Recent breakthroughs in the study of the human brain have revealed that habits drive who we are much more than our wishes and desires do. Good habits can lead us to success. Bad habits, on the other hand, will do the opposite.
Here are 15 horrendous habits that are permanently scarring you:
Bad money habits
1. Not making savings a priority
If you plan on saving the money you have left over at the end of the month, there won't be any. Not having savings means you will likely use debt to pay unexpected bills.
2. Not paying your credit cards off each month
There's no doubt that credit cards are super convenient to use, and you can even earn airline miles or other rewards. However, if you use credit cards to buy things that you don't have the money to pay off each month, the interest you end up paying will be greater than any rewards. And if you are the average credit card user who does not pay off the credit card each month, you will have an average of $15,000 of credit card debt, and pay around $3,000 a year in interest.
3. Not doing a monthly budget
If you don't have a plan each month on what to do with your money, your money will be spent without thinking.
4. Using payday loans to cover shortfalls
Businesses that will give you a payday loan or a title loan are likely going to charge you an interest rate of more than 100 percent — possibly even 500 percent.
5. Ignoring the importance of saving for retirement when young
A $1,000 amount invested at age 20 in a retirement account that earns 8 percent on average each year would equal about $47,000 at age 70. Waiting until age 40 to invest that $1,000 will equal about $10,000 at age 70. You will get much bigger results if you start early.
Bad relationship habits
1. Blaming
When you blame others for bad consequences that you caused, you are deflecting the cause of the problem and not taking ownership. You can't have a healthy relationship with someone if they see you blaming them for your own mess.
2. Complaining
Your loved ones are not perfect, but constant complaining about their shortcomings is not going to help them get better; and it makes them want to avoid you.
3. Shaming
Your family members are going to make mistakes. They feel bad about making bad choices. Your comments that they are flawed and defective and unworthy of love make things even worse.
4. Sarcasm
Sarcasm is actually hostility disguised as humor. Using it with your spouse and children doesn't make you funny; it makes you a jerk.
Bad health habits
1. Not walking enough
If you are not walking 30 minutes a day you are missing out on an excellent habit that can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, and strengthen your bones.
2. Drinking soda
Soda consumption is on a downward trend in America, because more people are becoming aware that excessive soda drinking can contribute to obesity, tooth decay, heart disease, asthma, kidney stones and bone density loss.
3. Eating out
The foods most Americans select while eating out are more expensive, have more calories and are less nutritious than home-cooked meals. The average American household spends more than $2,600 per year eating out. Eating out less can save you money and make you healthier. Use the money to boost your retirement.
Bad media habits
1. Can't put down that smart phone
If you are spending time with a loved one but are constantly looking at your smart phone for your latest text, social media update or email, you are sending a message that your phone is more important than giving them your undivided attention.
2. Excessive gaming/video binging
Too much screen time can lead to irregular eating habits, sleep disorder, poor hygiene and withdrawal from interaction with those around you.
Bad personality habit
1. Selfishness
It is natural for young children to see themselves as the center of the world, but with maturity should come the realization that being a giver is actually better for you than being a taker. If you are stuck in a habit of selfishness you will never be able to achieve your highest potential.
The bad news is that bad habits are hard to break - that is why they are habits. The good news is that recent scientific studies have revealed there are easy-to-follow steps that have proven effective in replacing bad habits with good ones."
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business" by Charles Duhigg, and "
" by Chip and Dan Heath are two books that can help you on the path to getting rid of any horrendous habit.
People can successfully change their bad habits. Remember to focus on just one at a time and follow the process that replaces a bad habit with a good one.
