Aiming to do better at work this year? If you're raring to make a splash and impress your bosses and coworkers, you can start by ditching some bad work habits:
1. Arriving late to the office.
It's a familiar scenario, but it should be the first to go among your bad work habits. Tardiness has significant effects not just on your performance, but also on the business as a whole. This year must be the year you cultivate a morning habit and work on your punctuality.
Also read: Early Risers Success: Morning Routines To Copy From Wealthy, Productive CEOs
2. Procrastinating and getting distracted on social media.
The more you put off a task, the less likely you're going to find time to do it. What's stopping you from delivering for this particular project? Were the objectives unclear? Is it too tedious? Do you not know or lack the skills to start it? There should be an option or a compromise. Talk with your boss for any adjustments or have a coworker assist you.
"Choosing to voluntarily delay in spite of our intention reflects a basic breakdown in our self-regulation. This breakdown occurs most often when we are faced with a task that is viewed as aversive (that is, boring, frustrating, lacking meaning and/or structure), and therefore leads to unpleasant feelings or negative mood," says Tim Pychyl in the book "Solving The Procrastination Puzzle: A Concise Guide To Strategies For Change," via Live Mint.
As much as it is unprofessional, being active on social media is also a productivity killer. You should only check your profiles during break time, so turn this habit off while at work. The same goes for instant messaging apps and texting with friends and family.
3. Not taking breaks.
Several studies have pointed out the unhealthy ways too much sitting can affect the body, which is why getting up from your desk for a few times in a day is imperative. You've got to stretch your muscles, but also zone out from tasks. You'll find that you will be able to accomplish more when you do this. Even if you have a million things to do, taking a break can be great for your productivity in the long run.
Go on vacation and take your sick days too. You should focus on work, but this shouldn't solely take up your life.
Also read: Sitting, Health: 5 Desk Exercises To Do If You're Sitting Too Much (VIDEO)
4. Gossiping.
Talking about your gripes at work is unproductive and destructive. Worse, you can end up in a legal entanglement. Instead of gossiping, take the matter to your immediate boss and let them know of your concerns. Proper communication between management and employees is the best way to address rumors and gossips.
"One of my supervisors had a great motto. She would always said, 'Save it for the bus' - basically, don't talk about work stuff in the vicinity of work," said a 34-year-old Lindsey, an editor, via Refinery29.
5. Skipping socialization with coworkers.
You might see your colleagues at work as simply coworkers whom you cannot be friends with off-hours. So, you skip drink or party invites and withdraw in your own cubicle when the others are celebrating someone's birthday at the conference room. Be more open to socializing with coworkers this year, as it can help build better team rapport. A study revealed that it can also bring more work satisfaction and accomplishment. Everybody wins with this kind of attitude.
Also read: Extrovert Jobs: How To Thrive In An Introverted Workplace
