We all want to be more successful—whether it’s in our careers, relationships, or personal growth. But too often, we spend time on things that hold us back without even realizing it.
The truth is, success isn’t just about what you do; it’s also about what you stop doing. When you eliminate what’s draining your time and energy, you make room for the habits and decisions that actually move you forward.
If you’re serious about growing and achieving more, it’s time to let go of the things that are slowing you down. Here are eight things to stop wasting time on if you want to be more successful.
1) Waiting for the “perfect” moment
A lot of people waste years of their lives waiting for the perfect time to start something—whether it’s a business, a new habit, or a big life decision.
But here’s the truth: there is no perfect moment. There will always be obstacles, uncertainties, and reasons to delay. If you keep waiting for everything to be just right, you’ll never take action.
Successful people understand that progress comes from starting, not from waiting. They take imperfect action and adjust along the way.
So if you’ve been putting something off because you’re waiting for the stars to align, stop. The best time to start was yesterday. The second-best time is now.
2) Saying yes to everything
For a long time, I thought saying yes to every opportunity was the key to success. I didn’t want to miss out on anything, so I packed my schedule with meetings, side projects, and favors for other people.
But instead of getting ahead, I just felt exhausted and overwhelmed. My own priorities kept getting pushed aside because I was too busy helping everyone else with theirs.
Eventually, I realized that every time I said yes to something that didn’t truly serve me, I was saying no to something that did. Learning to set boundaries and prioritize what actually mattered made a huge difference in both my productivity and my peace of mind.
Success isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most. If you don’t protect your time, no one else will.
3) Trying to do everything yourself
Many people believe that doing everything on their own is a sign of strength. But in reality, the most successful people know that delegation and collaboration are key to growth.
In fact, research has shown that entrepreneurs who delegate effectively generate more revenue and experience faster growth than those who try to handle everything themselves.
Yet, so many people hesitate to ask for help because they fear losing control or appearing incapable.
The truth is, you can’t do it all—and you shouldn’t have to. Whether it’s outsourcing tasks, seeking advice, or simply trusting others to take the lead, letting go of the need to do everything yourself frees up your time and energy for what truly matters.
4) Obsessing over things you can’t control
Buddhism teaches that attachment is the root of suffering. Yet, many people spend countless hours stressing over things they have no power to change—other people’s opinions, unexpected setbacks, or even the past.
Letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means focusing your energy on what you can control: your actions, your mindset, and your response to challenges. This shift in perspective can be life-changing.
In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I explore how Buddhist principles can help you navigate life with more clarity and purpose.
When you stop wasting time on what’s outside your control, you free yourself to take meaningful action where it truly matters.
Success isn’t about forcing outcomes—it’s about mastering yourself.
5) Chasing perfection
For the longest time, I felt like nothing I did was ever good enough. Every project, every decision—it always seemed like there was something I could have done better. So instead of finishing things and moving forward, I kept tweaking, overthinking, and second-guessing myself.
But perfection is an illusion. No matter how much time you spend trying to make something flawless, there will always be room for improvement. And the irony is, the longer you chase perfection, the more opportunities you miss.
The most successful people understand that progress beats perfection every time. They put their work out into the world, learn from it, and keep going. If you wait until something is perfect, you’ll be waiting forever.
6) Setting too many goals
It sounds productive to have a long list of goals—lose weight, start a business, learn a new language, wake up at 5 AM every day. But the truth is, when you try to do everything at once, you end up accomplishing very little.
Success doesn’t come from spreading yourself thin. It comes from focusing on fewer things and doing them well. Research shows that people who concentrate on one or two key goals are far more likely to succeed than those juggling too many priorities at once.
Instead of chasing every ambition that crosses your mind, pick the one or two things that truly matter right now. Pour your energy into them, and you’ll make more progress than you ever did trying to do it all.
7) Comparing yourself to others
It’s easier than ever to get caught in the trap of comparison. Social media makes it seem like everyone else is more successful, more talented, or further ahead in life. But what you’re seeing is a highlight reel, not reality.
The problem with constantly measuring yourself against others is that it distracts you from your own progress. Instead of focusing on what you need to do, you get stuck feeling like you’re always behind.
True success comes from improving yourself, not trying to keep up with someone else’s version of success. The only person you should compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday.
8) Waiting for motivation
A lot of people think they need to feel motivated before they can take action. But motivation is unreliable—it comes and goes, and if you wait for it, you’ll never get anything done.
Successful people don’t rely on motivation; they rely on discipline. They take action even when they don’t feel like it. And the funny thing is, action creates momentum, which often leads to the very motivation people think they need to start.
If you only work toward your goals when you feel inspired, you’ll make slow progress at best. But if you build the habit of showing up no matter what, success becomes inevitable.
Bottom line: Success is about subtraction
We often think of success as adding more—more goals, more effort, more hours in the day. But real success often comes from subtraction. It’s about clearing away the distractions, the doubts, and the habits that keep us stuck.
Letting go isn’t always easy. We hold onto perfectionism, comparison, and control because they feel familiar. But when we learn to release what no longer serves us, we create space for what truly matters.
In Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I explore how ancient wisdom can help us shift our mindset, let go of unnecessary struggles, and focus on what leads to real growth.
Success isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing less of the wrong things so you can fully commit to the right ones. What’s one thing you’re ready to stop wasting time on?
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