7 daily habits of people who feel like they have no purpose or potential in life, according to psychology

For a good chunk of my life, I felt aimless. Like a boat adrift in the ocean, with no compass, no purpose.

Hi, I’m Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and a keen enthusiast of psychology.

I spent days feeling like an underachiever, constantly comparing myself to others. I was stuck in a rut of negativity and self-doubt.

My life was a catalogue of habits that reflected this inner turmoil. I had no clear direction and it felt like I was wasting my potential.

But then psychology came into the picture and shed light on these destructive daily habits. It was a revelation, and it changed my perspective entirely.

So here’s the deal: In this article, I’ll share with you the 7 daily habits of people who feel like they have no purpose or potential in life, according to psychology.

I hope this helps you as much as it helped me break free from the shackles of aimlessness.

Let’s dive in.

1) Overthinking

I used to be stuck in a loop of negative thoughts and self-doubt. It was like a broken record, playing the same tune over and over again in my head.

Psychology defines this as overthinking – the habit of dwelling on problems, mistakes, and dilemmas. It’s when your mind is constantly in overdrive, analyzing every detail of your life.

Overthinking was my biggest roadblock. I was always second-guessing myself, doubting my abilities, and worrying about what might happen in the future.

It kept me from moving forward and realizing my potential.

The first step to breaking this habit is awareness. Start noticing when you’re overthinking. Are you rehashing past mistakes? Are you imagining worst-case scenarios for the future?

Once you identify these patterns, you can begin to challenge them. Ask yourself if these thoughts are helpful or if they’re just keeping you stuck.

Remember, change starts with awareness. And breaking the cycle of overthinking was the first big step I took towards finding my purpose and potential.

2) Avoidance

For a long time, I ran away from life rather than facing it head-on. I avoided difficult situations, tough conversations, and uncomfortable feelings. I thought if I could just ignore these things, they would disappear.

But as renowned psychologist Carl Jung once said, “What you resist, persists.”

This avoidance was a daily habit that kept me from growing and learning. It was a safety net, but it was also a trap.

I remember vividly a job opportunity that came my way early on in my career. It was a chance to advance, but it also meant more responsibilities and challenges. Instead of taking it up, I shied away. I convinced myself I wasn’t ready or good enough.

In hindsight, it was avoidance at play.

Avoidance might provide temporary relief, but in the long run, it prevents us from confronting our fears and insecurities. It keeps us stuck in our comfort zones and impedes our growth.

The day I consciously decided to face my fears instead of avoiding them marked a significant turning point in my life. It enabled me to take risks, learn from my mistakes, and uncover my true potential.

3) Procrastination

Procrastination was another daily habit that held me back. I would always put things off until the last minute, telling myself there was plenty of time.

A classic example was my plan to start a fitness routine. I’d been meaning to get in shape, but I kept delaying it. There was always a tomorrow, a next week, or a next month.

But as days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, I found myself stuck in the same place. My health didn’t improve and neither did my self-esteem.

Procrastination is often a result of fear – fear of failure, fear of success, or even fear of change. It’s easier to put things off than to face these fears.

But the truth is, procrastination leads to missed opportunities and regrets.

The day I finally laced up my running shoes and hit the track despite my fears, was the day I took control of my life back from procrastination. It was tough initially, but with time, it got easier and I started seeing positive changes in my life.

The process taught me an invaluable lesson: Action is the antidote to fear and procrastination. The sooner we start confronting our fears and taking action, the quicker we can discover our purpose and potential.

4) Lack of self-care

One of the most common habits I noticed in myself and others who felt aimless was a lack of self-care. I wouldn’t prioritize my health, my sleep, or even my mental well-being.

I was under the false impression that these things didn’t matter much and that I would be fine just winging it. But boy, was I wrong.

A study conducted by the American Psychological Association found a strong link between self-care and overall life satisfaction.

The study revealed that individuals who prioritized self-care – be it regular exercise, balanced nutrition, ample sleep or mindfulness practices – reported higher levels of happiness and satisfaction in their lives.

When I came across this study, it was a wake-up call. I realized that by neglecting self-care, I was not only harming my physical health but also hurting my emotional well-being and potential for happiness.

So, I made a conscious decision to start taking care of myself – physically, emotionally and mentally. It was a game-changer. The more I started caring for myself, the better I started feeling about myself and my life.

So, remember: Self-care is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. It’s an essential part of finding purpose and potential in life.

5) Negative self-talk

I was my own worst critic. I constantly belittled myself with phrases like “I can’t do this” or “I’m not good enough”. This negative self-talk was a daily habit, and it was severely damaging my self-esteem and potential.

The problem with negative self-talk is that over time, we start believing these harmful narratives. We see ourselves through this distorted lens, and it affects our self-perception and our actions.

One day, I decided to consciously listen to my internal dialogue. I was shocked at how harsh I was towards myself. I realized that I would never speak to anyone else the way I spoke to myself.

So, I decided to change the narrative. Instead of beating myself up over mistakes, I started acknowledging them as learning opportunities. Instead of saying “I can’t”, I started saying “I’ll try”.

Changing this habit wasn’t easy, and it took time. But gradually, as the negative self-talk diminished, my confidence grew. I started seeing myself in a more positive light, and this opened up new possibilities and potential in my life.

6) Living in the past or future

I used to spend an awful lot of time dwelling on the past and worrying about the future. I was either stuck in regret over past mistakes or anxious about what was to come.

This habit kept me from fully engaging with the present moment, which is where life actually happens.

I remember an instance when I was so preoccupied with a work presentation for the next week that I barely enjoyed my best friend’s wedding. I was physically present, but mentally miles away.

The renowned psychologist Eckhart Tolle famously said, “Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”

These words struck a chord with me. They made me realize that by constantly living in the past or future, I was missing out on the beauty of now.

So, I made a conscious effort to stay present. To really engage with what was happening around me and to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

And it made a world of difference. By living in the present, I started finding joy in everyday moments and began to uncover my potential and purpose in life.

Remember, life is happening now. Don’t let it pass you by because you’re too caught up in the past or future.

7) Seeking constant comfort

Believe it or not, one of the habits that held me back was constantly seeking comfort. I always chose the easy path, the familiar routine, the safe option.

It sounds counterintuitive because comfort is usually associated with happiness. But here’s the thing: Constant comfort doesn’t lead to growth.

I realized this when I decided to take up public speaking – something I was deathly afraid of. The initial thought of standing in front of a crowd made me uncomfortable, but I pushed myself to do it anyway.

And guess what? It was one of the best decisions I ever made. Public speaking not only improved my communication skills but also boosted my confidence and helped me discover a part of myself I didn’t know existed.

Discomfort often leads us to growth because it pushes us out of our comfort zones and challenges us in ways that comfort never could.

So, here’s a practical tip: Do one thing every day that scares you or makes you uncomfortable. It could be as simple as speaking up in a meeting or trying a new workout.

By pushing your boundaries, you’ll discover new strengths and capabilities within yourself. Embrace discomfort, for it is often the path to growth and self-discovery.

Conclusion

Feeling like you have no purpose or potential in life can be tough. But remember, it’s often our daily habits that shape our lives.

Identify the habits that are holding you back and consciously work on changing them. It won’t happen overnight, but with consistency and commitment, you’ll start seeing positive changes.

And here’s a final piece of advice: Be kind to yourself during this process. Change is hard and there will be setbacks. But every small step forward is a victory. Celebrate those victories and keep going.

Life is too short to feel stuck or aimless. You have immense potential within you. It’s time to unleash it.