Want Success In The New Year? Give Up The Bad Habits For Good

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Want Success In The New Year? Give Up The Bad Habits For Good
By: Max Izenberg
Issue: January/Expo 2010

“The unfortunate thing about this world is that good habits are so much easier to give up than bad ones.” — Somerset Maugham

Being human, we are all creatures of habit. Of course not all habits are bad; we know that successful people generally have good habits. Consider the office receptionist with her impeccable time management and multitasking skills, or the manager who not only handles a busy workload but also lends a helping hand to her team—and makes it all look easy. We may even look up to these successful role models as we form our own New Year’s resolutions for the workplace.

As we begin to visualize an improved version of ourselves, how can we throw away the bad habits? The key is to make the commitment more of a possibility instead of a one-time pledge. As Mark Twain said, “Giving up smoking is easy—I’ve done it hundreds of times.”

If you’re guilty of committing the following bad workplace habits, follow these tips and guidelines to get back on the path to personal and professional success.

Tardiness
Are you guilty of showing up late to the office or meetings? This can put the brakes on your career climb. By making little changes you can put an end to this habit. For example, move the time on your clocks forward by five or 10 minutes, or place a note on your mirror that reads, “I will show up on time!” These tips will mentally prepare you to arrive on time and serve as daily motivators.

Make your morning routine easier and more efficient. Eat a quick breakfast at home instead of heading for the drive-thru or set your coffeemaker instead of stopping by the coffee shop. Pick out the clothes you are going to wear the night before to shave a few minutes from your morning routine.

If overcoming tardiness seems overwhelming, try one change and master it. Then gradually add a few others. Soon you’ll be known for showing up early instead of late.

Overeating
Are you guilty of snacking on bad-for-you foods, especially when stuck in a cubicle or behind the wheel of a car? This can lead to sneaky extra pounds, especially if you have to travel for work and eat out often. However, if you want to drop those love handles, start by visualizing yourself a few pounds lighter. Buy new clothes for work that’s a size or two smaller and hang them next to your mirror so you see them each day as you get ready for work. Think how great you will look and feel in the new clothes and imagine your colleagues, friends and relatives seeing you in a different and slimmer light.

Then get into gear and put it in action by bringing lunch to work a few days each week, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Park a little further away from the door. Or, wear a pedometer to keep on the right track to achieving that image. Soon enough you’ll work off those few pounds and become the vision you’ve imagined.

Being Discourteous
Are you guilty of talking on the phone too loudly or wearing too much cologne—to the point of irritating your co-workers? It’s best to stop your discourteous behavior if you want to advance your career.

The first step is being aware of your colleagues’ or clients thoughts and respecting how they feel about you. If you are known as the loud guy or the sales manager who wears too much perfume, it’s time to establish a new reputation. Get to know your officemates so you can understand how they see you. And, if they see you this way, it’s likely your clients see you this way, too. Take the steps to repair your image, whether it’s taking personal calls outside during a break, speaking in a softer voice or easing up on the perfume/cologne.

It’s hard to recognize our own bad habits, much less realize the effect they can have on others, but once you do congratulate yourself. Taking these courteous steps can go a long way.

Smoking
Is your bad habit unhealthy and unpopular? Do you hide your habit from your clients or are you the only smoker in your office? If so you probably know how isolating it feels.

Make this your year to quit, and share your decision with your officemates for increased success. Give them the actual date you plan to quit, and chances are they will help hold you accountable. And, their support may help you create a successful and clean break from smoking. Sharing goals with a supportive community, including friends and family, is an effective way to end toxic habits.

Procrastination
Are you the person who waits until the last possible minute to finish your projects? Do you make everyone wait on pins and needles to see if your work will arrive on time? Unfortunately, procrastinating will not lead you far on your career path. Instead, manage your time instead of letting it manage you.

Use both electronic calendars/reminders and paper calendars to stay on track. Do you need to look at one day at a time, a week at a time or a whole month to stay focused? Choose what works for you. If you are easily distracted by other projects, e-mails and conference calls, schedule a block of time in your appointment book to focus on one project, and only that one project. You can even ask a trusted officemate to hold you accountable for your deadlines. Find a system that works for you and eventually your procrastination habit will disappear.

Being A “Yes” Man Or Woman
Are you the colleague everyone turns to when they need help? While this can be a good thing, it can also suggest that people are taking advantage of your “just-can’t-say-no” nature. In fact, you may be overwhelmed by all the projects and committees you’ve taken on. Now is the time to break that habit and create a goal that works.

If you feel guilty about saying “no” try this exercise: Look into the mirror and practice saying it. Then, prioritize your goals. If you say “yes” to every project, you won’t have time for your own job responsibilities. Make a list of the projects and activities that are necessities for your career, and prioritize the rest. Start saying “no” to those that do not make it into your top five or 10. Soon, you’ll be back in control of your career.

Psychologists agree that breaking bad habits usually takes 30 days, so give yourself the time to change. Realize that it’s up to us to stay accountable for our own actions no matter what time of year we make our promises. In that eternal quest for self-improvement, stick to your guns and ensure that your bad habits do not stand in the way of your success.

Max Izenberg is an author, lecturer and nutrition expert. Her new book, “Reaching for 100,” provides insights on the correlation between good nutrition habits and good health.