How to Break Free from Habits That Limit Your Career?

According to our survey of more than 950 people, 97 percent of employees have Career Limiting Habbits (CLH) that prevent them from reaching their full potential at work. These habits are costing employees raises and promotions they could have received.

The study shows that the vast majority of managers are pessimistic that their employees will change their CLHs. In fact, managers report that only 10 to 20 percent of their employees make fundamental and lasting changes to their CLH.

Influencer: "This finding is incredibly discouraging when you consider the companies that are making enormous investments in performance management," says Joseph Grenny, co-author ofThe New Science of Leading Change and our business partner.

Top 5 Career Limiting Habits:

1. Unreliable Attitude

2. "It's not my job"

3. Postpone

4. Resisting change

5. Negative attitude

Other CLHs that limit employee progress are: disrespect, short-term focus, selfishness, passive aggressiveness and risk aversion.

Can you really succeed without changing your CLH? According to managers, the answer is a resounding "NO". Almost half of managers say that addressing employees' bad habits is three times more important than increasing their technical skills.

However, the online survey of 972 people, including 493 managers, found that there are predictable paths to success for employees who want to reverse their CLHs.

"Many of us think that just wanting and committing is the key to changing our long-standing bad behavior, but those who thrive on change know better than that," says Grenny. "Those who learn to use six unique sources of influence to help them change are ten times more likely to break bad habits and improve their chances of advancement."

HOW TO OVERCOME CAREER-LIMITING HABITS

1. Create a Personal Motivation Statement -when you hit a motivational wall when trying to change your work habits, motivate yourself by visualizing your "default future" and the career you would have if you were promoted.

2. Invest in professional development. Career advancement and financial growth depend on mental development. Actively develop yourself through trainings, workshops and books so that you can be among the top performers - but remember that this is just one part of a larger strategy for change.

3. Hang out with the hard-workers. Who you hang out with determines your career. If you hang out with the wrong people, the Career Limiting Habits that hold you back are likely to be tolerated or encouraged by others. The best friends are the people who have high expectations of you. Create positive peer pressure around you with a circle of hard-working people who share your career goals.

4. Find a mentor. Changing habits requires help. Find a mentor to encourage your progress and guide you through career development opportunities within the organization.

5. Reward Yourself. Reward yourself for achieving your short-term goals by risking some money. For example, if you have achieved your goal, you can buy yourself a prize with the money you set aside. However, if not, donate the money to the party you oppose.
6. Take control of your workspace. Use the power of your work environment to make it easier to implement new habits. For example, if you would benefit from being close to another team, ask to move in with them. If working alone will make you successful, find a place to work alone. The work environment is critical for practicing your habits.

LEARN NEW SKILLS. Visit www. successprogramme.com to learn how Influencer Training can help you create behavior change.

ABOUT THE RESEARCH: The study collected responses from 972 people through an online survey. The margin of error is approximately 3%.