What Are the Consequences of Bad Habits in Your Work? A Guide To Getting Yourself Out of A Rut and Get Your Rockstar Groove Back

Do you have bad habits that make your work experience less than ideal? You may not even realize that some of the bad habits you've developed over your lifetime are affecting your job or business in a negative way. However, if you have any of the habits below, you may be affecting your job (or business) without realizing it.

Common bad habits that can cause issues at work include procrastination, failing to meet deadlines, disorganization, forgetting to complete important tasks on time, and a short temper when interacting with coworkers and clients.

If left unchecked, these bad habits can negatively impact your performance at work, reduce your productivity, make it difficult to meet management-set goals and expectations, or even damage relationships with your coworkers. To prevent these consequences and maintain a healthy work environment, it's important to identify and address negative behavior patterns promptly.

One way to get yourself out of a rut and get your “rockstar groove” back is to track how your bad habits affect your work. To help you identify those habits, here are just a few examples:

Not Eating Breakfast or Skipping Meals

While you don't have to eat a big breakfast at 5 a.m. to be healthy, you should consume something—even if it's just a banana with peanut butter on it—at some time during the morning. You can weaken your body and impair your concentration by not eating when you're hungry.

If you find yourself skipping meals or skipping breakfast, set a reminder on your phone or computer to eat something in the morning. You can also pack a healthy lunch and snacks to have at work so you're less likely to make unhealthy choices when you're hungry.

How To Make Sure You Stay Nourished Throughout The Day

If you're not used to eating breakfast, it can be tough to get into the habit of doing so. And if you don't have time to eat before work, you need to fix that ASAP! There are a few things you can do to make sure you're staying nourished throughout the day:

• Keep healthy snacks at your desk. Whether it's a piece of fruit, nuts and seeds, or a protein bar, keeping healthy snacks on hand helps keep you energized throughout the day.
• Pack yourself a healthy lunch. Instead of grabbing fast food or vending machine snacks when you're hungry, make sure you have a healthy packed lunch to eat during your break.
• Set reminders on your phone or computer. If you have trouble remembering to eat when you're busy, set a morning reminder that will prompt you to eat every few hours. I use Apple Reminders.

Don't forget to drink water, too!! Dehydration is just as bad for your brain and body as hunger, so it's crucial that you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water during the day. Here's my favorite glass water bottle and my favorite stainless steel water bottle. 

Procrastination

Do you find yourself putting off tasks rather than tackling them immediately? This can be especially dangerous when deadlines are approaching, as it only worsens the problem and increases stress. Putting off particular chores until the last minute may leave you feeling pressed and tense at home, which might affect your ability to work effectively at work.

How To Fix Procrastination

• Eat that frog. The first step is to simply start. Complete the task as quickly as possible.
• Break the task into smaller chunks. If the task seems overwhelming, break it down into smaller goals that you can complete more easily.
• Set a time limit. Once you've started the task, set a timer for a specific duration and work until it expires.
• Remove distractions. Make sure you're not working in an environment with too many distractions that could pull your focus away from the task at hand.
• Get organized. Organize your workspace and create a plan of action before starting a project to stay on track.

Disorganization

Are you often so busy that you end up misplacing or forgetting about important tasks? This can cause significant stress, especially as deadlines approach and you scramble to get things done. To avoid this type of situation, it's important to stay organized and have a clear plan for prioritizing your time and completing each task on time.

How To Be More Organized With Your Time

• Invest in a planner. This will help you keep track of deadlines, meetings, and other important events. The calendar on your phone is a great place to start, especially if it syncs across all of your devices.
• Create to-do lists. A to-do list can be a great way to ensure that you're prioritizing your time wisely and not forgetting any important tasks. However, don't make the mistake of creating a long list with every item being a priority. What can you really accomplish? Which task will move your business forward?
• Set aside time each day to plan. Spend a few minutes each day planning out your to-do list for the day or week ahead. This will help you stay organized and on track. Use that new planner you just purchased *wink* and block out some time. Call it your CEO time.
• Keep a tidy workspace. A cluttered desk can lead to a cluttered mind. Keep your workspace clean and organized to focus on your work. If it doesn't serve a purpose, eliminate it.
• Take breaks. Don't try to pack your entire day with activities. Take breaks to refresh your mind and stay motivated. You have more control over your time than you think. Listen to your body when it is telling you to rest.

Lack of Sleep or Rest

Not getting enough sleep can leave you feeling tired, unfocused, and irritable—none of which are good qualities for being productive! If you have the bad habit of staying up late because you see yourself as a night owl, but you have to get up early to go to work, you are making a huge mistake. Not sleeping enough at night can not only impact your performance at work, but it could also cause health problems – including cardiovascular disease. 

Working non-stop can lead to burnout, and it's important to take a few minutes here and there to recharge. Whether it's getting up to stretch your legs or taking a quick walk around the block, giving yourself a break can make a big difference in your productivity.

How To Get More Rest

• Make sleep a priority. It's important to ensure you get enough sleep each night so you can perform at your best during the day. Coffee is never a substitute for a good night's rest! If you can, take a nap in the afternoon.
• Create a bedtime routine. A relaxing bedtime routine can help you wind down at night and prepare for sleep. For me, it's putting lavender essential oil in a diffuser, turning on Tibetan singing bowls, and focusing my mind to fall asleep. It works for me, but what is effective for you? You're more likely to keep at it if you find something that works.
• Turn off electronics before bed. Blue light from screens can disrupt your sleep, so make sure to turn off your phone, computer, and TV at least 1 hour before bed.

If you read on your tablet or iPad, change the setting to help your eyes adjust. Hey, it's a compromise.

• Get some exercise each day. Exercise is a great way to boost your energy levels when you're feeling tired and drained. Try fitting in a walk, run, or another form of physical activity each day. Thirty minutes is all you need.

Multitasking

It's tempting to try and take on several tasks at once, but this can actually make it difficult to focus on any one thing—and you could end up doing everything poorly as a result!

Here is some news for you: no one is good at multitasking. If you are trying to multitask – even if it's required at work, it's going to be hard to do everything accurately. Multitasking is the curse of doing things halfway. Do what you can to get out of that situation so you can do your best work by focusing on one task at a time and staying mindful.

How To Stop Multitasking And Get More Done

• Set aside some time each day to focus on one task. This will help you stay organized and focused, and may help you get more work done. When you need to switch processes, you must interrupt your current one. This consumes time and can be costly, so attempt to avoid it whenever feasible.
• Use a Pomodoro Timer. This timer helps you stay on track with tasks by setting a specific time limit for each one. There are many apps to choose from, but your phone's timer is just as effective.
• Eliminate distractions. Make sure you're not multitasking by eliminating potential distractions. This means turning off your phone, closing your email, and putting away anything that could distract you from the task at hand.
• Reduce interruptions. If you work in an open office, try working from a coffee shop or library to avoid distractions. Can't get to a library or coffee shop? Get some noise-canceling headphones and let everyone in the house know you're unavailable. You'd be surprised at how people will adapt.

Complaining about Everything

It can be easy to slip into the habit of complaining more than you express joy. This is something that most people do without realizing it. To stop doing this, recognize when you are behaving this way and say something positive rather than something negative.

How To Show Up Each Day Filled With Gratitude

• Start your day off with gratitude. Each morning, write down three things that you're grateful for in a journal. This will help shift your mindset and set the tone for the rest of the day. It may be as simple as burning incense and affirming your day, “Today is going to be a fantastic day!”
• Compliment others often. Instead of complaining about someone, take the time to compliment them instead. This could be something as simple as saying, “I really appreciate your hard work on this project.”
• Focus on the positive. When you find yourself dwelling on the negative, take a step back and focus on all of the good in your life. This could be anything from your health to your relationships.

Comparing Yourself to Others

It's a mistake to compare yourself to other people. It's a dangerous mistake because you don't know what they have experienced or what goes on at their home. You can't compare because so much is different. Comparing yourself can erode confidence and make you seem incompetent.

How To Show Yourself More Love and Grace

• Stop comparing yourself to others. This is easier said than done, but it's important to focus on your own journey rather than comparing your progress to someone else's.
• Practice self-compassion. Be gentle with yourself and cut yourself some slack. We all make mistakes and have bad days. If you wouldn't say it to your bestie, don't say it to yourself!
• Focus on your own happiness. Instead of looking at what others have, focus on what makes you happy. This could be anything from your favorite hobby to time spent with loved ones. I like having a dance party in my living room every day at noon (that's the Alexa mid-day routine!), busting out the watercolors, or putting on my favorite shade of lipstick.

Conclusion

If any of these sound familiar, don't worry—you're not alone. The good news is that bad habits can be broken with some effort and planning. By becoming aware of your habits and taking steps to change them, you can make a big impact on your work life—and your overall satisfaction with your career.

Whatever your bad habits may be, the key is to identify them and eliminate them so you can be more successful in your business. After all, it's only by identifying our weaknesses that we can take steps to improve ourselves. So, take some time today to reflect on any bad habits you may have—and start working on breaking them!

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