20 Unproductive Habits
You Should Let Go of
Do you feel like everyone
around you is getting stuff done, and you’re, well, not? It’s likely you’ve got
one (or several) unproductive habits that aren’t helping matters. Below is a round-up
of 20 common unproductive habits you should let go of, stat.
1.
Allowing distractions.
Distractions are something we
all face–but there’s no law saying you have to cater to them. Just because
someone calls, texts, or knocks on your door doesn’t mean you have to drop what
you’re doing right that second. You can get back to them during your next
break.
2. Not setting
goals.
Until you turn what you want into concrete goals to achieve,
it’s likely they’ll remain a vague generalization you’ll sigh about from time
to time.
3. Setting too
many goals.
On the flip side, you don’t want to set so many goals you’re
unable to focus a solid amount of time on them–this sorta defeats the purpose.
Quality over quantity always wins out.
4.
Procrastinating.
The more you put something off, the less you’re going to feel
like doing it. Trust me: the relief you feel once it’s done is well worth the
temporary torture.
5. Watching too
much television.
If you feel more connected to the characters on your shows than
your real friends, it might be time to switch things up a bit.
6. Skipping
meals.
There were days I’d get so into what I was writing, I’d forget
to eat! (Gasp! I know, right?) Without proper nutrition you send your adrenal
glands into overdrive, which depletes your energy and eventually leads to
burn-out.
7. Spending
recklessly.
When your finances are in disarray, you don’t stand a chance.
Keeping your finances organized should be as much a priority as your health.
8. Dropping
everything for other people.
You are in complete control of your life. Respect your time–it’s
your most valuable commodity.
9. Not writing
anything down.
Writing things down helps you remember what you need (and want)
to accomplish. Plus, it’s the best way to keep your mind clear to focus on what
you’re doing in the moment.
10. Not having
structure.
You don’t need to set a rigid schedule for yourself, Sergeant
Crazy! Creating a general morning and evening routine will give you creative
pillars to depend on so you can take more risks throughout the day.
11. Not taking
breaks.
Your mind and body need a chance to rest, no matter how brief.
When you start feeling restless, take a small breather to regroup instead of
burning out entirely.
12.
Multitasking.
Again and again, studies show dividing your focus leads to lower
quality work, and not to mention, loads of mental stress. Single-tasking not
only gives your noggin a rest, it also gives you a greater sense of
accomplishment.
13. Making time
for personal tasks.
What’s the point of working hard if you’re not reaping the
rewards in your personal life? During busier times, at least make sure the bare
minimum is taken care of–bill paying, dish cleaning, laundry doing–so your home
doesn’t represent your stress level.
14.
Over-committing.
Ambition or excitement can too easily get the best of you,
causing you to say, “Yes!” to every idea thrown at you. Instead, say “I’ll get
back to you.” This will give you time to look over your obligations to see if
you really do have the time.
15. Trying to
be perfect.
Ah, the dreaded unicorn: perfection. We know it doesn’t exist,
yet we still agonize over every little detail, wasting time that should be
spent on more important tasks. We should really just stop it.
16. Avoiding
decisions.
Tough decisions are,you know, tough. But if you don’t make them,
someone or something will make the decision for you.
17. Consuming
unnecessary information.
I find mental clutter to be more overwhelming than physical
clutter. Learn the power of one: one email address, one checking account, one
savings account. Cut back on the mailing lists you subscribe to so you can
focus on what’s really important.
18. Neglecting
your health.
Your ambition’s useless when you’re exhausted. Eat healthy
foods, exercise regularly, and most importantly, do everything you can to
create a consistent sleep pattern.
19. Starting
something and not finishing it.
Break every project you’re working on into such small pieces
you’re not intimidated by the process of finishing the task. The last 10
percent of the task will always take 90 percent of your energy, so make it
count!
20. Failing to
admit your mistakes.
Denying your mistakes or blaming others for your problems will
do nothing to improve your life or help you reach your goals. Acknowledge your
mistakes so that you can learn from them and move on.
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/20-unproductive-habits-you-should-let.html
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