NORTH DAKOTA ( KXNET ) — A phrase that has never been more relevant than now is “work smarter, not harder.”

As work environments and attitudes change and evolve, some habits that may seem harmless could hinder career advancement.

This can lead to other issues like workplace depression, poor productivity, and stagnant salaries.

It’s important that people recognize and address the habits to secure their professional growth.

“The more we accept a workplace that cultivates these habits, the better chance we have of creating higher turnover and unhappy employees who take no pride in their work,” explained Kasra Dash, a leading SEO consultant and entrepreneur.

To help avoid these pitfalls, Dash shared the top five bad habits and offered advice to overcome them.

The first bad habit is constantly multitasking — a way to get more things done faster. However, when switching between things to do, the brain needs time to adjust, which can cause errors. A study revealed that this habit can reduce productivity by 40% and impact the quality of work.

“Employees should prioritize tasks based on importance and complete them one at a time,” Dash suggested. “Setting aside specific times for checking emails and messages can help reduce distractions, reduce stress, and prevent burnout.”

The second habit is failing to delegate. This means taking on too many tasks and not using the skills and abilities of team members. This can overwhelm a person and lead to a lull in productivity. While many companies are concerned about this habit, only a small percentage offer help to improve it.

“To effectively delegate, start by clearly defining the task and its objectives, then choose the right person based on their skills and workload,” Dash advised. “Follow up regularly to provide support and feedback, making sure to delegated task is completed successfully while fostering team growth and trust.”

The third bad habit is over-relying on communication via email. It’s a huge time waster since people can be checking it up to 36 times an hour. Email communication also lacks the experience of face-to-face interactions, and reading tone and emotions, which can delay responses and decisions. This also promotes information overload — more people spend time sorting and responding to emails rather than finishing important tasks.

“Employees should prioritize face-to-face or phone conversations for important discussions and utilize email for less critical matters. Also, limiting the use of email outside of work hours can help employees disconnect and recharge, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction,” Dash explained.

The fourth bad habit is going through things repeatedly. One reason people can’t move on to a new task is because they are revisiting a task or delaying the completion. This can affect overall progress in a person’s career.

“Start by setting clear goals and deadlines for yourself,” Dash said. “This will help prioritize tasks and shift focus to completing them within a given timeframe. Trust your abilities and accept that mistakes are a part of the learning process. Acknowledge that there will be limitations to productivity and not every task can be completed perfectly.”

The final one is excessive perfectionism. While it may be seen as a positive trait, it can lead to self-sabotage and hinder productivity. The need for things to be perfect results in fear of failure, causing people to avoid challenging tasks. It can limit growth and development, leading to stagnant careers.

“Simple changes such as setting realistic goals and timelines, accepting constructive feedback, and learning to prioritize tasks can help individuals overcome their perfectionistic tendencies,” Dash said.

“Beyond these productivity killers, there are other subtle habits that can derail careers. Chronic procrastination, resisting change, and avoiding difficult conversations are three that often fly under the radar. These habits hinder personal growth but also impact team dynamics and organizational progress. Tackling them is vital for long-term success,” concluded Dash. “By addressing these issues head-on, professionals can unlock their full potential, foster better workplace relationships, and drive innovation. Remember, the most successful individuals aren’t just skilled at their jobs — they’re constantly working on themselves, recognizing and overcoming these hidden obstacles to growth.”

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