Increase Work Productivity by Changing Bad Habits
“A habit is something you can do without thinking – which is why most of us have so many of them.” ~Frank Howard Clark
The little decisions you make day-to-day can help you make big moves in the long-run. But sometimes bad habits can hold you back from a productive day, or even hinder you from reaching the success you’ve been working so hard towards.
Chances are, you’re indulging in bad habits at work and you don’t even realize it. Whether it’s snacking too loudly, taking excessively long lunch breaks or always jumping on social media, it reflects poorly on your professionalism and can kill your productivity.
We’ve broken down some of the most common bad habits at work below. If any of them strike a chord, stop immediately and eliminate these bad habits stat!
5 Tips to Changing Bad Habits at Work
Spread that ‘Magical Monday’ Cheer
Complaining about Monday has become par for the course. Mondays are equally hard on everyone. But a negative attitude can lead to lack of focus and decreased productivity. Instead of griping about how much you hate Monday, try thinking positive and the day will follow. Start your day of by asking yourself what you’re grateful for, instead of why you’re dreading the day. It’s impossible to have the Monday blues while counting your reasons to be grateful!
The Social Media Checking Ticks
We are all guilty of it. Checking our Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat has almost become like a nervous tick. But it’s time to stop the continuous scroll and step out of that deep, dark hole of non-productiveness.
Jumping Around
No, we’re not talking about jumping up and down at your desk (because we encourage physical activity throughout the day!), but jumping around from email, to cell phone, to that project due today, to the conference call. It’s drilled in our heads that multitasking is the key to getting s#*% done but really you end up over-tasking yourself out of productivity. Instead, focus on one task at a time, check it off, cross it off and move on to the next. or bring yourself back to your daily goal when you find yourself straying from your priority list.
Never Saying No
For most everyone, the word “no” is taboo, and the habit of saying yes to everything seems to stay in the back of our minds for all things career-related. Make it a habit to get comfortable with saying no. Not every client is worth taking. Not every idea is worth pursuing. Not every task should be yours for the taking. The moment you start saying no, the moment you’ll become more efficient and more effective with your time.
Always Running Late
Maybe you went out with friends for dinner and drinks, or stayed up super late binge watching that awesome Netflix show. No matter what you did the night before, it’s important to show up ready to work when you’re supposed to be there. If you’re late to work or meetings, it makes you look like you don’t respect others’ time or like you just don’t care.
Changing bad habits at work will improve your creativity, productivity and ultimately your business’ success. Ditch those bad work habits that are undermining your work life. We promise that even crossing just one off the list will make your work life a million times better.
