Did you resolve to get rid of a few bad habits this year only to revert to your old self? If so, you’re not alone. About 80 percent of people drop their resolutions within the second week of February. Change can be tough, but self-loathing won’t help you make the progress you desire.
Instead, Mandy Gilbert, an entrepreneur who specializes in technology and workforce management solutions, asserts that it’s better to look inward at the things you already do rather than mull over what you wish you did. In this issue of Promotional Consultant Today, we highlight Gilbert’s five ways to finally leave bad habits behind.
1. Rest up. It’s important to get proper rest, especially during the workweek. Gilbert says some easy ways to accomplish this include limiting screen time and refraining from answering emails in bed. Burning out due to sleep deprivation leads to several issues, including poor decision making, stalled creativity and irritability. Simply by giving yourself an extra hour or two of restorative sleep, you can drastically improve your drive, alertness and productivity.
2. Take more responsibility. If you didn’t achieve a goal you set for yourself, own up to it. Don’t make excuses. The more you force yourself to be self-aware and held accountable, the more you can strive for change. By taking responsibility for what you want to accomplish, you can also get a clear picture of the areas of your life you can improve. Gilbert notes that change is the first step to breaking bad habits from your daily life.
3. Stop comparing yourself to others. With the prevalence of social media, it’s easy to peer into someone else’s life. Everyone puts their best foot forward, often hiding what’s going on behind the scenes. However, it’s important to remember that your self-worth is not defined by someone else’s successes or failures. Tune out the noise and stay focused on what matters to you.
4. Get real. Don’t set yourself up for failure by establishing unrealistic goals. Lofty goals are great but not at the expense of feeling like you’re constantly letting yourself down or your team down. Burdening yourself with unrealistic expectations and deadlines will only lead to failure and disappointment. Instead, Gilbert recommends setting small, achievable goals that constantly make you feel like you’re winning.
5. Don’t complain. It’s okay to express feelings of discontent from time to time, but don’t let it become a regular habit. No one likes being around a constant complainer, let alone work for one. Use positive thinking as a first response to something not going your way will help you change your situation and move forward.
Don’t let busy schedules and frequent interruptions keep you from kicking your bad habits and achieving your goals. Use the tips above to keep moving forward this year.
Source: Mandy Gilbert is the founder and chief executive of Creative Niche, a company that provides creative staffing and workforce management solutions to multinational corporations as well as major advertising, digital and public relations agencies. She is also the Co-Founder of RED Academy, a technology and design school that specializes in preparing professionals for in-demand technology roles.
