It took me many years to feel like I was living with purpose. For starters, I was young and focused more on not looking stupid and making my first dollars online. I was living short term. Over time, this feeling that I needed more fulfillment ate away at me.

I needed more than just paying the bills and keeping a roof over my head. I needed to focus on the long term. Eventually, I did more things that gave me real purpose. I learned what was stopping me and others from realizing it.

Here are 7 things that feel good in the short term but hurt people in the long term:

1. Being obsessed with yourself

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Worrying about how we look and what others think stifles our purpose. This prevents you from having your true experience. Focus on helping others and improving the world, and you will have purpose.

According to a 2022 study, self-obsession hinders your purpose by creating a mental barrier that prevents you from focusing on anything beyond your thoughts and feelings, making it difficult to connect with others, understanding their needs and contributing meaningfully to a larger goal, essentially trapping you in a cycle. of self-centered rumination that hinders your ability to pursue a fulfilling goal in life.

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2. Chase away money and material goods

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Money can be seen as a reflection of the difference you make in the worldbut chasing money in itself will take you away from your goal. Tie making money to something bigger than yourself.

3. Rush

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You are not short of time. Life is long. The days are long. You know it. I know that. In reality, you are missing two things: desire and impulse. To understand what requires your time and make sure they’re not things you’ll regret spending most of your life doing.

Researchers who published an American Sociological Association study wrote: “With waking hours largely devoted to work, there are precious minutes left for the daily to-do list, including exercising, cleaning, and socializing with friends and family. »

At first glance, the question seems simple. Time pressure is due to lack of time, right? Well, partly. It’s the feeling that we don’t have enough time to do what we want to do, but it turns out that feelings And enough And wanna are somewhat subjective.

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4. Prioritize goals over momentum

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Goals are essentialbut they are less important than creating momentum. The momentum is being created now, not next Wednesday. Develop a system geared toward continuous movement and you will have a goal.

5. Ignoring your instincts

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Inner intelligence is that wise voice that comes to you when you finally stop worrying for a second. It finds you when you’re in flow. The voice tells you exactly what you need to know to be on purpose if you will only listen.

Research 2010 suggests that ignoring your inner voice, often referred to as intuition or your “gut feeling”, can significantly hinder your ability to align with your life purpose by preventing you from making decisions that resonate with your true values ​​and desires, potentially leading to feelings of dissatisfaction and a sense of slippage in life; Indeed, your inner voice can serve as a guide to help you navigate complex situations and identify what truly aligns with your goals and aspirations.

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6. Work outside your zone of genius

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Life gives us many excuses to stray from the things we are naturally gifted at and that give us life. Find these things and be deadly how do you say no to things it shouldn’t demand your limited attention.

Research, particularly around the concept of “Zone of genius” popularized by a psychologist Gay Hendrickssuggests that constantly stepping outside of your natural strengths and passions (your zone of genius) can significantly hinder your ability to achieve your purpose in life, leading to decreased motivation, satisfaction, and ultimately a sense of dissatisfaction or not being good enough. your potential.

7. Not honoring your core values

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Maybe you can’t verbalize your values, but you can see them in play when what you’re doing just isn’t working for you. You feel an overwhelming sense of shame. These are the times when you are in conflict because your actions do not match your values. You are not intentional when you are not aligned with what you consider THE way to live your life.

Research shows that when your actions and life choices are not aligned with your core values, it can significantly hinder your ability to find and achieve your purpose, leading to feelings of dissatisfaction, lack of motivation, inner conflicts and, ultimately, a sense of being. dissatisfied in life. Essentially, a 2020 analysis published by the Review of General Psychology I have found that living at odds with your values ​​creates a barrier to discovering and pursuing what truly matters to you on a deeper level.

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Alex Mathers is a writer and coach who helps you build a lucrative personal brand through your knowledge and skills while remaining mentally resilient.