Let’s face it, we all want to excel in our careers. But do you have to work yourself to the bone to do so?
No, the secret isn’t working harder; it’s working smarter. And there are certain habits you might be clinging onto that are actually holding you back.
In this article, we’re going to identify 5 of these career-stifling habits. By choosing to let go of them, you’re choosing to fast-track your career success.
So buckle up, and get ready to give your career the boost it needs without the extra sweat and tears.
1) Perfectionism
Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing bad about striving for excellence. However, there’s a fine line between aiming for your best and falling into the trap of perfectionism.
Perfectionism can be a huge career setback. Researchers have found that it is associated with lower efficiency. Worse yet, as noted by the folks at Healthline, it can even lead to anxiety.
In most cases, it slows you down, creates unnecessary stress, and can even prevent you from even starting important tasks for fear of not doing them perfectly.
Think about it. How many times have you delayed starting a project because you wanted everything to be just right? Or spent hours tweaking a presentation that was already good enough?
In the fast-paced corporate world, speed and efficiency often trump perfection. It’s better to complete a task to the best of your ability in a timely manner than to delay it in pursuit of unattainable perfection.
Embrace progress over perfection and watch your career soar without having to work yourself to the ground. Done is almost always better than perfect.
2) Procrastination
I have to admit, I’ve been guilty of this one.
I remember a time when I had a crucial report to submit. Instead of working on it bit by bit, I kept pushing it off until the last possible moment. What resulted was a stressful all-nighter and a report that wasn’t my best work.
Procrastination doesn’t just lead to subpar work; it also creates unnecessary stress and anxiety. And let’s face it, most of us don’t perform our best under high stress.
The key here is to break tasks down into smaller pieces and tackle them steadily instead of delaying. This way, you’re consistently making progress and saving yourself from the last-minute scramble.
Trust me, your career (and your sanity) will thank you for it.
3) Multitasking
So many of us have been led to believe that multitasking is a strength; I’ve even seen it listed as a requirement in job descriptions! It’s easy to assume that doing multiple things at once is necessary for getting more done.
But research suggests quite the opposite.
Studies have shown that multitasking can reduce productivity by up to 40%. Yes, you read that right—40%. Imagine for a moment being 40% more productive each day. Sounds appealing, right?
The problem with multitasking is that it splits our focus, making it difficult to give our full attention to any one task. This often leads to mistakes, missed details, and lower-quality work. Instead of making you faster, multitasking forces your brain to switch back and forth between tasks, which ultimately slows you down.
The solution? Embrace single-tasking.
Prioritize one task at a time, and give it your undivided attention. By focusing on completing one task before moving on to the next, you’ll find yourself producing higher-quality work in less time and with less stress. It’s a small shift that can have a big impact on your productivity and your career.
4) Neglecting personal health
“Self-care”—who has time for that, right? Well, if you want to get ahead at work, you definitely should make the time.
As noted by experts, a lack of self-care is associated with a host of productivity-killers, including low energy, difficulty concentrating, and burnout. When you’re running on empty, it’s impossible to perform at your best.
I can attest to this firsthand. There was a time when I pushed myself nonstop, working long hours and skipping breaks to try to stay ahead. But eventually, the exhaustion caught up with me. My productivity dropped, and tasks that once took minutes seemed to drag on endlessly. I felt drained, unmotivated, and far from my best self.
It was only when I started prioritizing self-care—taking short breaks, making time for exercise, and getting a decent night’s sleep—that I saw a shift. My energy returned, I felt more focused, and I was able to accomplish more in less time.
The point is, self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Taking time to recharge doesn’t just benefit you personally—it can also be the key to reaching new levels of productivity and success in your career.
5) Neglecting work-life balance
You probably expected this one, right?
Well, it’s here for a good reason. It’s logical to think that working more hours will result in getting more done, but research by Stanford professor John Pencavel suggests this simply isn’t the case.
He found that productivity declines sharply after 50 hours per week, and after 55 hours, it’s almost pointless to keep working. In fact, those who work 70 hours a week accomplish no more than those who work 55.
When we neglect work-life balance, we’re not only risking our productivity but also our overall well-being. Overworking leads to burnout, stress, and exhaustion, which ultimately take a toll on our creativity, focus, and efficiency.
Taking regular breaks, setting boundaries, and making time for personal life doesn’t mean you’re less committed to your career—it means you’re prioritizing sustainable success.
The takeaway? Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is key to staying productive, focused, and motivated over the long term. Quality, not quantity, is what will move your career forward in the most effective way.
Final thoughts: It’s about making smarter choices
In the end, advancing in your career without overworking boils down to making smarter choices.
It’s about recognizing that perfectionism can be counterproductive, procrastination is a creativity crusher, and multitasking often leads to mistakes. It’s understanding that neglecting your health and personal life aren’t sacrifices for success, but barriers to it.
So take a moment to reflect on these habits. Which ones are holding you back? And more importantly, what steps are you willing to take to replace them with more productive behaviors?
Remember, the goal isn’t to work harder; it’s to work smarter. And sometimes, the smartest work move you can make is saying goodbye to these habits.
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