5 Habits That May Be Holding You Back - Part 5

 

 

Make sure that your work habits aren't keeping you from the success you want.

 

Everyone wants to be successful, no matter what their job title is or how many or how few degrees they have. Trying to get ahead in your personal life and in your career is something that almost all of us struggle with. Climbing to the top or finding the job of your dreams can be tricky and, in spite of our best efforts, it can seem as though we are just spinning our wheels without seeing the results we had envisioned.

 

However, the reason that so many of us aren't reaching our full potential could be because of some bad work habits we have picked up along the way. In this series, we have been talking about the 5 main habits that keep people from reaching their goals.

 

In this final installment, let's take a look at the number 1 worst habit, out of the 5 work habits that might be holding you back:

 

Negative Attitude

 

This one deserves the top spot on our list because all of the other four habits, like procrastination or resistance to change, all end up right here at having a negative attitude about your work, the company you work for, your co-workers and even spreads the negativity to other areas of your life.

 

At the office, when you greet each new idea and every challenge with negativity, you don't just annoy your co-workers and damage your own career success, but you also put a damper on the workplace atmosphere and the success of the group as a whole. Negative attitudes are contagious and it only takes one negative person to bring down the collective group.

 

The thing is, the people who have bad attitudes don't even realize that they are drowning themselves in their own negativity. Instead, they see themselves as realists. They think that they are doing everyone a favor by not getting too excited or letting enthusiasm run amok. What they don't realize is that they are, in reality, a great big buzz kill.

 

Enthusiasm is contagious too, and every office or workplace needs a hefty dose of it.

Some people argue that some negativity, in order to keep expectations realistic, is a more mentally sound and healthier outlook. The thought is that by avoiding getting their hopes up, they are able to keep from being constantly disappointed by reality. I'm not sure if that's true, but I do know that people who are optimistic and have a positive outlook are happier, they live longer, achieve more and in general, get things done.

 

If you are a pessimist, or even just a “realist” who tries to be the voice of reason at every meeting, think about what it is doing for you. Is the habit making you a happier person? Does it benefit your life? Has it helped you to achieve your goals?

 

If this attitude isn't bringing you any real and lasting benefit, why not try adopting an optimistic attitude. If you aren't sure that you can go that far, at least try not to voice your negative opinions at work. If you stop the negativity, you'll probably discover that suddenly your co-workers are a whole lot nicer to you.

 

Next, try to make a positive comment every time you want to say something negative. It sounds difficult, but there is something positive to be said about almost any situation.

 

If you practice this every day, don't be surprised when your boss starts asking you for your opinion or asking for your help on an important job. A positive “can-do” attitude always impresses management and makes you look professional.

 

Just a warning though, before you attempt this little “experiment”, a positive attitude is contagious and even if you weren't really feeling it in the beginning, you'll start to have trouble wiping the smile off of your face when the trial is over.

 

What do you think about these bad work habits? Do you think that you are guilty of any of them? If so, how do you work through them? I would love to hear your suggestions in the comments.

 

 

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for LogisticsJobsiteBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.