3 Bad Work Habits to Break

When starting a new job, usually you're on your best behavior. But over time, you may begin to develop bad habits without even realizing it. Before you know it, these habitual actions can limit your productivity and overall work ethic. 

Since it's a new year, it's time to start fresh and kick those shake up your routine. Here are some bad habits you may have at work and how to break them.

1. You Need Coffee to Be Productive
Let's face it, caffeine is addictive. Some workers need several cups of coffee to just get through the day's work. And while there's something to be said for enjoying a drink you like, too much coffee can actually do more harm than good. Caffeine can make a stressful situation even worse. It makes your blood pressure rise and spikes levels of adrenaline – both of which can make you more uptight and stressed. In addition, it doesn't go away after you leave the office. Have you ever found yourself lying awake in bed unable to fall asleep? The four cups of coffee you drank at the office could be why. 

When it comes to limiting coffee drinking, start small. For instance, stop drinking it after lunchtime – so, let's say 1 p.m. When you need a little boost, try herbal green tea or a cold glass of water. These will hydrate your body, not dehydrate it like coffee does. That way, you'll perk up and be ready to finish the day strong. 

2. You Arrive Just on Time
Have you ever walked into work at exactly 9 a.m.? While being on time is by no means a bad thing, there's so much more you can gain from arriving early. Even if you walk in 15 minutes early, it gives you just that little more time needed to start the day off on the right foot. With that 15 minutes, you can answer emails that have been piling up, write yourself a note, organize your desk or even make yourself breakfast. Those extra moments can really set the tone for the kind of work day you will have.

In addition, having that time without the whole office bustling will allow you to be extremely productive. Then, by the time your co-workers arrive, you'll already be ahead of the game. 

3. You Gab With Co-Workers
You may love chatting with your office mates, and you should definitely make time to do that. However, as time goes on, talking to co-workers may be eating up a large portion of your day. Instead of leaning over to tell your neighbor something or chatting him or her when something comes to mind, try and save it for lunchtime. Of course, this only applies if what you were going to say isn't work-related or urgent. Saving most of your social interactions for lunch will allow you to completely focus on work without any interruptions. Not only will this help your productivity, but it will also have a positive impact on your lunch break. Make a rule to not discuss any kind of work at lunch. That way, you'll be able to keep your work and personal life separate, said Career Realism.