If you genuinely want to improve yourself, say goodbye to these 8 habits

I’ve learned that improving myself isn’t just about picking up good habits—it’s also about letting go of the bad ones.

Some habits can quietly hold us back, making it harder to grow, even when we think we’re doing everything right.

The truth is, real self-improvement takes honesty. It means recognizing the things that no longer serve us and having the courage to say goodbye to them.

If you genuinely want to become a better version of yourself, it’s time to let go of these 8 habits.

1) Making excuses

We all do it sometimes. Life gets busy, things don’t go as planned, and it’s easy to find reasons why we couldn’t follow through.

But the truth is, making excuses keeps us stuck. It shifts responsibility away from us and onto circumstances, other people, or bad luck.

If you genuinely want to improve yourself, you have to own your actions. That means admitting when you’ve fallen short and focusing on what you can do differently next time.

Growth starts when excuses stop.

2) Fearing failure

For the longest time, I avoided trying new things unless I was sure I’d be good at them. I told myself I just wasn’t a “natural” at certain skills, so why bother?

But the truth was, I wasn’t afraid of being bad—I was afraid of failing. And that fear kept me stuck.

The moment I started seeing failure as feedback instead of a dead end, everything changed. I took more risks, learned faster, and grew in ways I never thought possible.

If you want to improve yourself, stop fearing failure. It’s not the opposite of success—it’s part of the process.

3) Seeking perfection

Perfectionism might seem like a good thing, but it often does more harm than good. Studies have shown that perfectionists are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, and even depression.

The problem is, perfection is impossible. No matter how much you plan or prepare, there will always be room for improvement. And chasing an unattainable standard can leave you feeling frustrated and stuck.

Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on progress. Small, consistent improvements will get you much further than waiting for the “perfect” moment to take action.

4) Clinging to control

Buddhism teaches that attachment is one of the biggest sources of suffering. The more we try to control everything—our circumstances, other people, even the future—the more frustrated and anxious we become.

Letting go of control doesn’t mean giving up. It means accepting that uncertainty is a natural part of life and learning to adapt instead of resist.

In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I explore how Buddhist wisdom can help us stop clinging to things we can’t change and focus on what truly matters.

Real growth happens when we stop forcing outcomes and start flowing with life as it unfolds.

5) Comparing yourself to others

It’s exhausting to always feel like you’re falling behind. No matter how much you achieve, there’s always someone doing more, achieving faster, or making it look easier.

The worst part is that comparison doesn’t just steal joy—it steals focus. Instead of working on your own growth, you waste energy measuring yourself against someone else’s path.

The only person you should compare yourself to is who you were yesterday. If you’re improving, even in small ways, that’s all that really matters.

6) Setting too many goals

It sounds productive to have a long list of goals, but in reality, it can do more harm than good. When you try to improve everything at once, your energy gets scattered, and progress slows down.

Focusing on fewer goals with more intention leads to better results. When you channel your effort into one or two meaningful changes, you’re more likely to follow through and see real growth.

Improving yourself isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things with consistency.

7) Avoiding discomfort

Growth doesn’t happen inside your comfort zone. Yet, it’s tempting to stick with what feels safe and familiar, even when we know we need to push ourselves further.

Discomfort is a sign that you’re stretching beyond your limits. Whether it’s having a difficult conversation, learning a new skill, or facing a fear, these moments of discomfort are where real change happens.

If you want to improve yourself, stop running from discomfort—lean into it. It’s not a barrier; it’s the path forward.

8) Waiting for motivation

If you rely on motivation to take action, you’ll always be stuck in the cycle of starting and stopping. Motivation is unreliable—it comes and goes, and waiting for it means you’ll never be consistent.

Discipline is what creates real change. Taking action even when you don’t feel like it is what separates those who improve from those who stay the same.

Stop waiting to feel ready. Do it anyway.

Bottom line: growth is a choice

Self-improvement isn’t about adding more to your life—it’s about letting go of what holds you back. The habits we cling to, often without realizing it, can quietly shape our reality, keeping us stuck in patterns that no longer serve us.

Understanding this is the first step. The next step is action. In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I explore how ancient wisdom can help us detach from limiting beliefs and step into a life of true growth and fulfillment.

At the end of the day, self-improvement isn’t something that just happens—it’s a choice we make, over and over again. Letting go isn’t always easy, but it’s the only way to make space for something better.