Disciplined people know how to use their time wisely, steering clear of activities that waste time and could harm their success and well-being. Here are 18 things they avoid to keep productive and balanced.
Procrastination
Disciplined people don’t put off important tasks for later – they plan their tasks beforehand and stick to their schedules, so they deliver what they promise. They also know how to prioritize, which helps them tackle the most important things first and the least important things last.
Unproductive Meetings
Golden Steps reports that over 15 hours are wasted on meetings in the workplace per week. Disciplined people know better and never waste their time in meetings that have no clear purpose or agenda. They do their best to avoid these meetings, and even when they attend them, they either find something productive to do during that time or try to be as efficient as possible.
Impulse Buying
Imagine spending your hard-earned money on silly little items that you saw in a Facebook ad. This is something disciplined people don’t engage in, and therefore, they save their money for more important purchases that actually add value to their lives. We should all be a little bit more mindful about how we spend.
Ignoring Feedback
Feedback is how we grow, as we can rarely see ourselves objectively, just like other people can. When a disciplined person receives feedback, they don’t think of it as a personal attack but instead as an opportunity to learn and improve their skills and performance.
Multitasking
Many think that multitasking is a good thing, but LifeSpan says that it might not always be the best approach. Organized people already know this, which is why they focus on one task at a time to ensure quality work. As they say, you can’t serve two masters at once.
Overcommitting
It might seem like the right thing to do to commit to more things than you can handle. However, in the long term, this only results in disappointment as you won’t be able to deliver the work, or at the very least, you’ll deliver low-quality work. A truly disciplined person knows when to say no to avoid burnout and stress.
Idle Gossip
Gossip can be fun sometimes, but it is surely not a productive way to spend your time. Instead of engaging in gossip, focus on more meaningful conversations that add value to your life or to the lives of others.
Perfectionism
Seeking perfectionism seems like a good thing, but in reality, it only leads to inaction. Disciplined people know that this is a waste of time and instead focus on getting started, and that’s how they get perfect. They’re also more accepting of the fact that mistakes are normal and are, therefore, able to learn from them.
Watching TV Excessively
While watching TV is extremely entertaining, it’s not the best way to spend a bigger part of your day. Why not try scheduling some alternative leisure activities that are more productive and good for your body and soul? You could try a sport, a craft-making class, or even volunteering at a local charity.
Negative Thinking
Negative thinking is one of the least productive ways one can spend one’s time. This is why people who want to improve themselves focus on more positive self-talk and maintain a growth mindset. Forbes defines a growth mindset as “one in a constant state of flux and at work improving, expanding and honing all inherent talents and gifts, as well as adding to and improving those acquired along the way.”
Complaining
There’s no point in complaining about situations that can’t be changed, and if a situation can be changed, then why not focus on doing so instead of talking about it? Of course, you’re allowed to vent, but it shouldn’t be the focus of your effort. Disciplined people don’t waste time complaining about circumstances.
Disorganization
Regular decluttering helps us maintain a productive environment. Disciplined people maximize their productivity and avoid the chaos that comes with disorganization. You rarely find their spaces filled with clutter, which is one of the reasons they’re able to stay ahead of everyone.
Comparing Themselves to Others
A person with good discipline never wastes time comparing their life to that of others. Instead, they focus on their own progress and achievements. They set personal goals and work hard to reach them. In fact, they’re usually happy when the people around them achieve their dreams and might even find motivation when it happens.
Dwelling on the Past
Disciplined people don’t let past failures define their current actions. They focus on learning from past experiences and moving forward. This helps them not repeat mistakes, which is why many of them seem like they have it all together, even though they don’t.
Social Media Scrolling
According to Data Reportal, the average adult spends about 2.5 hours scrolling through social media. Even though this is the norm, people who value their time don’t follow this trend. They use their digital devices for more productive things, such as learning new skills or watching educational content.
Overthinking
Overthinking has never helped anyone achieve more; it wastes time overanalyzing situations when you could be taking action. Many successful people set time limits for decision-making to avoid getting stuck on one stage for too long.
Neglecting Self-Care
When most people think of self-care, they think about vanity. However, self-care is not just about taking care of how you look; it also includes practicing mindfulness and stress management, which are essential for good mental health. Another key factor of self-care is a good work-life balance.
Unhealthy Habits
Disciplined people prioritize their physical and mental well-being. They eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. They avoid activities that harm their health, such as smoking, drinking too much, or eating junk food. This takes years of practice, so you shouldn’t feel bad if you find yourself falling off the wagon.
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