8 habits of unsuccessful people who always get left behind by their peers, according to psychology

If someone’s always late, they’re probably disorganized. If they’re constantly complaining, they’re likely unsatisfied.

That’s Psychology 101.

But, it’s not always this straightforward. The human psyche is a labyrinth that needs deciphering to fully understand why some people constantly lag behind others.

I’ve observed, however, that these individuals often exhibit 8 common habits. And I’m going to share them with you.

This is the intro to “8 habits of unsuccessful people who always get left behind by their peers, according to psychology”.

Get ready to delve into the psychological reasons behind why some people just can’t keep up.

1) Procrastination

Now isn’t that a nasty habit?

We’ve all been there, pushing tasks back until the last possible moment. But for some people, procrastination isn’t just an occasional thing, it’s a chronic issue.

Those who constantly put off their responsibilities often find themselves playing catch-up with their peers.

They’re stuck in a cycle of stress and anxiety, always feeling like they’re lagging behind because, well, they are.

Chronic procrastinators struggle with self-regulation.

They find it hard to prioritize tasks and manage their time effectively, resulting in missed deadlines and broken promises.

If you often find yourself saying “I’ll do it later,” only to be overwhelmed when later comes around, you might be stuck in the procrastination trap.

Don’t worry though, it’s not a life sentence. Recognizing the problem is already half the battle won. The other half? Well, we’ll get to that.

2) Avoiding feedback

Here’s a personal story for you.

Back in my early career days, I had a colleague, let’s call him Jack. Jack never took criticism well. Any form of feedback was met with resistance, defensiveness, or outright denial.

Jack was smart and talented, but this habit of avoiding feedback stunted his growth.

He couldn’t see his mistakes clearly and, as a result, never made the necessary improvements.

This is a common trait among unsuccessful people.

They see feedback as a personal attack rather than an opportunity for growth. They stick their heads in the sand, hoping problems will go away on their own.

But here’s the thing – they don’t.

In contrast, those who are open to feedback and willing to make changes are the ones who continually progress and succeed.

If you find yourself shying away from constructive criticism, it might be time to ask yourself why.

3) Fear of failure

Did you know that Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before he finally invented the light bulb? His persistence paid off, and he’s now considered one of the greatest inventors in history.

Not everyone, however, is like Edison. Some people are so afraid of failing that they never even try.

They stay in their comfort zones, never venturing out to explore new opportunities or take risks.

This fear of failure keeps them stuck, unable to progress or achieve their goals. They’re always left behind by their peers who are willing to take chances and learn from their mistakes.

Failure is not the end of the road. It’s just a stepping stone to success.

If you’re scared of failing, it’s worth asking yourself what you could achieve if you were willing to risk a few stumbles along the way.

4) Negativity

Let’s talk about negativity.

It’s like a dark cloud that follows you around, casting a shadow over everything you do.

People who harbour constant negativity often struggle to see the good in situations and focus solely on the bad.

They complain more, criticize more and are generally less pleasant to be around.

This negative outlook can hinder progress, strain relationships, and result in missed opportunities.

Our thoughts have a significant impact on our actions. If you’re always thinking negatively, your actions will mirror that, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

If you ever find yourself being overly critical or pessimistic, it might be time to work on cultivating a more positive mindset. It’s not an easy task, but trust me, it’s worth it.

5) Lack of discipline

I believe discipline is the backbone of success. It’s what keeps us on track, helps us set goals, and pushes us to achieve them. Without it, we’re like a ship without a rudder, just drifting aimlessly.

I’ve seen many people struggle due to a lack of discipline.

They start projects with enthusiasm but lose steam halfway through. They make promises they don’t keep and set goals they never achieve.

Discipline is a learned behavior. It’s about developing good habits and sticking to them, even when we don’t feel like it.

If you’re someone who struggles with discipline, I encourage you to start small.

Make a commitment to yourself and stick to it. Trust me, the satisfaction of seeing it through is motivation enough to keep going.

6) Over-planning

Planning is essential, right? It helps us stay organized, manage our time, and reach our goals. But here’s a twist—there’s such a thing as over-planning.

Yes, you read that right. Some people spend so much time planning every detail that they never actually start.

They’re stuck in an endless loop of preparation, waiting for the ‘perfect’ time to take action.

Over-planners are often perfectionists who fear making mistakes. They believe that if they can plan everything perfectly, they can avoid failure.

But life is unpredictable, and no matter how much you plan, things can go awry.

The key is to plan enough to get started and then learn and adapt along the way. After all, a good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.

7) Ignoring health

Health is wealth. You’ve heard it, I’ve heard it. But not everyone truly understands the gravity of this saying.

People who often find themselves lagging behind tend to neglect their physical and mental health.

They prioritize work, social obligations, or even leisure activities over sleep, exercise, and a balanced diet.

However, ignoring health can lead to a multitude of problems including lack of energy, decreased focus, and even serious illnesses. It can stifle productivity and dampen motivation.

If you’re neglecting your health, you’re likely setting yourself up for failure in other areas of life as well.

Remember, taking care of your health isn’t selfish or a waste of time. It’s the foundation on which you can build success.

8) Not learning from mistakes

Mistakes are inevitable. They’re a part of life, a part of growth. But what separates successful people from those who get left behind is how they deal with these mistakes.

Unsuccessful people often repeat their mistakes, failing to learn or grow from them.

They either ignore them, blame others, or let them define their self-worth.

But mistakes aren’t failures—they’re lessons. Each mistake is an opportunity to learn something new, to improve, to become better.

Whenever you find yourself making the same errors over and over again, take a step back.

Analyze what went wrong and why. Then, take that knowledge and use it to make better decisions in the future.

Remember, it’s not about never making mistakes. It’s about never making the same mistake twice.

Final thoughts

As you navigate this journey called life, remember this: success is not a destination, it’s a journey.

It’s about growing, learning, and continually striving to be the best version of yourself.

The habits we’ve discussed are not a life sentence.

They’re simply patterns of behavior that you have the power to change.

If you recognize any of these traits in yourself, don’t despair.

Self-awareness is the first step towards change.

In the words of Maya Angelou, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

Take this knowledge, reflect on it, and use it as a stepping stone towards your personal growth.

After all, it’s your journey. Make it count.