Photo by Kate Haskell used under Creative Commons license.
If you’re finally coming out of the haze of holiday cookies and alcohol, and you’ve deleted hundreds of emails that built up while you were away, maybe you’re now giving real thought to your plans for the new year.
Harvard Business Review recently ran a round-up article headlined, “Things to Stop Doing in 2015” that listed numerous negative behaviors to quit, mostly related to work. It included:
Stop multitasking (it can be done).
Stop procrastinating, saving work for tomorrow, and waiting to be inspired to work.
At the same time, stop working at an unsustainable pace. It makes leading more difficult, and to do things better, you have to stop doing so much.
If that’s not possible, at least stop complaining about how busy you are. Everyone will thank you.
Stop feeling like you have to be authentic all the time. It could be holding you back.
As you can see, each of these suggestions links through to an HBR.org article that explains why multitasking is hurting you or why you should stop overlooking the women in your organization, for example. If you think starting a new year is a time for doing more — this is the year you start going to the gym or bring in more sales or learn a new skill — let HBR show you why you should also cast off activities that are hurting you.
A few more:
Stop sitting so much. Seriously.
Stop getting defensive. (Not that we’re accusing you.)
And if you can’t stop doing any of these things… stop believing that you have to be perfect.
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