Are you seeing the #NewYearNewMe hashtag all over your social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter? It%u2019s officially a new year and many of us see it as a fresh start. Have you reflected on the achievements of 2018 and set some new goals for 2019 yet? There is no better time to do it than the beginning of the year.

Well, if you are one of those who consistently failed to achieve your new year%u2019s resolutions, it%u2019s time to learn the importance of setting realistic goals. Try breaking big goals into small actionable steps and practice good habits to stay on track. So, no matter what goals you%u2019ve set for this new year %u2013 from being a better person to landing a better job %u2013 ditching some bad work habits can definitely do you good.

Check out these 10 bad work habits that you should totally get rid of:

1. Immersing yourself in the gossip zone

Stop wasting your time in gossiping with others at work. Don%u2019t be the irritating person who creates unnecessary tension and drama among colleagues. Instead, focus on your work and keep yourself busy with productive tasks. Remember that you%u2019re not only wasting your own time, but also disturbing others who don%u2019t even want to get involved in the first place.

2. Too much complaining

it%u2019s okay to share your frustration at work with others, but too much of it can make you an annoying colleague. If something is beyond your control, try to be more adaptable instead of complaining non-stop about it. Life doesn%u2019t always go your way and acceptance of a situation helps you to keep a positive outlook to life%u2019s changes.

Focus your efforts on things you can change. For example, learn to say no if you find the deadline unacceptable and suggest an alternative. Don%u2019t just accept and complain about it later on.

3. Being too hard on yourself

Sometimes, people don%u2019t notice how hard they are on themselves. While it%u2019s good to set the bar high for yourself, but stressing yourself out might keep you further away from reaching your goals.

Have realistic expectations and know that it%u2019s okay to make mistakes. Don%u2019t keep dwelling on your mistakes and feel discouraged. Take each mistake as a learning opportunity instead.

4. Skipping your break too often

Are you one of those who always skip lunch break and typing away at your desk during lunch hour? It%u2019s time to change! According to research, taking lunch break is more important than you thought. Give yourself a break from work and take this opportunity to know your colleagues better. Try to have a balanced meal so that you won%u2019t get the after-lunch sluggishness.

5. Neglecting the importance of interaction

Personal time is essential especially for introverts. However, keeping to yourself all the time at work may not be healthy. It%u2019s important to be a team player and collaborate with others to improve efficiency at work. Try to initiate conversations with your colleagues and know them on a personal level if possible. By having a good relationship with them, it%u2019s definitely more delightful to work together. You might get some new ideas and knowledge from them too!

6. Procrastinating

Stop telling yourself that there is always tomorrow. Instead, ask yourself why leave it till tomorrow when you can get it done now? Nothing good comes from procrastination, you%u2019ll end up feeling stressed for having so much backlog to clear. If you have a lot on your plate, try to break the toughest task to smaller bits and move your way up.

7. Working when you%u2019re sick

You might think that dragging your sick self to the office and force yourself to work is showing good work ethic, but the truth is that you%u2019re exposing your colleagues to your contagious germs.

If you%u2019re really sick, you should probably stay at home and rest instead of spreading your sickness to other people in the office. Furthermore, trying to work when you%u2019re sick isn%u2019t a good idea. Allow yourself to rest and recover before heading back to work.

8. Taking too many breaks

Taking too many breaks during working hours is definitely a bad habit that you should ditch. While it%u2019s okay to take a 5-min break from your desk to go to the bathroom, or get a cup of coffee from the pantry, but disappearing from your desk for 30-min or longer a few times a day is concerning. Your boss won%u2019t be happy especially when he or she needs you for something urgently. Try to space out your break time throughout the day to keep yourself fresh and energetic.

9. Spending too much on overpriced food and lattes

It%u2019s tempting to get salads from the fancy restaurant across the street. Or getting a cup of overpriced latte from the cafe downstairs. But do you really need that so often? Perhaps it%u2019s a good time to start packing your own lunch and making coffee at the pantry! You%u2019ll be surprised by how much you get to save.

10. Stop learning new things

If you%u2019ve been in a job for a while, you tend to get a little complacent. It%u2019s dangerous for your career to think that you know what you%u2019re doing and you%u2019ve learned everything you possibly can. Always seek out ways to challenge yourself, for example, go for a workshop, take an online course, or even just read up on the latest news in your industry.

Are you looking for a new job in the Philippines or abroad this new year? Try Bossjob, the only platform which rewards your job search!

Photo by Manan Chhabra on Unsplash

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