowhere. And sadly some of the same people endlessly wait for success to come knocking on their door, and of course that doesn’t happen either…
Edet Umo says
Thanks for another compass. The message is just my need for the month of June as I have so many things to face, but my yesterday’s unfinished role keep on reflecting. Thanks for the proper way to handle the past while facing the future.
Unique-Me says
I recently subscribed to your posts and they are exactly what I need right now. I am making it a priority to be the best I can be and embrace the unique person I am. #3 and #9 are ones I really need to work on. Thank you for all your great posts; I look forward to reading them everyday. I also bookmark the blogs that I need to refer back to when I find myself getting “trapped” in past thoughts and behaviors. I love this site! Keep up helping all of us who need your words of truth and encouragement.
Marc says
@J Story: Excellent points on SMART goals. We’ve discussed that before in detail in the post 12 Things Successful People Do Differently.
@Claudia: It’s a gradual process. But think of this: In life, you are either making decisions or you are making excuses. It’s one or the other – decisions or excuses. Make decisions, always.
@Claude: No doubt, being successful means different things to different people. But one principle remains universal: Focusing on what’s truly important to YOU and those you love.
@All: As always, thanks for making Angel and I smile with your kind remarks. And thanks for all the added insight. Keep sharing your ideas and tips with us. We appreciate it.
Jocelyn says
thank you for giving me inspiration everyday. you guys rock! x
Helen says
Inspirational.. Thank you very much!
Duru says
This is a great list that can serve as a daily reminder for us all on how to cut the &*%^ and become more successful. Implementing is of course the challenge!
Karen says
Great ideas here and in 12 Things Successful People Do Differently. Added this site to my favorites!
Greg says
v.v.very cool! Where from you come up with the incredible inspirations for all these articles? Amazing! 🙂
Rasha says
Thanks Marc! Truly inspiring!
Kimbundance says
Truly wonderful tips. I enjoyed these very much.
Angi says
I have been subscribed to you since January this year, your words are so wise and always seem to come at precisely the right time. Please write a book, we need it in our lives!
SANCHARI BAKSHI says
🙂 Thank you Marc, it is beautifully inspiring.
John Paton says
Thanks a lot. Great advice!
Abdul Rauf says
Wow. Wow. Wow. I have never ever found such beautiful post filled with positive thoughts and practical examples. Such a master-piece. Thank you so so very much.
Kimbundance says
I like that you mention here give up the habit of waiting. How True is that, yes indeed action is needed to get to our goals.
Mike Park says
I’ve been making an effort to destroy the inner perfectionist. My mother constantly criticized me for all the tiny mistakes, so I built up this pattern of always judging myself, always trying to be perfect.
Now I’m giving myself permission to be reckless, my only criteria for success is that I take action, regardless of whether or not it is “perfect” or not
Adeleye Emmanuel says
My day does not seem complete without a visit to this site. Articles are always superbly written, timely and precisely on point. Marc and Angel, thank you so much…
Mansawi says
Best site I ever visited. Such positive thoughts. I have learned so much in here. Keep it up.
Rhea says
Thanks for reminding these important principles I usually forget. Bless you guys
Michael Hidalgo says
I love you guys and all your inspiration, You are making this world a better place!
Love,
Michael Hidalgo
Alison Soroka says
I would like to share this article “10 Things You Must Give Up to Be Successful” on my organization’s FB Page; however, I don’t see a FB link. Can you assist me?
Thanks with kind regards,
Alison Soroka
Mighty Mo says
Great article, love the words of encouragement. How you view life comes from within and the choice is pretty much ours. I for one will be positive about my present and future. This has given me the right sort of mental frame for today. THANKS!
Tyre says
Thanks this was great and i gained a lot of confidence and wisdom from this – time to take full control of my life.
Manuel G says
This advice helped me and my peers very much, thank you for your time of creating this useful list, you should president!! ;D thank you.
Paul says
Where is “give up guilt”?
I read what you’ve written and it seems you’re leaving the door open for guilt.
No. 10 says “give up blaming everyone else.” It doesn’t say “give up blaming.” For many of us, taking responsiblility involves the self-blame that is better called guilt. And you don’t seem to see anything unhealthy about that.
Please help me understand here.