In this post, I’m going to share three “smart” habits that are actually holding you back, and how to break free from them.
The Safety Blanket Trap
One of the biggest traps I’ve fallen into is the “safety blanket” mentality. This is when we avoid taking risks or stepping outside our comfort zones because it feels safer and more secure.
For example, when I was preparing to do my first proper live stream, I was absolutely terrified. Even though I’m comfortable with public speaking, the idea of going live in front of over 2,000 people was daunting. When I talked to some of my friends about it, most of them suggested ways I could avoid or minimize the risk – like pre-recording the video instead.
On the surface, these suggestions seemed helpful and “responsible.” But in reality, they were just a way for me to stay in my comfort zone and avoid the discomfort of the live stream.
Fortunately, I also had a conversation with someone who regularly speaks in front of massive crowds. Instead of offering a way out, she challenged me to think about the long-term consequences of playing it safe. “When you’re 90 years old looking back at your life,” she asked, “are you going to remember the live stream that went wrong, or are you going to regret all the opportunities you missed because you were too afraid to try?”
That question completely shifted my perspective. Suddenly, the fear didn’t just shrink – it vanished. I realized that the “comfort” of avoiding the live stream was actually holding me back from becoming the person I wanted to be.
The Power of Your Environment
This experience taught me an important lesson about the power of our environment and the people we surround ourselves with. The friends who suggested ways for me to avoid the live stream weren’t necessarily wrong – they were just reflecting their own reality and comfort level.
The truth is, humans are like “thermometers” – we adjust to the temperature of our environment. If you’re surrounded by people who see starting a YouTube channel or a podcast as risky and scary, that fear and hesitation becomes your default. But if you put yourself in an environment where those things are the norm, they start to feel a lot more achievable.
That’s why the opinions and perspectives you take in when making important decisions are so crucial. The people around you at that time are essentially setting your “normal” thermostat. If you want to grow and achieve big things, you need to surround yourself with people who are already doing it.
Leveraging Online Learning Platforms
Of course, not everyone has the luxury of being able to physically surround themselves with the right people from the start. That’s where online learning platforms like Skillshare can be a game-changer.
When I first started my YouTube channel, I didn’t have anyone in my immediate circle who was a content creator. I had no one to learn from directly. That’s where Skillshare became my virtual environment for growth. The platform is designed to create a supportive, collaborative learning community, with thousands of classes led by industry experts.
Whether you’re interested in filmmaking, illustration, productivity, business, or design, Skillshare gives you access to a community of fellow learners who are on the same journey. You’re not just passively watching videos – you’re creating projects and getting feedback, just like having a mentor and a supportive circle all in one place.
What I love most about Skillshare is how it helps you learn at your own pace through their “learning paths” – curated collections of classes that guide you step-by-step through mastering specific skills. For example, there’s a class on “YouTube Success: How to Script, Shoot, and Edit” that was a total game-changer for me when I was starting out.
The Maybe Tomorrow Trap
The second “smart” habit that can sabotage your success is what I call the “maybe tomorrow” trap. This is when you have a goal or dream, but you constantly put off taking action because you’re waiting for the “perfect” time or conditions.
I’ve noticed that some of the most talented, ambitious, and intelligent people I know are stuck in this trap. They can see their goal so clearly in their mind, but they just never start. “I’ll do it when I have more time,” they say. “I just need to learn a little bit more first.”
The dangerous part is that these excuses sound like responsible, mature decisions. It feels smart to prepare more or wait for the “right” time. But in reality, this trap is just disguising fear as wisdom.
Here’s the thing – every time you wait, you’re not just losing that day, you’re losing all the compounding benefits that day could have created. It’s like compound interest, but in reverse.
Think about content creation, for example. That first video you don’t make? You’re not just missing out on that one video – you’re missing the skills you would have learned, the feedback you would have gotten, the audience you would have built, and the confidence and momentum you would have gained. And the longer you wait, the bigger that gap becomes.
The solution? Give yourself permission to be bad at it. Accept that your first attempt won’t be your best, and that’s okay. That permission to start messy, to learn publicly, to be embarrassingly bad at something new – that’s not just the way out of the “maybe tomorrow” trap, it’s the price of entry for anything worth doing.
The Complexity Trap
The third “smart” habit that can hold you back is what I call the “complexity trap.” This is when we over-complicate our solutions and create more obstacles for ourselves in the process.
I’ve noticed this happen a lot with people who want to start a new habit or project. For example, I was talking to someone who wanted to start getting fit. When they first started thinking about it, their plan was pretty simple – just go to the gym three times a week. But then, instead of just starting, they started adding more and more complexity.
“I need the perfect workout split,” they said. “And meal prep containers, a workout app, new gym clothes…” With each new layer of complexity, they felt like they were getting closer to starting. But in reality, they were just creating more excuses not to begin.
This happens everywhere – people wanting to start a business get stuck building the “perfect” website instead of getting their first customer, content creators spend months planning their entire strategy instead of just making their first video. It feels productive and smart, but often, complexity is just fear wearing a productivity mask.
The truth is, the most successful people and creations in the world started with the simplest version that could work. The first iPhone could barely do anything compared to its capabilities today. Amazon started by just selling books. Facebook was just a way for college students to connect.
So how do you break free from the complexity trap? Ruthlessly simplify. Ask yourself, “What’s the simplest version of this that could work? What could I do today with what I already have? What would this look like if it was easy?”
Putting It All Together
The three habits I’ve outlined – the safety blanket trap, the maybe tomorrow trap, and the complexity trap – are all insidious because they feel smart and responsible on the surface. But in reality, they’re just disguising fear and holding you back from achieving your true potential.
The good news is, there are concrete steps you can take to break free:
- Surround yourself with people who are already doing the things you want to do. Their “normal” will become your new normal.
- Use online learning platforms like Skillshare to create your own virtual environment for growth and support.
- Give yourself permission to start messy and be bad at something new. That’s the price of entry for anything worth doing.
- Ruthlessly simplify your solutions and focus on taking the first step, rather than trying to create the perfect plan.
Remember, the path to success is rarely a straight line. It’s full of ups and downs, failures and breakthroughs. But by becoming aware of these “smart” habits and taking intentional steps to break free, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your biggest goals.