Breaking Bad Work Habits: The 5 Step Program

Do you smoke? Overindulge? Bite your nails? Or are your bad habits limited to things you do at work: things like arriving a bit late, leaving a little early, keeping your work area disorganized or putting off doing the work you like the least?

If you've found yourself spiraling downward into the abyss of bad habits, you're not alone. It's easy to become complacent or to repeat behavior if there are no negative consequences. And even then, we can sometimes be convinced that the consequences are not so bad that we need to change.

But what if you were faced with the prospect of losing your job? Would that convince you enough to break your bad habit? If so, then read further to learn five tips for breaking your bad work habits now, before something that dramatic happens.

Acknowledge Your Bad Habits

One of the first steps toward recovery is to acknowledge that you have a problem to begin with. The same is true with a bad habit. If you don't recognize what you are doing as being detrimental to your work life, then you will have no reason to break your bad habit.

Even though no one is going to ask you to step before a podium and announce your problem to the world, you need to be able to admit to yourself that something needs to change. Once you do that, you can move forward.

Ask Why You Do It

This is a simple question, but the underlying reason why you do something is not always apparent. For instance, if the bad work habit that you would like to break is your procrastination, than you need to ask yourself why you do it. There must be a reason behind putting off doing something you know you should do and that you will ultimately have to do anyway.

Perhaps it's something so unpleasant that you just cannot fathom having to do it. Or maybe you know that putting it off causes a headache for a co-worker you secretly dislike. Maybe you don't see the importance of the project. Whatever you ultimately discover, it will help you understand your motivation.

Determine if There is an Available Substitution

Sometimes one of the best ways to break a bad habit is to find a better substitution, such as chewing gum in place of smoking. After you have looked at why you have this bad habit, look at what you might be able to do to replace it.

For instance, if you discover the reason you procrastinate about completing a project is because you don't see it as important, consider asking your boss why the project has to be done. This may help you gain clarity as to why your boss feels it is important and convince you to get on board (or it may help you to determine if there is an alternative way of doing things).

Ask What Will Happen if You Don't Change

One of the biggest reasons why someone doesn't eliminate a bad habit is that there is no reason for them to do so. If there is no negative impact, there is no motivation. In order to willingly break a bad habit, you have to feel compelled to alter your behavior because either it no longer serves its purpose or the consequences of continuing are worse than giving it up.

If you discover that your procrastination will cause problems for your boss, someone you like and greatly admire, you are more likely to push through and do what needs to be done. It's like finding out that you might lose your job; you're likely to get motivated to change.

Eliminate the Habit

The last step in the process is to consciously eliminate the habit. Take it in small steps if you need to. Don't beat yourself up if you back slide and make a mistake. Don't expect miracles or expect change to happen overnight. Be patient, acknowledge it, and move on.

The whole idea behind breaking bad work habits is to get started. That's usually the toughest part. Know that you are not alone and that given time, you will succeed.