We devote our time to many endeavors, but some of them directly have an adverse impact on how much we enjoy life. Keep reading to learn about 25 big time wasters.
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1. Playing On Your Phone While In Another’s Company
So many people pick up their smartphones and play mindless games on them, even when they are spending time with friends or significant others. If you find yourself doing that, remember that it’s more important to communicate face to face.
2. Planning Days So They’re Compulsively Busy
Staying busy can be a good thing, but not if you’re consciously trying to fill your schedule just to make others think you’re leading a very full life. Plan the ways you spend your time wisely, and avoid just being busy for the sake of it.
3. Dwelling On Things Outside Your Control
Worrying is natural to some degree, but it’s not good to constantly be preoccupied with things you can’t control. Do what you can to influence factors inside your control and try to let the rest work itself out.
4. Giving Time To Friends Who Don’t Reciprocate
Friendship should be a very reciprocal relationship that benefits both people. If you notice you’re constantly giving your time to friends who don’t do the same for you, it’s time to reevaluate whom you’re spending time with.
5. Thinking Too Much About The Things You Don’t Have
Concentrating too much on the things other people have that you lack can leave you constantly unsatisfied. Try to be grateful for the things you have, and remember that a lot of individuals don’t have as much as you do.
6. Worrying About The Past
Avoid placing too much emphasis on past regrets. You may need to make amends about things that have happened in the past, but don’t devote a lot of time and energy toward wishing things were different.
7. Having An Overly Negative Attitude
Being negative from time to time is okay, but if you find that you almost always have a negative attitude, give yourself a reality check and try to reshape your perspective so it’s more positive.
8. People Who Love To Start Drama For No Good Reason
Some people seem to be attracted to drama like a magnet. If there are some of those individuals in your life, try hard to steer clear of them as much as possible. Otherwise, you may find that they drag you into the drama, too.
9. Jobs That Are Truly A Poor Fit
Almost every job has its downsides, but if you’re in a line of work that you genuinely despise and you’ve waited long enough to see if you simply needed time to adjust into the workplace, think seriously about looking for another type of career or another organization. Life is too short to be stuck in a job you hate.
10. Being Too Dependent On Unhealthy Coping Strategies
When life gets stressful, some people rely too much on food, alcohol or drugs to numb the pain they’re feeling. If that sounds familiar, make a point of doing healthier things to manage stress. Doing unhealthy things to try to keep stress under control could cause you to feel so ill that you’re unable to be productive for days at a time.
11. Spending Too Much Time On A Plan In Case The Worst Happens
Many people feel very comfortable if they have action plans in mind in case the worst outcome for a given situation actually happens. There’s no harm in spending a little bit of time thinking about this, but don’t get carried away; keep in mind that the worst thing you can think of probably won’t actually come to pass.
12. Getting Sucked Into Social Media
People often tell themselves they’re just going to go on their favorite social media sites for a minute, and then they find that minute has turned into an hour. If you have trouble limiting your time on social media on your own, set a timer and see if the audio cue gives the needed encouragement to sign off.
13. Letting Others Treat You Poorly
You can’t control how others behave towards you, but you can control how tolerant you are of their actions. Be careful not to let yourself be continually manipulated or used.
14. Making Decisions Due To Peer Pressure
When making choices in life, it’s crucial to listen to your heart and mind and to not be too persuaded by what others are telling you. You probably know yourself better than anyone else.
15. Comparing Yourself To Others
Whether you’re unhappy with your body, your status in life or something else, don’t let yourself fall into the trap of comparing yourself to other people you know. Doing that often isn’t helpful, and it can even be downright harmful.
16. Putting On An Act To Impress People
If the people in your life don’t like you for who you are, they’re probably not worth your time. Don’t waste energy trying to project a certain image that you think people will like.
17. Not Being Honest With Yourself
There are already plenty of people in the world who won’t be honest with you. That’s why it is so important to at least be honest with yourself and stay true to what you believe.
18. Changing Yourself To Please Others
Self-improvement is a key part of life, but only you’re doing it out of genuine motivation. Don’t try to make huge changes to yourself unless you are the main person who wants them to happen.
19. Holding Grudges
The relationships you have with others may be far more valuable than any material possessions. Don’t waste time being angry with people because you’re unwilling to forgive them. Talk it out and make up whenever possible.
20. Listening Too Much To Closed-Minded People
Some people are just unwilling to change their minds in any case. Don’t spend too much of your time listening to them if the opinions they hold are hurtful; this will just drain you of energy.
21. Making Impulse Purchases
Buying things you don’t need wastes time and money. Avoid doing it whenever possible.
22. Being Too Willing
In desperate attempts to make others happy, some people find it hard to say “No.” If you can relate, work diligently but patiently toward knowing when to turn down requests.
23. Giving Into Fear
Everyone experiences fear occasionally. However, it’s important not to let fear overpower you and prevent you from enjoying life to the fullest.
24. Waiting Until The “Right Time”
Some people won’t do anything until it feels like all the factors have fallen into the right places. However, it is rare that everything will be perfect. Don’t wait too long before taking action, or you may find yourself waiting forever.
25. Being Extremely Doubtful
A healthy amount of doubt is okay, but not if it exists to the point where you’re always bringing yourself down.
If you’ve been spending your time in some of these unproductive ways, it’s not too late to change for the better. Get started today!
