7 Senseless habits that lead nowhere

For many, the year is still new and holds the promises of success and less stress. Motivational speaker and author Shawn Anderson takes the idea of 'living a life you love' seriously. "Why would we ever want to live a life that makes us unhappy?" asks Anderson. "We read everywhere about what we need to do to be successful. But I believe if we just change a few of our habits, we'd be much closer to leading a life we love." Anderson continues, "Sure, some of the seven items on the list may sound harsh, but if we don't stop doing them, the lousy results we will produce later will feel a lot harsher."

With a mission of empowering one million people to lead a more positive and purposeful life, Anderson shares seven senseless habits to let go of this year.

Habit #1: Quit hanging out on Facebook.

"Facebook is a fun way to kill time," Anderson says. "But that's what it does: it kills time, time that could be used to create, inspire, and build."

Habit #2: Quit Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

"Filling our heads with unedifying television doesn't do a lot to help us achieve a better life. "Instead, exchange an hour of TV time to build your own dream rather than a celebrity's dream."

Habit #3: Quit staying up late.

"The surest way to be unmotivated on a Monday is to stay up late on a Sunday. Want to feel energised? Watch a few more sunrises."

Habit #4: Quit spending money you don't have.

"Having the freedom to do what you want in life starts with not being chained down by financial obligations. Give your credit cards a rest."

Habit #5: Quit working at a job you hate.

"Nothing saps the life out of you more than working at a job you hate. Find something else."

Habit #6: Quit hanging out with negative people.

"If you have people in your life who drain you of all that is positive, ask yourself 'Why in the world are they even in my life?'"

Habit #7: Quit pointing fingers.

"Take a massive leap forward and take responsibility for where you are in your life. It's not your boss's fault ... or your spouse's ... or the government's that you're not where you want to be. It's your own cause-and-effect decisions that have you sitting where you are."

The author of six books, including A Better Life: An Inspiring Story About Starting Over and Extra Mile America: Stories of Inspiration, Possibility and Purpose, Anderson is also the founder of 'Extra Mile Day'. On November 1, 2013, 444 cities in all 50 US states made the declaration to recognise the capacity we each have to create positive change for ourselves, families, organisations and communities when we "go the extra mile." Email: Shawn@ShawnAnderson.com.