Success doesn’t always come down to talent or luck—sometimes people hold themselves back without even realising it.
The most damaging habits aren’t always majorly obvious self-sabotage moves. They’re the subtler behaviours that inevitably destroy momentum, confidence, or follow-through—the kind of things that feel harmless in the moment but end up keeping someone stuck for years. If someone’s always almost getting there but never quite does, chances are, a few of these are playing a part.
1. Waiting for motivation to kick in
Lots of people say they’ll start once they feel inspired or ready, but that day doesn’t always come. They end up putting things off, hoping that the right mood will magically show up and carry them to the finish line. Success usually doesn’t wait for feelings. It shows up when you do, even on the days you’re tired, distracted, or doubting yourself. Relying on motivation keeps people stuck in prep mode instead of taking imperfect action.
2. Overthinking every single step
Planning is great until it becomes a way of avoiding action. Some people get so wrapped up in details and hypotheticals that they never actually start. They convince themselves they’re being thorough, but really, they’re just stalling. The truth is, you’ll never have every answer up front. You figure things out by doing, not by endlessly turning them over in your head. Overthinking might feel safe, but it rarely leads to momentum.
3. Avoiding anything that feels uncomfortable
Growth always has some discomfort in it, whether it’s putting yourself out there, learning something new, or taking feedback. However, if someone constantly avoids anything that feels awkward or risky, they end up playing small without realising it.
Comfort zones are easy, but they don’t stretch you. The people who succeed aren’t fearless; they just push through the cringe moments instead of running from them. You’ve got to be willing to feel a bit exposed if you want bigger results.
4. Needing constant validation
There’s nothing wrong with wanting encouragement, but needing approval before every decision can turn into a roadblock. Some people end up chasing reassurance instead of making real moves toward their goals. When you rely too much on other people to feel confident, you end up outsourcing your power. At some point, you have to back yourself, even if no one’s clapping yet. Waiting for permission keeps dreams in neutral.
5. Blaming circumstances instead of adapting
Life gets in the way sometimes, and that’s normal. However, some people get stuck in a loop of blaming their job, their schedule, the economy, or whatever’s going wrong that week. It becomes the go-to excuse for why nothing’s moving forward.
The tough truth? Conditions are rarely perfect. The people who make it work are the ones who adjust, pivot, and find another way. It’s not always fair, but it is reality, and growth happens when you stop pointing fingers and start problem-solving.
6. Comparing themselves to everyone else
Success starts to feel unreachable when you’re constantly stacking your progress against someone else’s highlight reel. Some people spend so much time watching other people that they lose track of what they’re actually trying to build for themselves. The problem with comparison is that it never ends. There’s always someone doing more, faster, better. Focusing on your lane, even if it’s slower or messier, is the only way to make real, meaningful progress.
7. Always needing things to be perfect
Perfectionism might sound like a strength, but it’s usually just fear in disguise. People wait until everything’s flawless—the timing, the design, the wording—and by the time they feel ready, the moment’s passed. Most successful people put out version one and improve as they go. Waiting until it’s perfect keeps your work in drafts, your ideas in your head, and your plans on pause. Done will always beat perfect.
8. Not following through consistently
Some people start strong but fizzle out quickly. They’ve got great ideas, solid beginnings, but they struggle to finish what they start. It’s not laziness; it’s a mix of boredom, distraction, and self-doubt creeping in partway through. Success isn’t built on occasional bursts of effort. It comes from showing up even when the spark fades. The people who win aren’t always the most talented. They’re just the ones who kept going when it got boring or hard.
9. Surrounding themselves with the wrong voices
If everyone around you is negative, risk-averse, or secretly rooting against you, it starts to wear you down. Some people stay stuck because they’re constantly hearing doubts and limits from the people closest to them. You don’t need a cheerleading squad, but you do need people who believe in growth. If you’re always explaining your ambition or dimming your ideas to fit in, it might be time to change the room instead of shrinking in it.
10. Telling themselves they’re “just not that kind of person”
Labels are powerful. When someone says, “I’m not creative,” or “I’m not good at that,” they’re not describing reality; they’re reinforcing a story that keeps them stuck exactly where they are. Success often requires becoming someone new. Not fake, just evolved. If you want something you’ve never had, you’re going to have to do things your current identity isn’t comfortable with yet. That’s not a problem—that’s growth.
11. Thinking too small, too early
Some people play it safe from the start. They keep their goals tiny and their ideas quiet, thinking it’ll protect them from failure. However, what it usually does is keep them in a cycle of low returns and low confidence. You don’t have to shout from rooftops, but thinking bigger opens doors you didn’t even know were there. Playing small might feel safer, but it also means settling, and long term, that eats away at your drive.
12. Being scared to ask for help
Whether it’s pride, fear of looking weak, or just not knowing who to ask, a lot of people stall out because they’re trying to do everything alone. It’s admirable, but it’s also limiting. Asking for help isn’t failure, it’s strategy. Whether it’s advice, feedback, or just accountability, success gets a lot more realistic when you stop treating it like a solo mission.
13. Constantly jumping to the next new thing
Shiny object syndrome is real. Some people get excited about every new idea, tool, or opportunity, but never stick with anything long enough to see results. It feels productive, but it’s actually just distraction dressed up as ambition. Success usually comes from depth, not just variety. If you’re always restarting, you never get to the stage where things compound. Stick with something long enough to get past the awkward middle. That’s where things start to click.
