30 Illuminating Habits Of The Poor Mindset To Rid Yourself Of Negativity

Last Updated on July 15, 2024

The human body is truly incredible and there is no part more amazing than the center of all activity, the brain.

The mind is an incredibly powerful organ.

The brain itself is an organ that weighs about three pounds. About sixty percent is fat, while the other forty percent is made up of water, protein, carbohydrates, and salt.

Here’s an interesting fact about brain development: our brains are not fully developed until we reach the age of twenty-five! Isn’t that astonishing?

In teenagers, the part of the brain that is really firing is the part responsible for emotions, the hypothalamus. Interestingly, it is also responsible for hormones and sexual responses.

This might go a long way to explaining the behavior of young people during their teen years. 

The human brain is responsible for much of the function of the entire body. Our thinking, memory, emotions, body movement, organ function, and the very act of breathing are controlled by the brain.

The brain works by receiving and sending information throughout the body. This information is transmitted as electrical and chemical signals.

Each night when we sleep our brain sorts the information that it has stored in its short-term memory. (One of the important reasons that a full, sound sleep is so important – but that’s for another article.)

If we learn something new that connects with some prior learning, the brain, during sleep, will make this connection and keep the new info.

Information that is no longer needed is dispensed with.

It’s so cool to think that while we’re sawing logs our brain is working at clearing, sorting, and organizing!

There are two basic sides of the brain, referred to as hemispheres, the left and the right.

The left hemisphere is responsible for the right side of the body, and the right hemisphere is responsible for the left side of the body.

The left side of the brain is also chiefly concerned with logic and mathematical reasoning while the right side of the brain is the artistic side.

So, why have I spent all this time talking to you about the brain and how it works?

I want you to get an idea of just how incredible the brain, and our minds are. When we have an understanding of how the brain works, we are then equipped to more effectively use it the way we choose.

The brain is the power center of our being, and powerful it is.

We have the power to use our mind in the way we want, to view our world in the way we wish to, and to interact with our environment as we desire.

Mindset is the key.

In this article, we focus on habits of the poor mindset. By casting light on these habits we can become more aware of how we choose to approach our lives, and ultimately, what we get out of our lives.

Habits Of The Poor Mindset

Much research has been done on the mind and how it works, and we are continually learning more about its power.

What are habits and how are they formed?

A habit is something that is done over and over again, so often, in fact, that it becomes a ritual behavior that we don’t even consciously think about doing.

For example, many of us struggle with snacking while watching TV. We do it so often that any time we sit down to watch TV, we automatically want that bag of chips or pretzels.

We also have good habits like brushing our teeth before we go to bed.

Have you ever heard of the word, neuroplasticity? Don’t worry if you haven’t. It isn’t a word we hear in everyday speech, but it is important to understand how our minds learn habits.

Neuroplasticity is our brain’s ability to change during our lifetime. Think of plasticine and how you can mold and shape it into various things.

Well, you can do the same thing with your brain. 

When people want to improve their lives, often it’s helpful to change some habits that they’ve gotten into over time.

A very basic, nervous habit that many people have is biting their nails.

Habits get formed by our brains getting a feel-good message when we do something that is satisfying in some way.

If we return to the bag of chips while watching TV, when we eat them, our taste buds register that the chips taste yummy, and our brain gets that signal.

Our mind likes it when we feel good, so it tells us to do that action again and again, reinforcing the behavior.

And a habit is formed.

Remember what I mentioned about habits being unconscious behaviors due to their frequent repetition?

The key to changing habits is making a conscious decision to do so.

The first step to becoming more positive is to recognize the poor habits you have that are giving you a negative mindset.

In the list below you will find thirty habits which speak to a poor mindset. It can be helpful to read through the list carefully and think about which habits you may have.

We can sometimes possess a negative habit and not even be aware of it. That’s where a list like this can be truly helpful.

I know, myself, that I have negative habits, and they get in the way of my living a really fulsome life.

Overall, I am a very positive person, but there is definitely room for improvement.

For example, I am following a program to stay out of debt and save a healthy dollar amount for emergencies, but I am sometimes tempted to veer off this path and use a credit card to make a purchase, or dip into my emergency fund for things that are absolutely not emergencies.

I also have a very bad sweet tooth and am constantly picking up a chocolate bar when I’m in a store. 

Let this list of negative habits motivate you to recognize habits you would like to curb – actually, kick to the curb and be rid of for good!

Don’t take on too much at once, but as you tackle one bad habit at a time, your success will fuel you to rid yourself of another.

Before you know it, you will have reduced your bad habits and be living a happier, healthier life!

30 Habits Of The Poor Mindset Notes

1. “They stay in debt: They accumulate debt and struggle to pay it off, leading to financial stress and limited opportunities.”

2. “Lacking ambitions: They lack direction or goals for their lives, leading to aimlessness and dissatisfaction.”

3. “Not letting go: They hold onto negative emotions or past traumas, hindering personal growth and happiness.”

"Not letting go: They hold onto negative emotions or past traumas, hindering personal growth and happiness."

4. “I don’t deserve it: They have a negative self-image and limit their own potential.”

5. “Associating with the wrong people: They surround themselves with negative influences and fail to seek out positive relationships.”

6. “They see cars as a status symbol: They focus on material possessions as a means of displaying wealth and status.”

7. “Poor time management: They waste time or fail to prioritize important tasks, leading to decreased productivity and success.”

8. “Always complaining: They focus on the negative aspects of life and fail to appreciate the positive.”

9. “They fail to budget: They don’t plan their finances or set limits on spending, that leads to financial instability.”

10. “Hyper-consumption: They are driven by a desire for more and more possessions, regardless of necessity or usefulness.”

11. “Eating an unhealthy diet: They prioritize convenience over health and wellness, leading to poor physical and mental health.”

12. “Giving more advice than the other person needs it: They offer unsolicited advice and fail to listen to others’ perspectives.”

13. “They don’t make savings a priority: They prioritize immediate wants over long-term financial security.”

"They don't make savings a priority: They prioritize immediate wants over long-term financial security."

14. “Borrowing money for ridiculous reasons: They prioritize immediate wants over long-term financial stability and responsibility.”

15. “Reading the wrong books: They read material that reinforces negative thinking and limited perspectives.”

16. “Being sports fanatics: They prioritize entertainment over personal development or relationships.”

17. “Working only for money: They lack passion or purpose in their work, leading to dissatisfaction and lack of fulfillment.”

18. “Being religious fanatics: They prioritize religious beliefs over rational thinking and personal growth.”

19. “Not exercising: They neglect physical fitness and health, leading to poor physical and mental health.”

20. “Lack of strategic investment: They fail to invest in their future or make wise financial decisions, leading to limited growth and success.”

21. “Seeing problems in every situation: They focus on the negative aspects of life and fail to see opportunities for growth and improvement.”

22. “Lacking motivation: They lack the drive and enthusiasm to pursue their goals and dreams.”

23. “Always blaming the government: They blame external factors for their problems and fail to take personal responsibility.”

24. “Bringing zero value: They don’t contribute to society or add value to their communities.”

25. “Having flawed priorities: They prioritize short-term gratification over long-term success and happiness.”

26. “Watching a lot of television: They waste time and fail to engage in productive activities or personal growth.

27. “Practicing poor hygiene: They neglect personal hygiene, leading to poor health and social ostracism.”

28. “Avoiding responsibility: They fail to take responsibility for their actions and blame others for their problems.”

29. “Never/always belief system: They have a black and white view of the world, leading to inflexibility and closed-mindedness.”

30. “They live broke: They live paycheck to paycheck, and do not invest in resources for their future or save for emergencies.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Blaming Others For Failures Affect Mindset?

Blaming others for failures fosters a victim mentality and prevents individuals from taking responsibility for their actions and outcomes. It reinforces the belief that external factors control one’s fate, rather than empowering individuals to take control of their lives.

What Is The Impact Of Focusing On Obstacles Rather Than Solutions?

Focusing on obstacles rather than solutions perpetuates a negative outlook and limits problem-solving abilities. It prevents individuals from seeking creative solutions and adapting to challenges, hindering personal growth and success.

How Can One Overcome Habits Of The Poor Mindset?

Overcoming habits of the poor mindset requires self-awareness, intentional effort, and a commitment to personal growth. It involves challenging negative beliefs, adopting a growth-oriented perspective, practicing self-compassion, and seeking support from mentors or coaches.

Continue Reading 👉: 20 Convincing Reasons To Show That Mindset Is The Key To Powerful Change

Dr. Emily Harris
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