You can’t just be yourself at work, you need to put on that work persona if you want to be deemed as professional and have the possibility of getting ahead on the job. This means that if you are bringing your normal self to the office, or work place, you may be doing things that could be ruining your career. These bad habits can be avoided and help keep your career on the right path.
One huge bad habit that everyone has drug to work with them at one point in their lives is personal issues. You had a bad day, you were fighting with your significant other or your kids, and now you are at work complaining about life and just generally in a bad mood. This is a huge no-no. Leave it outside. When you pull up in the parking lot shake it off and let it go. Don’t take those angry feelings or that frown into work with you. Your bad attitude could rub off on fellow employees and even rub someone the wrong way, which could cost you your job, or at least cause you to get a write-up!
Taking a smoke break could be a downfall. A lot of businesses these days are trying to keep their employees healthy, which means banning smoking on the property. Even if your job allows you a smoke break you are losing crucial time in which you could be impressing the boss instead of poisoning your lungs. Your life span goes up when you stop smoking, meaning your boss won’t have to replace you sooner than his other employees. Drop this bad habit, for your health and your job.
Lastly, you need to learn that the early bird gets the worm. Don’t show up right at the time you’re scheduled and definitely don’t show up late. But then again, you don’t need to be there a half an hour early either. Get to work fifteen minutes before your start time so you have time to touch up your look, get your coat put away and put on your game face! Your boss will be impressed with your timeliness and dedication to the job.
Your career is what puts dinner on your table and keeps a roof over your head, so why not treat that job of yours like the important thing that it is. That means making it a priority to be early and impress whoever is in charge!