The new year is around the corner, and with it comes a fresh opportunity to elevate your career by shedding any habits holding you back.
Research suggests that breaking a bad habit can take as little as 7 days with consistent effort. So why wait? Commit to your professional growth by leaving these 8 bad habits behind in 2024:
Being a Bystander in Your Own Career
If you’re not standing up for yourself, it’s time to start. Waiting for others to advocate for you? That’s a losing game. Whether it’s clarifying a misunderstanding, addressing how you were treated, or simply speaking up for what you believe in—take charge. You control your own career trajectory.
Being Late
Being late might seem like a minor offense, but it can have far-reaching consequences for your professional reputation. When you consistently show up late—to meetings or deadlines—it sends the message that you don’t value others’ time.
This perception can chip away at how colleagues, managers and clients view you. It can make you appear unreliable or disorganized, even if those traits don’t reflect who you are.
Failing to Hold Yourself (and Others) Accountable
The best teams don’t just work hard—they hold each other accountable. But that starts with you. Follow through on your commitments and expect the same from your team. Accountability isn’t about finger-pointing; it’s about ensuring success.
Constantly Kicking the Can Down the Road
If you’re moving the same task from one day to the next, it’s time to ask why. Is it because you’re overwhelmed? Or is it simply a task you’re avoiding? What impact could finishing that project have on your career, team or company? Break the cycle by breaking tasks into smaller pieces or focusing on the bigger picture. Also, start your day with your most dreaded task.
Falling victim to the “Sunday Scaries”
Does Sunday night fill you with dread? It’s likely because you’re unprepared. The solution? Spend 10 minutes on Friday planning for the week ahead. Create a to-do list, map out meetings, and organize prep work. Take it a step further and look two weeks ahead, creating a timeline for upcoming deadlines.
Comparing Yourself to Others
There’s no faster way to demotivate yourself than by comparing your journey to someone else’s. While a little healthy competition can drive performance, excessive comparison can lead to self-doubt. Instead, focus on your unique strengths and celebrate others’ successes without letting it detract from your own progress.
Making Assumptions
In her infamous TED talk, Dr. Brene Brown talked about the story we tell ourselves. From one interaction, we make an assumption of what the other person we interact with is thinking about us, and we dwell on it for days – rather than just having a conversation with the person and telling them how you’re feeling. On the flip side, never assume someone understood you – have them clarify with you so you know you’re on the same page and can avoid wasted time.
Replaying Failures on Loop
We all make mistakes, but dwelling on them is a surefire way to kill your confidence. If something didn’t go as planned, write down what went wrong, identify what you can learn from it, and move on. Growth often comes from discomfort—embrace it and turn it into action.
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