Most people are guilty of succumbing to bad work habits at some point in their careers. This could be in the form of procrastinating, poor communication, negativity, tardiness, and more. In today’s blog, we’ll explore some of the most common negative work habits and suggestions and tips on how to break them.
Negativity
Negativity at work can be due to a variety of reasons, like work burnout to not getting along with your co-workers, and will ultimately affect your productivity and job satisfaction. In an article on Indeed, they write, “Try to identify where your bad attitude comes from so you can address it, then work to eliminate the cause. For example, if there is a part of your personal life that is causing you stress, consider taking a couple of days off work to handle it so you can come back to work refreshed. If you’re responsible for a labor-intensive project at work, ask for help and consider other relaxation techniques like deep breaths throughout the day to control the amount of stress you feel.”
Procrastination
It’s easy to let projects and assignments slide until the last minute before they are due, and while some may feel they are more productive when pressed for time, waiting can result in sloppy and incomplete work. Setting a list of priorities is one way to help with procrastination. In an article on Forbes, they write, “Simply choosing one item from your to-do list that you can accomplish quickly then completing it can give you a jump-start and lift the burden of procrastination. You can face your commitments head-on and early instead of waiting until the last minute. If you have several items on your list, you can distinguish between essentials and non-essentials and work through the tasks that need immediate completion one at a time.”
Poor Communication
Poor communication in the workplace can come off as rude, confusing, and ultimately unprofessional. Whether it is verbal or written communication, it’s important to be aware of how you come off to others and address any areas that may need improving. In an article on Harvard, they discuss several ways to improve your communication skills including being clear and concise, preparing ahead of time, being mindful of nonverbal communication, watching your tone, practicing active listening, and building your emotional intelligence.
Tardiness
Things happen and showing up to work late once in a blue moon is inevitable. However, if you are constantly showing up to work late and returning late from lunch breaks, it gives off the appearance you don’t care much about your job or take it seriously. Being prompt, or even a bit early, will show you take your job and others’ time seriously. An article in The Washington Post has several strategies for breaking the habit of tardiness including setting alarms, surrounding yourself with clocks, and creating artificial deadlines.