Break That Bad Work Habit

From excessive procrastination to extremely poor organisational skills, cultivating bad work habits can spell the end of progress in your career. Are you guilty of any?

In the office, habits such as procrastinating, laziness and sloppiness can go beyond annoying your co-workers; they can in fact damage your career or any chance of progressing up the corporate ladder.

Nail biting, gum chewing, talking non-stop over the phone - admit it, who doesn't have at least one bad habit that drives the next person up the wall? Sure, some of these habits can be annoying to those near you at times. But while your friends may be able to tolerate them, some habits are just not acceptable in an office environment.

In the office, habits such as procrastinating, laziness and sloppiness can go beyond annoying your co-workers; they can in fact damage your career or any chance of progressing up the corporate ladder.

So do yourself and your career a favour - suss out our list of bad work habits and see if you are guilty or any. And if the answer is yes, heed our tips on how you can turn that habit around to be in control of your career in the future.

BAD HABIT Missing Deadlines

YOU THINK "Oh, what is one day later? It is not like they need it that urgently."

THEY THINK "Don't trust her; she never meets her end of the deal and is always the reason why our work is back logged."

WHY IT WILL HURT YOUR CAREER not meeting deadlines says only one thing about you - unreliable. Missing your deadlines once is excusable; however, being a repeat offender just says that you can't be bothered to respect the timeline that has been given to your project or to your work. When this becomes a known fact, especially to your boss, you can be sure that you will no longer be asked to head any account or even be given remotely important tasks for the very fact that you probably would not do them in time.

From excessive procrastination to extremely poor organisational skills, cultivating bad work habits can spell the end of progress in your career. Are you guilty of any?

BREAK THIS HABIT NOW

The first thing you need to do is to not view deadlines as negotiable. Deadlines are set for a certain reason - to meet the workflow that is going through the office and making sure everything is set in place. When you miss one deadline, this can actually ruin the timeline for everyone, so think of the consequences before you decide to slack off for just one day. Also, remind yourself that others are counting on you to meet your deadline. Your co-workers will definitely not appreciate it if you are the reason why they are staying back later at night doing the work that you've missed.

BAD HABIT Doing Everything Else But "Work

YOU THINK "I can do work later; let me check my personal e-mails/ chat online/go shopping first."

THEY THINK "There she goes again - slacking off."

WHY IT WILL HURT YOUR CAREER Pure laziness will take you nowhere - that is a well-known fact. And when it comes to your career, laziness will definitely be a bane in your career. Nobody wants to work with or hire someone lazy, so this bad habit of yours won't take you far in your career.

BREAK THIS HABIT NOW Remember that employers like to see some form of initiative in everything you do; this trait will definitely get you ahead. Is your undesirability to work a result of something else? Not being motivated or challenged at work can turn someone into a lazy employee. When there is nothing to look forward to.

Alternatively, do you find it difficult to concentrate at work, hence doing other things to take your mind away from the task at hand?

Identify what the problems are so that you can solve the problem right at the root of it.

BAD HABIT Dressing Inappropriately

YOU THINK "Oh, I just bought a new mini skirt. I must show it off at work."

THEY THINK "What is she thinking, coming to work dressed like she is on her way to a party?"

WHY IT WILL HURT YOUR CAREER First impressions make a difference. Dress like you mean business, and your co-workers plus your boss will begin to take you seriously. Dress like you does in the dark, and chances are nobody wants to give a serious task to a slob like you. Dress like you are on your way to a party, and everyone is bound to never take you seriously.

BREAK THIS HABIT NOW How a person dresses can make a lot of difference. After all, what you wear will send a certain message to others. If you want your co-workers to take you seriously, then start dressing like someone in a managerial position would.

Make sure you dress for the industry - if you work in a creative line, you are allowed to wear jeans but do this tastefully. Part of the corporate culture? Then make sure you spruce up in a nice suit that spells professionalism.

BAD HABIT Gossiping

YOU THINK "Oh, did you hear about Shery. You've got to hear this."

THEYTHINK "Why can't she stop talking about other people? Doesn't she have work to do?"

WHY IT WILL HURT YOUR CAREER Nobody likes someone who gossips, definitely not one in the office who does nothing but talks behind everyone's back. Also, spreading rumours that are obviously not true can put you in trouble if it comes to light.

BREAK THIS HABIT NOW We all indulge in gossiping once in a while as it is after all human nature. But this shouldn't be your livelihood, especially not in the office. If you don't put a stop to your gossiping, you will soon be known as a person who cannot be trusted with confidential matters. Co-workers will then be wary of what they tell you - whether it is personal or work-related.

BAD HABIT Complaining About Everything

YOU THINK "Oh, I hate working on this account. Nobody knows what they are doing. The client is so clueless. I even hate how our office looks."

THEY THINK

"There she goes again, complaining about every little thing. Doesn't she realise how annoying that is?"

WHY IT WILL HURT YOUR CAREER

Being negative helps no one in any circumstance. Griping and moaning about every little thing will make you an unpleasant person to be around. And if this is something you do too often, people will be wondering' why don't you just quit and do yourself (and them) a huge favour,

BREAK THIS HABIT NOW It is normal to gripe once every while but if you complain each time you are asked to do something, you can be sure you won'· be impressing your boss. Every employer wants someone who is positive and motivated; not someone who is depressed and grumbling all the time, If you don't stop your habit, you will eventually end up with nobody liking you in the office, no respect from your boss and no chance of climbing the ladder. Now, wouldn't that be something you would love to gripe about?

Do any of these sound familiar to you? Then, take note of what you have to do to break your habit once and for all. This is your career we are talking about, after all

While work can be mundane or frustrating, remember this - work isn't always fun.

So the best way to deal with this - keep your complaints to a minimum and remember that it is just works, after all.