The Impact of Bad Habits on Your Work

Rev. Dr. Kitty Boitnott, NBCT, RScP

Heart-Centered Career and Job Search Coach | Life Strategies Coaching

We are all creatures of habit. And the truth is that some habits are good and some are not good for us. But because they are habits, we tend to engage in them regardless of their positive or negative impact on us. 

It is also true that we engage in some habits at work, and the same holds true. Some work habits may help us while we engage in others to our own detriment.

You may not even realize that some of the bad habits you've developed over your lifetime are causing you problems at work. Some of the habits below, however, demonstrate how your [bad[ habits may be affecting your job (or business) if you're not aware.

Lack of Sleep

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 may be making a big mistake. Not sleeping enough at night not only impacts your performance at work but, it can also cause health problems - including cardiovascular disease.

Not Eating Breakfast

While you don't have to eat a giant breakfast at the crack of dawn to be healthy, at some point during the morning you should eat something - even if it is just a banana with some peanut butter with it. When you don't eat when you're hungry, you can cause your body to be weak and your brain unable to focus.

Reading Emails Constantly

Even at work, you should not check your email all the time. Checking email (and social media) is a trap that might take you down a rabbit hole of no return. Instead, set a timer to check your email and social media or any other communication channel just three or four times a day at set times.

Sitting for Long Periods of Time

It often can't be helped, but if you sit for work and then go home and sit some more, you're making a big mistake. This habit can negatively impact your health and make it hard for you to do your job. Find ways to move around the office more, whether it's taking the steps or volunteering for the food runs so you can walk around some.

Complaining about Everything

This can be a habit that really sneaks up on you. You may not even realize that you are doing it. However, most people tend to complain more openly than they express joy openly. In order to stop doing this, recognize the behavior and say something nice instead of something negative.

Comparing Yourself to Others

Anytime you start comparing yourself to others, it is a mistake. It is also dangerous. The reason it is so bad is that you have no idea what the person has really experienced in their life or what happens to them at home. You cannot compare because so there are so many varibles. It can erode your confidence and cause you to second guess yourself, making you feel incompetent.

Thinking You're a Great Multitasker

Here is some news for you; no one is good at multitasking. If you are trying to multitask - even if it is required at work, it is going to be hard to get things done accurately. Multitasking is the curse of mediocracy. Do what you can to get out of that situation so that you can do your best work by fully focusing and being mindful about one thing at a time.

If you can replace these bad habits with good ones, you may end up becoming irreplaceable at work or you might boost your business to the next level. The main thing you want to do is to at least recognize which bad habits you have so that you can plan to combat them with good habits.

P. S.

Are you thinking about whether you want to return to teaching this fall or if you want to make a change?

If you are interested in learning how to "Jumpstart You Job Search" you want to join me for a Webinar Workshop that I will be hosting on August 11, 2022, at 7:00 PM EST. To register, click here:  https://event.webinarjam.com/register/51/37l4qanx

Let me know if you have any questions about it.

Kitty