Bad Work Habits To Avoid 
Let’s face it: we all have bad habits. But this is a good fact, because it proves we are human, and being human means that, although we are prone to developing bad habits, we are also extremely capable of reprogramming our behavior to eliminate them and, in turn, develop good habits. The first step is to identify bad habits and observe yourself to see if you have them. This blog focuses on 7 career-ending habits that can befall corporate travel managers. Study this list and learn to avoid these habits and you’ll set yourself up for success and internal promotions. Avoid our advice at your own risk. Here are 7 terrible work habits you can kick today:
1. Procrastination
Many people procrastinate. It’s human nature to delay encounters with things that seem unpleasant in favor of things that provide pleasure. Some professionals even feel that procrastination helps their work, claiming they do their best work under extreme pressure, with just hours before the deadline. While this may be true for some people, it’s still best to avoid procrastination. Even if a professional performs best under this kind of pressure, their procrastination could affect their colleagues, and this appears unprofessional.
Procrastination also can impact the procrastinator’s workflow, especially if he or she has multiple projects. Constant procrastination means constant pressure, which turns into constant stress, and this can take a huge toll on a person very quickly.
Luckily, Fast Company has a great article that shows you how to turn procrastination into productivity.
2. Dishonesty
Dishonesty in the workplace takes on two forms: lying and stealing. Unfortunately, it’s more common than people may think. While you may think you won’t get caught charging personal expenses to your corporate account, it’s never a great idea because it can cripple your career. The moment a professional is caught lying or stealing, not only do they create grounds for immediate termination, they also can expect to develop a bad reputation that will follow them around the corporate world like the plague.
3. Distraction
In the age of the Internet, distractions facing professionals have increased exponentially. The most common causes of distraction are online games, text messaging, and Internet surfing. Poor time management habits can’t be hidden for long; a professional’s workflow will clog up and cause poor performance.
To combat distraction and stay focused on your tasks, read this article from Time Magazine: 13 Ways to Beat Distractions and Stay Focused at Work.
4. Extreme Negativity
Amy Hoover, President of Talent Zoo, writes “Negative employees are often referred to as ‘cancer’ by upper management for good reason: they will eventually be cut out.” It’s easy to slip into the habit of gossip or complaining about significant policy changes or an existing cultural negativity. But negativity not only impacts a corporate travel manager’s colleagues, it also shapes his or her outlook and impacts the chances for success.
5. Losing Your Cool
Let’s face it, being a corporate travel manager is a high-stress position. Tight budgets and deadlines are stressful enough; but having to continually deal with people who may not like your decisions -- whether it’s the traveling executive or a transportation vendor -- can really put the pressure on.
6. Being Too Talkative
While having social employees makes for a friendly corporate culture, everyone is wary of the chatterbox who takes trips to colleagues’ offices and desks to chat about unimportant topics. Whether this takes place through an office chat program like HipChat or text messages to co-workers, it can be annoying to others who would rather focus on their work. Also, if the topic of conversation tends to be office gossip, you will lose friends very quickly for fear of their being the topic of one of your future conversations with another colleague.
7. Poor Writing Skills
Written communication is a vital part of a corporate travel manager’s job. It’s important to write clearly, with good grammar and spelling. Poor grammar, spoken slang, or profanity can give the impression that you are poorly educated or too coarse to be put in a client-facing position by a manager.
Avoid these habits and you open yourself up to new doors to success.
