7 “good” habits that feel productive but are actually holding you back in life

I used to pride myself on being the person who always ticked every box.

I clung to routines, obsessed over efficiency, and tried to be everything to everyone.

But one day it hit me: these so-called “good” habits were secretly draining my energy and blocking genuine growth.

Below, I’ll share 7 habits I once believed made me more successful, but actually slowed my progress.

Take a moment to see if any of these resonate with you. Sometimes, letting go of certain habits can free you up to chase your real goals with clarity and intention.

1. Overplanning your day

It’s great to be organized, but there’s a fine line between planning and micromanaging every minute of your schedule.

I’d outline my entire day down to the smallest task — then feel anxious whenever life threw a curveball.

Ironically, the constant push to stick to my plan left me too stressed to adapt or enjoy any spontaneous opportunities.

Routines can help you stay focused, but rigid overplanning can limit creativity and create burnout. Leaving a bit of white space in your day can sometimes produce better results than packing your schedule to the brim.

2. Saying “yes” to everything

For a long time, I believed the key to success was never turning anyone down. I’d say yes to after-work events, extra volunteer projects, and every new idea that came my way.

I thought I was being open and ambitious.

However, each additional commitment stole time from my personal goals and mental health.

I’d be so overwhelmed that I couldn’t give my best to any task, let alone the ones that truly mattered. Learning to say “no” became an act of self-respect, rather than selfishness.

3. Always trying to be “nice”

Don’t get me wrong — kindness is powerful.

But when being “nice” means avoiding any form of disagreement or never expressing your needs, it becomes a problem.

I used to apologize constantly and downplay my own feelings to keep the peace, thinking it made me a better person.

Eventually, I recognized how this habit eroded my self-esteem.

I also discovered Ruda Iande’s “Free Your Mind” masterclass around this time.

He addresses how people-pleasing and the constant urge to be liked can trap us in limiting beliefs, like “I must never upset anyone.”

One of Ruda’s exercises challenged me to voice a strong opinion — without apologizing. It felt awkward at first, but it was a turning point.

I saw how being honest and respectful could still honor my values while freeing me from the pressure to tiptoe around everyone else’s expectations.

4. Obsessing over self-improvement

Personal growth is a lifelong journey, but I reached a point where I was devouring every book, podcast, and webinar I could find — without actually putting any insights into practice.

I was chasing quick fixes and hopping from one hack to the next, convinced the next resource would be “the one.”

Constantly seeking new methods left me stuck in a loop of perpetual learning, never truly implementing or integrating any of it.

It was only when I paused, chose a couple of strategies to focus on, and took consistent steps that I finally saw real transformation.

5. Relying on multitasking

We often see multitasking as a symbol of efficiency—doing more things at once must be better, right?

But multitasking splits your attention, leading to mistakes and shallow engagement.

In my case, it meant I rarely completed any task to my full potential.

I discovered that focusing intensely on a single activity allowed me to finish faster and with higher quality.

Letting go of the desire to juggle everything freed up my mental space and reduced the lingering stress I felt at the end of each day.

6. Aiming for perpetual positivity

There was a time when I believed a successful person was always cheerful, never letting negativity creep in. I’d gloss over my worries, telling myself to “think positive” rather than facing them head-on.

However, pushing away uncomfortable feelings can make them grow in silence.

Genuine emotional health involves acknowledging ups and downs.

When I finally admitted, “I’m having a rough time,” it opened the door to real solutions and deeper self-compassion.

7. Equating busyness with importance

I used to wear my packed calendar like a badge of honor, convinced it meant I was doing well in life. But constantly rushing from one thing to another left me exhausted, disconnected, and with little sense of fulfillment.

Sometimes, taking on less gives you the mental and emotional space to do things better.

When I realized “busy” didn’t necessarily mean “productive,” I finally found moments of genuine presence with family, friends, and my own thoughts.

Conclusion

At first glance, these habits can seem harmless—if not downright beneficial. But when they dominate your life, they can form invisible barriers to real growth and fulfillment.

If this resonates and you want to dig deeper into what truly drives your behaviors and choices, I recommend checking out Ruda Iande’s “Free Your Mind” masterclass I mentioned earlier.

It gave me the tools to question my engrained patterns, so much so that I later enrolled in Ruda’s Out of the Box course to continue exploring my personal power.

Remember: letting go of certain “good” habits isn’t a failure.

It’s an invitation to align your actions with your true priorities, creating the space you need to grow in a more authentic and fulfilling way.