If you really want to become richer and more successful, say goodbye to these 7 habits

I was having coffee with my former colleague last month—a guy who went from being a mid-level analyst to founding a company that's now worth millions. As we caught up, I asked him what he thought made the biggest difference in his journey.

His answer surprised me. "It wasn't what I started doing," he said, stirring his latte. "It was what I stopped doing. I had to kill some habits that were keeping me stuck."

That conversation got me thinking about my own path from financial analyst to writer, and all the successful people I've encountered along the way. The common thread wasn't necessarily talent or luck—it was their willingness to let go of behaviors that held them back.

If you're serious about building wealth and achieving success, here are seven habits you need to ditch. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

1. Saying yes to everything

Remember that friend who's always busy but never seems to get ahead? They're probably stuck in the "yes trap."

When I first started my writing career, I said yes to every opportunity that came my way. Low-paying gigs, projects that didn't align with my goals, endless networking events—I was afraid that saying no would close doors.

But what actually happened was that I spread myself so thin that I couldn't excel at anything.

Warren Buffett nailed it when he said, "The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything".

Here's the reality: your time and energy are finite resources. Every yes to something mediocre is a no to something potentially transformative. Successful people are ruthless about protecting their focus. They understand that opportunity cost isn't just an economic concept—it's a life principle.

Start asking yourself: Does this align with my core goals? Will this move me closer to where I want to be? If the answer isn't a clear yes, then it's probably a no.

2. Trying to multitask your way to success

I used to pride myself on being a multitasker. I'd have five browser tabs open, respond to emails while on calls, and work on multiple projects simultaneously. I thought I was being efficient.

Turns out, I was sabotaging myself.

People often think juggling multiple tasks at once makes them more efficient, but experts say it actually backfires. Instead of getting more done, switching between different activities can actually slash how much you accomplish - some researchers say by nearly half. 

Think about it this way: your brain isn't a computer with multiple processors. It's more like a spotlight that can only illuminate one thing at a time. When you try to juggle multiple tasks, you're constantly switching that spotlight, and each switch comes with a cost.

The wealthy and successful people I know are masters of single-tasking. They give their full attention to one thing until it's done, then move to the next. It's not glamorous, but it's effective.

Try this: pick one important task and commit to working on it for 25 minutes without any distractions. You'll be amazed at how much you accomplish.

3. Neglecting your physical health

This one hits close to home. During my analyst days, I lived on fast food and energy drinks. I told myself I was too busy to eat properly or exercise. I thought I was being productive, but I was actually undermining my performance.

Here's what I learned: your body is your most important asset. When you neglect it, everything else suffers.

Research backs this up, too. The folks at Brigham Young University discovered that workers who ate poorly were significantly more prone to experiencing drops in their work performance - about two-thirds more likely than those with better eating habits.

The lesson? Poor nutrition doesn't just affect your waistline—it affects your ability to think clearly, make decisions, and maintain energy throughout the day.

I'm not saying you need to become a fitness fanatic or follow the perfect diet. But basic self-care—eating nutritious meals, getting enough sleep, moving your body regularly—isn't a luxury. It's a business strategy.

4. Living in your phone

Walk into any restaurant and you'll see it: people scrolling through their phones instead of engaging with the world around them. We've become addicted to digital stimulation, and it's costing us more than we realize.

Data from Exploding Topics suggests that the typical person is glued to their phone for nearly five hours daily. Five hours—time that could be spent learning new skills, building relationships, or working on meaningful projects.

But it's not just about time. Constant phone use fragments your attention and reduces your ability to focus deeply on complex problems. How can you develop innovative solutions or strategic thinking when you're always jumping between apps?

I started tracking my phone usage and was shocked by the results. To be honest, there were days when I was spending more time on social media than I was on my most important work projects. That wake-up call led me to implement some strict boundaries.

Try putting your phone in another room when you're working on important tasks. The inconvenience of getting up to check it will break the automatic habit of reaching for it every few minutes.

5. Surrounding yourself with negative people

You know that person who always complains about their job but never does anything to change it? The one who shoots down your ideas before you've even finished explaining them? They might be dragging you down more than you realize.

I learned this lesson the hard way. Early in my career, I spent a lot of time with colleagues who were constantly negative about our company, our prospects, and pretty much everything else. Their pessimism was contagious, and I found myself adopting their limiting beliefs.

Everything changed when I started seeking out people who were building things, taking risks, and thinking bigger. Their energy and optimism lifted me up and expanded my sense of what was possible.

Your network isn't just about who you know—it's about who you become. If you want to be wealthy and successful, you need to surround yourself with people who embody those qualities. Their habits, mindset, and expectations will rub off on you.

This doesn't mean you should abandon struggling friends, but it does mean being intentional about who you spend your time with. Energy is contagious, so choose wisely.

6. Avoiding financial education

Most people spend more time researching their next vacation than they do learning about money. We'll spend hours comparing hotel prices but can't be bothered to understand compound interest or investment basics.

Don't believe me? The World Economic Forum points out that American financial literacy has been stuck at roughly half the population for the past eight years, and has actually declined slightly in recent years.

This financial illiteracy is keeping people poor. You can't build wealth if you don't understand how money works.

The wealthy understand that financial education is an ongoing process. They read books, attend seminars, and constantly look for ways to improve their money management skills. They understand that every dollar saved or invested wisely compounds over time.

Start small. Read one financial book this month. Listen to a podcast about investing during your commute. The knowledge you gain will pay dividends—literally—for decades to come.

7. Procrastinating on important decisions

We all know someone who's been "thinking about" starting a business for years. Or maybe they've been "considering" a career change for the past five years.

They're stuck in analysis paralysis, waiting for the perfect moment that never comes.

Successful people understand that timing is rarely perfect. They make decisions quickly and adjust as they go. They know that the cost of inaction often exceeds the risk of making an imperfect choice.

I spent two years thinking about leaving my analyst job to become a writer. I had every excuse in the book—I needed to save more money, the market wasn't right, I didn't have enough experience. The truth was, I was scared.

Trust me, don't wait for permission or perfect conditions. 

Final thoughts

Looking back at my conversation with my ex-colleague, I realize he was sharing something profound. Success isn't just about adding new habits—it's about subtracting the ones that don't serve you.

These seven habits might feel comfortable or familiar, but they're quietly sabotaging your potential. The good news? You can start changing them today.

Pick one habit that resonates with you most. Maybe it's putting your phone away for a few hours each day, or saying no to that project that doesn't align with your goals. Small changes compound over time, just like investments.

Remember, becoming wealthy and successful isn't about overnight transformation. It's about consistent, intentional choices that align with your bigger vision. And sometimes, the most powerful choice you can make is deciding what to stop doing.

Your future self is counting on the decisions you make today. Make them count.