5 habits you don’t realize are actually counterproductive (and holding you back)

Have you ever felt like you’re working hard but not making the progress you want?

I’ve been there, and I know how frustrating it can be.

As the founder of Hack Spirit, I’ve spent years diving deep into personal development, trying to unlock the secrets to greater productivity and success. And what I’ve learned is that often, it’s not just about what we’re doing—it’s about the habits we don’t even realize are holding us back.

Some of these habits might seem harmless or even helpful at first glance. But they can actually be stealthy productivity killers, sabotaging your efforts without you even noticing.

The good news?

Once you recognize them, you can make simple shifts to get back on track. Today, I’m sharing five habits that could be quietly slowing you down—and what to do instead.

Let’s break them down and get you moving forward again.

1) Multitasking

Believe it or not, multitasking is a myth.

We often think of juggling multiple tasks at once as an efficient way to get things done. But the reality?

Not so much.

Research has shown that our brains aren’t designed to handle multiple tasks at once. Instead, when we multitask, we’re actually just rapidly switching between tasks.

Some experts suggest that this reduces productivity by up to 40%. Yes, 40%!

And that’s not all. Multitasking can also lead to mistakes, as our attention is divided among too many things.

Next time you’re tempted to check your emails while on a conference call and eating lunch, remember this: it’s more efficient and effective to focus on one task at a time.

2) Skipping breaks

Now, this is a habit I’ve personally struggled with.

In my role, there’s always something to do – be it managing the team, writing articles, or planning future strategies. In the hustle and bustle, I often found myself skipping breaks to ‘save time’.

But here’s the thing: skipping breaks doesn’t actually save time. In fact, it hampers productivity.

Our brains aren’t machines; they need time to rest and recharge. Studies suggest that we can concentrate for no longer than 90 minutes.

So I started scheduling short breaks every hour – a 5-minute stretch, a quick stroll, even just stepping away from the screen to enjoy a cup of tea. The result?

I found myself feeling more refreshed and focused, and my productivity soared.

You might just, too.

3) Neglecting self-care

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to put off self-care. We may think of it as a luxury, not a necessity.

However, neglecting self-care is a counterproductive habit that holds us back.

According to experts, self-care is crucial for our mental and physical health. As noted by those at Choosing Therapy, it helps reduce stress, improve our mood, and crucially boost productivity.

Basically, when we’re feeling our best, we’re more capable of tackling challenges and achieving our goals.

I learned this lesson the hard way. For a long time, I used to push through my workdays, telling myself that skipping meals or working late into the night was just part of the hustle. But eventually, it caught up with me—I started feeling burned out, less focused, and even less motivated to keep going.

It wasn’t until I made self-care a priority—by sticking to a sleep schedule, taking regular breaks, and making time for exercise—that I noticed a real shift. My energy returned, my focus improved, and I was able to get more done in less time.

Self-care isn’t just about taking a spa day or going on a vacation (although those can certainly help). It can be as simple as ensuring you get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and take time each day to relax and unwind.

You can’t pour from an empty cup; take care of yourself first.

4) Accepting only “perfection”

Do you ever find yourself reworking something over and over again, waiting for it to be “just right” before moving forward?

Perfectionism might sound like a good thing on the surface, but in reality, it’s a trap. As noted by experts, perfectionism is closely linked to procrastination—and we all know that procrastination is a massive productivity killer.

When we get stuck in the pursuit of perfection, we’re often delaying the completion of tasks, or even worse, not finishing them at all. This constant need to perfect every detail can drain our time and energy, leaving us stuck in a loop of endless tweaking.

So, how can we break free from this?

The key is learning to embrace “good enough.”

Instead of aiming for perfection, aim for progress. Set realistic goals, and remind yourself that most tasks don’t require flawless execution—they just need to get done. By shifting your mindset, you’ll find yourself completing projects faster, with less stress, and still achieving great results.

Remember, done is better than perfect!

What’s one task you’re working on right now that you can move forward with today, even if it’s not “perfect”?

5) Always saying “yes”

It may seem counter-intuitive, but always saying “yes” can actually be holding you back.

We often feel the need to please others, take on more tasks, and seize every opportunity that comes our way. But stretching ourselves too thin can lead to burnout, stress, and decreased productivity.

It’s important to remember that it’s okay to say “no” sometimes. Setting boundaries and prioritizing our time allows us to focus on what really matters.

By saying “no” more often, we can prevent over-commitment and ensure we have the time and energy to do our best work.

As psychology professor and author Adam Grant puts it, “Saying no frees you up to say yes when it matters most.”

In conclusion: It’s all about awareness and change

Our habits shape our lives in more ways than we often realize. They influence our productivity, our mental well-being, and even the way we perceive the world around us.

The first step towards change is awareness. Recognizing these counterproductive habits is half the battle won. The next step?

Taking actionable steps to replace them with healthier, more productive behaviors.

Whether it’s saying ‘no’ when necessary, prioritizing self-care, or embracing ‘good enough’, the key lies in making conscious choices that align with our goals and values.