In this blog, I'll share with you the 7 most common habits you should get rid of.

1. Don't constantly check your email inbox. Read and manage messages in batches – once or twice a day. Most of us try to respond to emails immediately. We take pride in how efficient we are and how much we've accomplished. This is a HUGE MISTAKE. By answering emails, you're primarily addressing others' issues and tasks, putting your own on hold. Continuously monitoring and addressing emails also prevents you from entering deep, focused work. Days, and sometimes even longer periods, go by, and you're just solving others' problems. You might feel significant and skilled, but you've accomplished very little for your own tasks. Solution? Remove email notifications from your phone and PC. Most urgent-looking messages can wait several hours or even days. Set 1-2 specific times daily (as needed) for reading and addressing messages. Dedicate the rest of your work time to your tasks.

    

2. Don't start and end your day by reading electronic mail. Prioritize your tasks and plans for the day. Emails can wait until just before lunch, by which time you might have tackled the most crucial task on your list. Don't be afraid to put yourself and your work first.

    

3. Avoid attending meetings that don't yield tangible results. You have a meeting at 9, another at 11, a rendezvous with Mr. X at 1, and Mrs. Y wants to drop by at 2. Try to assess the REAL outcomes of a day filled with such engagements. It's a deceptive feeling of productivity when, in reality, there's no tangible output. Meetings often devolve into casual chats, wasting time before getting to the point. Solution? Cancel all non-essential meetings and try to shift them to email. If you must attend one, ensure it's concise and has a clear agenda.

    

4. If you're behind in your tasks, don't solve it by extending your working hours. Set clear priorities instead. Without firmly set priorities and goals (both generally and in daily task lists), it's easy to consider all activities as essential. Instead, create a system. Eliminate the non-essential, delegate minor tasks, and always focus on the most crucial ones.

    

5. Don't stay online constantly. Give yourself at least one completely offline day each week. Unless you're the Queen of England, everything can wait. You'll find that you'll love these digital breaks.

    

6. You don't need to retain every customer at all costs. There's a saying that trying to please every customer is a sure path to mediocrity. If some customers demand too much attention for a small profit, it's okay to let them go.

    

7. Don't think that any work or success can replace family and health. Life isn't just about work. No career achievement is meaningful if there's nobody to share it with. Health, family, and work are like the legs of a tripod; if one breaks, the entire system collapses.

If you aim to see your plans through to successful completion, you must uncompromisingly get rid of things and activities that hinder you. Focus not just on what you need to do but also on what you shouldn't. It's a different approach but yields the same outcome.