We've all been there, struggling with bad habits at work and daily routines that seem to hold us back from reaching our full potential. 

Whether you're working remotely or have a traditional office setup, breaking these habits is essential to boost productivity. 

A recent study showed that people with bad habits struggle, when even the smallest thing goes wrong in their life, 42% of them become depressed, angry, or discouraged. It is compared to 7% of people who can tackle bad habits.

So, it's time to take control and make a positive change!

What are bad work habits?

One article from Berkeley Well-being Institute showed that habit refers to any behaviour that we engage in frequently enough to feel almost automatic. We might classify this habit as a "bad habit" if it starts to become undesirable.

As described by Segen's Medical Dictionary, "bad habits" refer to recurring behaviours that are believed to hurt an individual's physical or mental well-being. These habits often stem from a lack of self-discipline and can potentially harm one's overall health and wellness.

Essentially, a bad habit is a behaviour you engage in repeatedly and frequently results in long-term issues despite usually bringing about an immediate sense of happiness.

For example, bad work habits can be like this, when we procrastinate to do our tasks. Further, we don’t even realise that it is a kind of bad habit at work that can prevent us from success both in personal and professional life.

Here are five bad work habits and solutions to break them all. So you can boost productivity at work and start new habits that are valuable for you.

5 Bad Work Habits and How to Fix Them

Let's dive into the five common bad habits in the workplace and explore strategies to help you avoid falling into their clutches.

1. Procrastination

It's all too easy to fall into the trap of postponing tasks and finding excuses to avoid them. To overcome this habit, start by identifying the root causes of your procrastination. 

Are you overwhelmed by the task's complexity? Do you need more motivation or clear direction? Once you understand the underlying reasons, you can take appropriate steps to address them.

Solution: The VirtualSpace app can help you overcome procrastination. The app's Project feature allows you to break down your tasks into smaller, actionable items. Start by creating a project board for each major task or project you're working on. Then, break down the tasks into smaller actions and assign deadlines for each. 

By visualising your progress and having a clear roadmap in the VirtualSpace app, you can stay accountable for overcoming the habit of procrastination.

2. Bad Communication

Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful teamwork and collaboration. Bad communication habits can lead to misunderstandings and low productivity. 

Solution: To improve your communication skills, start by actively listening to others. Focus on their words, tone, and non-verbal gesture. You can also try the VirtualSpace Chat feature that enables real-time communication with your team members. 

Whether you're working on a group project or need clarification, the chat feature allows you to exchange messages, share files, and even have video calls. 

By using the Chat feature, you can break the habit of bad communication and ensure that everyone stays connected.

3. Lack of Workspace Setup

Working remotely often comes with the challenge of lacking a proper workspace. Working from the comfort of your bed or couch may seem appealing initially, but it often leads to distractions and reduced efficiency.

It's crucial to establish a proper workspace that promotes concentration and creativity.

Solution: Create a dedicated workspace that separates your professional and personal life.

The VirtualSpace app provides a workspace to create a virtual office environment where you can organise your work and collaborate with team members. 

Workspace ensures that you have a dedicated and organised space for work. Further, you can create multiple channels for your specific teams.

4. Lack of Plan and Clear Goals

Without clear goals and a well-defined plan, it's easy to drift aimlessly and lose sight of your professional aspirations. So it’s important for maintaining focus with the plan and clear goals.

Solution: To break free from this bad habit, take time to reflect on your long-term career goals and map out the steps required to achieve them.

The VirtualSpace app's Project Board feature can help you break the habit of not having a plan or clear goals. 

Start by creating a project board for each day, week, or month, depending on your preference. Outline the tasks you need to accomplish and assign deadlines to each one. 

You can also use the Notes feature in VirtualSpace. Jot down any important details, ideas, or reminders that come to mind while working on your projects. These notes will serve as your digital notepad, ensuring that no valuable information slips through the cracks.

5. Distraction

Distractions can significantly prevent your progress. It can also disrupt your workflow. 

You can find distractions everywhere, even in a digital work environment. 

Solution: Activate the VirtualSpace Focus Mode when you need to concentrate on a task or project. 

During this mode, the app blocks non-essential notifications and alerts, allowing you to work without interruptions.

By using this feature, you can break the habit of succumbing to distractions and maintain a laser-like focus on your work.

How VirtualSpace Helps You Break Bad Habits at Work

VirtualSpace is one of the project management tools that come to your rescue when it comes to breaking free from those pesky bad work habits. It is packed with a bunch of features designed to keep you on the right track throughout your workday.

• One feature that stands out is Chats. It's a real game-changer for seamless communication with your team. Whether you need to bounce ideas around, collaborate on a project, or simply seek some clarification, it ensures you stay connected and in the loop in real time.
• The Notes feature is like having your digital notepad where you can effortlessly organise and store all your important information. Be it text, images, or documents, you can rely on this centralised hub to keep everything in one place. 
• VirtualSpace's Projects feature steals the spotlight. With a comprehensive view of your projects, you can effortlessly navigate through tasks and subtasks. And the best part? You can customise the interface to match your specific needs. 
• Integrations help you connect with a wide range of tools and software your team relies on. From streamlining workflows to supercharging collaboration, you'll have all your favourite apps and software just a few clicks away.

Having bad habits doesn’t mean that you are a bad person. As long as there is a will, you can cultivate positive habits that can revolutionise your workday and boost your productivity. 

Embrace constructive criticism and see it as an opportunity to introduce new work habits. And with VirtualSpace by your side, there's no better time to embark on this transformative journey.