Habits and Hustle - Episode 518: 7 Habits You Must Stop to Level Up

Episode Date: January 9, 2026

What if the reason you’re not moving forward isn’t what you’re missing, but what you keep holding on to? Change doesn’t happen because you add more to your life. It happens when you finally remove the habits that drain your time, your energy and your momentum.  In this solo episode, I break down the seven patterns that stop high performers from moving forward, even when they think they’re doing everything right. These questions come up constantly, and the truth behind them is the same. Waiting is a trap, negative energy slows you down, comfort blocks growth, complaining keeps you stuck in place. If you feel like you’re pushing hard but not getting anywhere, this episode will show you exactly what to cut. These are simple shifts, but they change everything. Tune in and take notes. What we discuss: (00:49) Why waiting to feel ready keeps you stuck (01:41) How negative people drain your creativity and momentum (02:26) Comfort that feels good now but blocks real growth (03:32) Complaining vs ownership and what actually moves you forward (04:07) Failure as feedback and the mindset shift that stops the quitting cycle (04:40) When saying yes becomes self-sabotage and how to break the pattern (05:41) Consuming before creating and why it kills your voice and momentum Thank you to our sponsor: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE40 for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Amp fits is the perfect balance of tech and training, designed for people who do it all and still want to feel strong doing it. Check it out at joinamp.com/jen  Find more from Jen: Website: www.jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements

Hi guys, it's Tony Robbins. You're listening to Habits and Hustle. Crush it. Before we dive into today's episode, I first want to thank our sponsor, Therasage. Their trite panel has become my favorite biohacking thing for healing my body. It's a portable red light panel that I simply cannot live without. I literally bring it with me everywhere I go. And I personally use their red light therapy to help reduce inflammations and places in my body where honestly, I have pain. You can use it on a sore back, stomach cramps, shoulder, ankle.

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Again, head over to Therisage, T-H-E-R-A-S-A-G-E dot com and use code B-Bould for 15% off any of their products. Welcome back to Habits and Hustle. Everyone's always talking about what to do to change their life. But today, I actually want to flip it. Real transformation isn't just about adding new habits. It's actually about stopping the ones that hold you back, the ones and patterns that keep you stuck, drained, and waiting for that quote unquote someday. So today, I want to share with you seven things I would never do if I want to level up.

And how saying no to these habits will instantly move you closer to the life you actually want. I did this by compiling some of the most asked questions of me in this area. And so I'm going to share the question with you. And then we're going to dive into the answer. So let's do it. The first question I get a lot regarding this topic is you always say, waiting to feel ready is a trap. Why is that such a dangerous mindset?

Well, the answer is easy because readiness is a total myth. You'll never feel perfectly ready. clarity actually comes from action, not from overthinking, actually from doing. And most people wait themselves out of the actual opportunity. Confidence is actually built through action, not by actually planning. And the perfect time does not exist. It does not exist. It's the momentum that creates the potential opportunity. So that's my answer. The second question I get a lot is you talk a lot about energy. Why do negative people have such a big impact on success?

That's an easy one to answer. Because energy is contagious. You become who you are surrounded by. We've all heard that expression, right? We are the five people we're around the most. So true. Complainers drain your creativity and your momentum. High performers make sure they guard their energy

because it's their biggest resource. Being around people who elevate you versus bring you down is so instrumental. You must audit the circle you're around. Another question I get is, well, you said playing it safe keeps you stuck. Why do you think so many people get addicted to safety? That's a good question, but I'm going to tell you the answer. Because comfort feels good short term, but it kills long-term growth. Risk is the entry fee for every next level.

Fear and excitement feel the same. Learn to lean into it. You can't build resilience without discomfort. It's absolutely impossible. Playing small guarantees regret. Risk guarantees experience. I always live by the motto, rejection over regret every time. Let me share my daily routine game changer with you.

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code gen for 35% off your first subscription. Trust me, you'll be happy you did. Question number four. You're known for being solution focused. Why do you think complaining is such a success killer? Ugh, so true. Complaining keeps you focused on problems, not progress. High performers use that same energy to take action. Blame is so easy. Responsibility is where growth actually happens. Every complaint is a signal to do something differently. Success comes from ownership, not excuses. Question five. You say failure is feedback, but most people quit after one setback.

How do you actually shift that mindset? Well, guess why? Because failure is not final. It's data. Every setback teaches you what doesn't work. Quitting guarantees you'll never see the payoff. The best entrepreneurs fail faster and learn faster.

Growth is uncomfortable. That's how you know it's actually working. Question six. Let's talk about boundaries. Why is saying yes when you mean no such a trap? Oh my, this is a good one. People pleasing is self-sabotage, disguised in kindness. Every yes to something meaningless is a no to your actual priorities.

boundaries aren't rude. They're necessary for focus. Saying no doesn't make you difficult. It makes you disciplined. Protecting your time is how you build the life you actually want, not just accepting the life you get. And lastly, question seven. You and this list was something that hits hard, scrolling before you create. Why is that such a big one for you? Oh, that's so true. That is one of my big ones. Consuming first kills your creativity. When you start your day with other people's content, you lose your own voice. Your brain goes into comparison instead of creation mode. Momentum is built by doing, not watching. Create before you consume every time. So changing your life isn't just about what you start doing. It's about what you stop doing.

stop waiting to feel ready. Stop surrounding yourself with people who drain you. And stop saying yes when you actually mean no. The biggest difference, the biggest, biggest difference between people who change and people who stay stuck isn't luck. It's what they're willing to walk away from. If this hits home, share it with someone who needs that wake-up call. and let me know how it goes.

Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already and leave me a comment to let me know how you enjoyed this solo episode. Have a good one.