Wise People Almost Never Waste Their Time On These 12 Things

Take a leaf out of a wise person’s book and stop wasting time on these things.

A person with long brown hair smiles warmly, wearing a beige coat and gray scarf. The background shows a blurred outdoor scene with bright sunlight and blue sky.

Those individuals who possess true wisdom know the value of their time. This means they also know exactly which things to avoid spending that time on. If in doubt, follow the lead of the wise few and stop wasting your time and energy on the following things.

1. Gossiping.

A woman looks troubled and sad while sitting at a table. In the foreground, two people are whispering to each other. The scene suggests the woman may be feeling left out or gossiped about by the others. The setting appears to be an office or meeting room.

Wise people see their time as precious currency, meaning that gossip is the worst investment. They try to steer their conversations away from talking about others towards more uplifting topics. In doing so, they can focus on healthy thoughts instead of the latest scandal—a habit that is more beneficial than most people realize.

2. Making comparisons.

A person with short gray hair and a blue shirt looks out of a window with a thoughtful expression. They hold the white curtain gently, as soft daylight illuminates one side of their face.

Focusing on someone else’s path will only give you travel sickness, which is why wise people don’t waste their time measuring their lives against others. Instead, they like to stick to their own journey, safe in the knowledge that life isn’t a competition. For them, the only real competition is against their yesterday’s self as they work to be better than they were before.

3. Ruminating on past mistakes.

A man in a blue plaid shirt gazes thoughtfully out of a window. His right arm is raised, with his hand resting on his forehead. The background is softly blurred, suggesting an indoor setting.

Dwelling over your mistakes is like replaying a bad movie—you know how it ends, and it’s always embarrassing. Smart people would rather learn their lessons and move forward with the knowledge that they’re wiser now. If anything, they see each mistake as a lesson to be learned instead of something to regret. Essentially, they want to focus on improving and never making the same mistake twice.

4. Fretting about tomorrow.

An older woman with short blond hair is sitting on a couch, resting her chin on her hand, and gazing thoughtfully out of a window. She is wearing a light blue sweater and appears contemplative. A blurred vase with flowers is in the background.

Spending today worrying about tomorrow is a true waste of time. Wise people plant their feet firmly in the present by living in the moment rather than chasing the shadows of the future. They soak up the here and now because they know that the present moment is really all anyone ever has. Yes, they plan and aim to be prepared for unseen eventualities, but they don’t agonize over everything that might go wrong.

5. Trying to please everyone.

Two men are sitting at a table during a meeting. The man on the left, wearing glasses and a plaid shirt, is smiling and gesturing with a pen. The man on the right, with a beard, is listening attentively. A tablet is visible in the foreground.

When you try to be everyone’s cup of tea, you’re only going to end up dissatisfied. Wise people recognize the impossibility of pleasing everyone, and they focus on making their actions fit their own values. This helps to ensure they attract the right crowd. They’re happy being their real selves, which naturally draws people who appreciate the genuine article.

6. Procrastinating.

A person wearing glasses and a plaid shirt sits at a desk, looking at a laptop. They rest their chin on their hand, appearing thoughtful. A glass of water is nearby, and a bright window curtain is in the background.

Postponing tasks will only ever clutter your space and your mind. That’s why wise people face their to-do lists head-on and recognize that procrastination just delays the inevitable. They break tasks down, set deadlines, and celebrate small victories along the way. After all, each task they complete is another step away from stress and a step towards a sense of peace.

7. Engaging in negative self-talk.

A man with short, messy hair and a beard is sitting indoors, looking pensive. He rests his head on his hand, with a window blurred in the background. He wears a green shirt and appears deep in thought.

Wise people only speak kind words in their minds. They avoid harsh self-critiques, choosing to support affirmations that help create resilience and self-respect. They understand the importance of talking to themselves like you would to a dear friend, with gentleness and encouragement. The way they speak to themselves can completely change their energy and eventual achievements.

8. Trying to control every little thing.

A woman with long hair, wearing a yellow sleeveless dress, stands pensively on an outdoor walkway. She has one hand on her chin and the other arm crossed, with a sky bridge in the blurred background. The image is taken during daytime.

Control is a tricky beast, and trying to tame other people’s actions is never going to work. So, wise people know their limits. They focus on sculpting their own actions and reactions, which builds bridges over barriers. There’s real freedom in letting things happen naturally and understanding that the flow of life is partly out of your hands. It’s a lot less stressful living that way!

9. Holding a grudge.

Two young men are sitting outdoors, leaning against a brick wall. The man in the foreground has a pensive expression with slightly tousled hair and a beard. The man in the background is out of focus and appears to be looking in a different direction.

Holding onto grudges can really weigh you down, and wise people understand this. They choose to forgive so that they can free up their emotional space. That doesn’t mean forgetting what happened. No, they just don’t let it hold them back. Letting go of resentment helps them move on with their lives, feeling a whole lot lighter and without the bitterness dragging them down.

10. Being addicted to social media.

A person with light hair in braids is holding a smartphone and smiling slightly. Various social media reaction icons, such as thumbs up, hearts, and smiley faces, are overlaid around the person, indicating engagement with content on their device.

Unlike most people, the wisest of us don’t just scroll endlessly. They use social media with a plan, and they go online knowing exactly what they want to do—perhaps to catch up with friends and share something cool. They might even find some inspiration. Either way, the goal is to make their time online add up to something good, which usually involves creating boundaries to keep their online time positive and purposeful.

11. Trying to be perfect.

A woman with long red hair smiles warmly while sitting in a bright kitchen. She is wearing a light-colored shirt and a green jacket. The background shows blurred kitchen shelves and a counter.

Chasing perfection? Wise people know that’s a fool’s errand. They aim for excellence and know when “good enough” really is good enough. They understand that perfection is a myth, and that chasing it is just a never-ending loop. Instead, they focus on doing their best and appreciating the little imperfections along the way—that’s where the real growth happens.

12. Watching too much TV.

A man sits on a couch holding a remote control, resting his chin on his hand, looking bored. He wears a gray and white long-sleeve shirt, with a green bottle on the table in front of him, and a white brick wall in the background.

While it’s easy to binge-watch the latest series, the wise among us pick what they watch with care, and they treat their screen time like a choice meal. They choose shows that aren’t simply a way to waste time but something that’s actually worth their time. Whether it’s a documentary or a truly gripping series, they choose something that brings value to their day.