7 things rich and successful people never waste time on

From the Personal Branding Blog

I once found myself in a rut—juggling my freelance branding clients, a fledgling coaching program, and endless social media scrolling. 

I asked myself: “How do high achievers handle all of these demands without collapsing?” 

Then I decided to study their habits. What I discovered challenged some of my core assumptions about productivity and success.

If you’ve ever felt stuck and wondered what sets the wealthy and successful apart, you’re not alone. 

It’s easy to believe it’s all about talent, luck, or resources. But from my experience, the biggest difference often lies in what these individuals deliberately choose not to spend time on.

Below are seven things I’ve noticed high performers avoid. By cutting out these distractions, they free up time and mental energy to focus on what truly matters.

1. Obsessing over what they can’t control

In my line of work, I’ve met top entrepreneurs and executives who seem unflappable when chaos erupts. 

They don’t fixate on external factors they can’t change—like market fluctuations, social media rumors, or random mishaps. 

Instead, they focus their energy on what they can do in the moment. They brainstorm solutions, create backup plans, or simply accept the situation. 

As motivational speaker Brian Tracy once said, “You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.”

Once I embraced that idea, my stress dropped significantly, and I started making better decisions.

2. Engaging in constant criticism or gossip

Another thing highly successful people don’t do is to engage in petty conversations, whether in person or online. 

Instead of debating someone’s character flaws or fueling rumors, they either propose a constructive plan or drop the topic altogether.

One of my mentors once told me, “You can’t build a strong personal brand if you’re tearing others down.” 

That struck a chord because I realized how easy it is to slip into negative talk when we’re bored or frustrated. 

But guess what? Gossip never generates genuine growth. It only leaves a toxic residue in your mind, slowing you down from more meaningful tasks.

3. Overthinking every single decision

Some people get stuck weighing out the tiniest pros and cons, only to end up in decision paralysis. 

Many wealthy folks I’ve met trust their gut after a certain point. They do the initial research, consult experts, and then make a call.

I used to spend hours second-guessing myself on trivial details like picking the perfect font for a presentation. 

Meanwhile, I neglected far more critical decisions—like how to package my services or how to network more effectively. 

Adam Grant, known for his work on organizational psychology, often emphasizes the importance of taking action in an uncertain world. He says, “Inaction breeds rumination and feeds anxiety. Action builds momentum and fuels confidence.”

Dwelling on each possibility leads to stagnation, whereas successful people iterate and refine as they go.

4. Always trying to prove themselves right

It’s easy to burn time defending your stance on every issue or trying to be “the smartest person in the room.” 

Yet I’ve noticed that wealthy, accomplished individuals don’t cling stubbornly to their own opinions. They have a flexible mindset that welcomes new information and fresh perspectives.

My branding workshops sometimes attract people who are initially guarded. They want to project an image of competence so badly that they end up ignoring valuable feedback. 

In contrast, the truly successful ones in the room have fewer ego barriers. They listen, reflect, and adjust course if needed. 

By not wasting energy on being right all the time, they learn faster and execute better.

5. Comparing themselves to others 24/7

It’s natural to look around and see what others are achieving—especially in a social media-driven culture. 

But the high achievers I know don’t let that drive them crazy. They might glance at the competition for insights, but they rarely get stuck feeling envious or inferior.

They take to heart what psychologist Jordan Peterson often emphasizes: “Don’t compare yourself with other people; compare yourself with who you were yesterday.”

Early in my career, I couldn’t help comparing my progress to colleagues who seemed to land clients effortlessly. 

That habit ate away at my confidence and led to poor decisions, like underpricing my services just to keep up. 

Once I stopped obsessing over who had more traction and focused on sharpening my unique approach, my business improved. 

True wealth-builders and leaders understand that their only real competition is yesterday’s version of themselves.

6. Clinging to toxic relationships

It might sound harsh, but successful people guard their time and emotional space fiercely. 

They don’t allow draining individuals—or “energy vampires”—to occupy large chunks of their day. If a relationship is consistently toxic, they either set firm boundaries or walk away.

I can recall a period where I kept investing energy in a friendship that left me feeling drained after every conversation. 

We’d meet for coffee, and I’d walk away anxious or second-guessing my decisions. Meanwhile, my to-do list would grow, and my focus would suffer. 

Successful individuals spot these red flags quickly and minimize the impact on their well-being. They value supportive, growth-oriented relationships where everyone can thrive.

7. Saying “yes” to every opportunity

I’ve saved a big one until last. The most successful people I’ve met are masters of strategic refusal. 

They don’t chase every shiny object or grab every opportunity, because they know it dilutes their energy and focus. 

Instead, they choose projects that align with their core values and long-term vision.

I used to accept almost every speaking engagement or client project that came my way, thinking I needed to seize every possible chance. 

But I soon realized how drained I felt, and my personal brand message started to scatter. 

This was when I learned a crucial lesson: sometimes, saying “no” to a good opportunity means saying “yes” to a great one down the road. 

According to Forbes, setting priorities and focusing on high-impact activities is crucial for taking your time management–and consequently, your success–to the next level. That’s how many successful individuals maintain their edge.

Conclusion

We all have the same 24 hours in a day. The distinction lies in how we guard those hours and what we allow to consume our attention. 

By steering clear of these seven common time-wasters, wealthy and accomplished individuals free themselves to dream bigger, work smarter, and cultivate meaningful relationships.

I’m not suggesting you copy their entire lifestyle or follow some rigid routine. Instead, think of these habits as signposts. 

Eliminate or reduce the tendencies that drain your energy—like gossip, overthinking, or non-stop comparisons—and see where that extra mental bandwidth leads you.

You might discover new business ideas, bolder goals, or simply a healthier peace of mind.

And who knows? One day, someone might look at your life and say, “How do they get it all done without burning out?” 

That’s when you’ll know you’ve unlocked a powerful form of success.

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