Management Tip of the Day: 2 Steps to Changing Your Bad Habits

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile JULY 15, 2010 2 Steps to Changing Your Bad Habits We all have bad work habits — checking email during meetings, insisting on being right, multitasking to the point of accomplishing nothing. Changing these behaviors is difficult. Even if you can go a few days on good behavior, it's likely the bad habits will return. Here are two steps to achieving long-term behavior change and getting rid of bad habits for good: Create useful fear. You know that bad habits are bad, but do you truly understand their impact on others and your career? Picture what your review will say if you continually show disrespect for others during meetings. Imagine that you may be left out of important future meetings. The fear will help you stop. Find the reward. Stopping the behavior is the first step. Now you need to find a reason to not let it return. Enjoy the pleasure of being fully present in a meeting. Discover how much more you can contribute and how much more you are appreciated. This reward will help you sustain the change. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "A Two-Step Plan for Changing Your Bad Habits" by Peter Bregman. Read the full blog post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: RELATED PRODUCT Three Habits That Hold Leaders Back — and How to Overcome Them Harvard Management Update Article Are you as successful a leader as you can be? In this article, Marshall Goldsmith discusses three ways that leaders limit their effectiveness — and provides examples of how to move beyond the bad habits that keep you from your best leadership ability. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS 3 Tips for Strengthening Your Big-Picture Skills 4 Things Your Employees Need From You Know the 3 Ingredients of Important Conversations 3 Tips for Defending without Being Defensive Get Yourself a "Bitsmith" Remove the Mental Barriers to Career Success Don't Let a Tight Budget Stop Your Professional Development 3 Ways to Handle Disruptions 2 Tips for Managing a Multigenerational Team 3 Tips for Acing an Interview BEST SELLERS Guide to Persuasive Presentations HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials Financial Intelligence Collection HBR's 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself Guide to Better Business Writing Job Seekers, Take Note Whether you've been laid off or are considering a job change, HBR's Guide to Getting a Job will help ensure that your next move is the right one. Only $19.95. Buy now » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)