5 subtle behaviors of people who will never be successful in life (according to psych experts)

From the Personal Branding Blog

I’ve often wondered why some people never quite reach their full potential, even when they seem to have everything going for them. What I’ve learned is that success isn’t just about talent or hard work—it’s also about mindset and the little habits we often overlook.

Basically, success leaves clues, but so does a lack of it. While we tend to focus on the actions of successful people, it’s just as important to recognize the subtle behaviors that can quietly sabotage someone’s chances of achieving their goals.

Today, we’re diving into five of these subtle behaviors. If you can spot them, you’ll be better equipped to avoid these traps—and maybe even help others do the same.

Let’s get started.

1) Perfectionism

I’ll admit it—perfectionism is something I’ve struggled with for years.

There have been so many times I’ve delayed launching a project or completing a task because I was waiting for everything to be just right. In my mind, I was aiming for excellence, but what I didn’t realize at the time was that this perfectionist mindset was actually holding me back.

While perfectionism might seem admirable on the surface, it’s a double-edged sword. According to experts, it’s often tied to procrastination, burnout, and even depression. Hardly a recipe for success, right?

Instead of moving forward with progress, perfectionists often end up stuck, overwhelmed by unrealistic expectations or fearful of making mistakes.

The key is learning to embrace “good enough.” It doesn’t mean settling for mediocrity; it means recognizing that progress matters more than perfection.

2) Fear of change

Success is all about growth, and growth inevitably involves change.

But not everyone is comfortable with change. In fact, some people are terrified of it. This fear of change can be a major stumbling block on the road to success.

Change is often perceived as risky or uncertain, and this can trigger feelings of anxiety. It’s easier to stay with what’s familiar, even if it’s not ideal, than to venture into the unknown.

However, this fear of change can limit your opportunities and prevent you from taking the necessary steps to achieve your goals.

If you find yourself resisting change, it’s time to take a hard look at your behaviors. Are they serving you, or are they holding you back?

3) Lack of clear goals

Imagine embarking on a journey without a destination in mind. You’d probably end up wandering aimlessly, not really getting anywhere.

The same applies to your path to success. As bestselling author Tony Robbins said, “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” Without goals, it’s easy to drift along, reacting to life rather than proactively shaping it.

Socio-economist Randall Bell, who has studied success for over 20 years, backs this up. He has noted, “Those who maintain both a calendar and to-do list are 289 percent more likely to be millionaires, as compared with those who have no real set schedule,”. Yes, 289%!

Goals give you a sense of direction and purpose. They help you focus your energy on what’s truly important to you. And they provide a roadmap for where you want to go and how you plan to get there.

4) Fear of failure

So, let’s say you have a big idea, a goal you’ve been thinking about for ages, but every time you’re about to take action, that little voice of doubt creeps in: What if it doesn’t work out? What if I fail?

Sound familiar?

Fear of failure can be paralyzing. It’s one of the biggest reasons people never go after what they truly want. Instead of taking the leap, they stay in their comfort zone, avoiding the risk of falling short. The problem is, avoiding failure means you’re also avoiding growth, learning, and ultimately, success.

As Albert Einstein famously said, “Failure is success in progress.” Every failure teaches you something valuable, and it’s often the stepping stone to achieving your goals. If you’re too afraid to fail, you’ll miss out on the lessons that are essential for long-term success.

Instead of fearing failure, embrace it as part of the journey. The real failure is in not trying at all.

5) Neglecting the importance of constant learning

Last but definitely not least, successful people never stop learning.

Take Bill Gates, for example—he reads 50 books a year. It’s no coincidence that one of the most successful people in the world makes learning a priority. Constant learning keeps your mind sharp, exposes you to new ideas, and helps you adapt to the ever-changing world around you.

And this isn’t just a personal theory—it’s well backed up by research. Dr. Bell,  also found that “those who read seven or more books per year are more than 122 percent more likely to be millionaires as opposed to those who never read or only read one to three [books].”

In addition, the World Economic Forum ranked curiosity and lifelong learning as among the most important skills for workers in its Future of Jobs Report 2023.

The point is if you’re neglecting opportunities to grow your knowledge; you’re limiting your potential.

Whether it’s through books, courses, or even podcasts, making a habit of learning is one of the most powerful things you can do to ensure long-term success. The key is to stay curious and always be open to new perspectives and skills.

Final thoughts: The power is in your hands

I hope this post has been helpful in shedding light on the behaviors that might be holding you back.

In summary, success is shaped not just by what we do, but by what we avoid doing.

Fear of change, perfectionism, lack of clear goals, fear of failure, and neglecting lifelong learning are all subtle behaviors that can quietly undermine our potential.

The good news is that once you recognize these habits, you can take steps to overcome them. By taking action and making small shifts in your mindset and habits, you can put yourself on a path to achieving the success you’re capable of.

Now, it’s up to you—what will you work on first?

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