Improve Your Work Habits with these New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions apply to your work habits just as much as weight loss goals or cutting back on your caffeine intake. January might be the perfect opportunity to work on some bad habits at the office. Here are a few ideas for resolutions that will improve your work habits in 2019.

1. Stay organized.
Something as simple as keeping your desk clean and your email inbox organized can help improve your efficiency at work. Set a reminder on your calendar to straighten up your desk and sort your email at the beginning of every day before you start on your daily tasks.

2. Take breaks.
Make sure that your mind gets a little break from work at regular intervals to help relieve stress at the office. Take a 5-minute walk around the office, get a glass of water, or just stand up and stretch for a minute.

3. Make a “Must Do” list.
Give yourself a daily list with only the number of items that you can reasonably expect to accomplish that day. The simple act of crossing off every single item on your list can help you feel more productive. If you get through every item on your list with time to spare, then add more items to your list.

4. Learn something new.
Whether professional or personal, it’s always a good idea to learn a new skill. Take a photography class, learn how to build a website, or become an expert in conflict management or emotional intelligence. You never know when a new hard or soft skill can be unexpectedly useful.

Work Habits5. Lighten up.
Work can be stressful but there’s no need to turn it into the verge of the apocalypse on a daily basis. Whenever a project gets too intense, take a step back and look at the situation objectively. It’s hard to effectively problem-solve when you’re too close to the issue. Keep the big picture in mind so you don’t get too bogged down by minor hiccups.

Feel free to get more creative with your New Year’s resolution to fit your work place and job responsibilities. Whatever your resolution or resolutions may be, just make sure and write down your goals to help keep yourself accountable to creating some new good work place habits in 2019.

Read more: Best Practices for Preparing for Year-End at Your Staffing Agency