Seven Habits Of Ineffective People

For maximum effectiveness in life, love or business, it helps to have the right habits. You knew that, of course, but don't forget that it also helps to not have the wrong habits. What are these?

Seven Effectiveness-Killing Habits

1. Short term thinking. I knew a man who paid $700 rent instead of $550 per month for a nicer place. The landlord didn't require a deposit, so he could move in for $300 less. Now he pays $1,800 more per year in rent. Borrowing from a loanshark to get into the other place would have made more sense, even at 200% annual interest.

2. Waiting for opportunities. Don't we all know people who are "waiting for their ship to come in," while others are out there building ships? Work invites opportunities - waiting doesn't.

3. Blaming. This is a favorite habit of many bitter people. When has blaming others ever motivated you to improve your situation? Talk about an effectiveness-killer.

4. Looking outside for answers to inside problems. Similar to blaming, this habit is based on misunderstanding why we are in our current situation. In our free and wealthy society, it's usually due to what's going on inside our heads.

5. Procrastinating. Actually, I like this habit. Just stop applying it to things you need to do, and apply it to picking up that cigarette, eating that cake, or getting into that argument.

6. Laziness. I don't know what to say about this bad habit, except that I don't know of anyone who has suffered greatly from forcing themselves to get up and do something. Try something easy first.

7. Acting on impulse. I met a guy at the bus stop this week who within five minutes mentioned that he had bought a $200 hat and that he was hoping they would approve his welfare application. Do you think he might have a problem with impulse control?

If "creating a new you" seems daunting, just start correcting your bad habits, one-by-one. This alone will increase your effectiveness in any pursuit, and your success in life.

Steve Gillman writes on many self help topics including boosting brainpower, losing weight, meditation, habits of mind, creative problem solving, learning grattitude, generating luck and anything related to self improvement. You'll find more at http://www.selfimprovementnow.com

In The News:


Manuel: Mets need no motivation
MLB.com - Jul 4, 2008
"For me, there are certain games that I have to say something motivational," Manuel said. "It cannot be against the Phillies. ... What else can I say? ...

Clear Motivation
Winston-Salem Journal, NC - 4 hours ago
Tamara Doucette, a graduate student, takes a flow measurement in Paine Run in Shenandoah National Park. By Carlos Santos SYRIA, Va. - SYRIA, Va. ...

Los Angeles Times

Olympic champion Kitajima says Hansen may have lacked motivation
International Herald Tribune, France - Jul 4, 2008
... Kitajima said US swimmer Brendan Hansen's failure to make the Olympic team in the 200-meter breaststroke may have resulted from a lack of motivation. ...
Hansen may have lacked motivation in 200m flop: Kitajima ABC Online
Kitajima Claims Hansen Not Motivated Swimnetwork.com
Lohn: Hansen never has trouble responding The Delaware County Times
all 449 news articles

ABC News

Money not always players' sole motivation
FOXSports.com - Jul 4, 2008
by Mike Kahn Ever since the popularity of the NBA exploded during the 1980s, along with the exceptional growth of the soft salary cap, unrestrained free ...
Which teams are poised for a big turnaround? FOXSports.com
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For real estate adviser, motivation comes between buying and ...
NewsOK.com (subscription), OK - 4 hours ago
AP Video •Requirements: Work with property owners, buyers, investors, other real estate brokers, perhaps architects, engineers and contractors. ...

Finding the motivation to exercise
The Southern, IL - Jul 5, 2008
Yet finding the motivation to actually drag ourselves to the gym or say no that extra slice of apple pie takes effort. "When we look at how many calories ...

Emma's bravery is fantastic motivation
Malvern Gazette, UK - Jul 4, 2008
... Worcester Royal Hospital just five weeks before the race, it gave the other three even greater motivation to show their support by completing the event. ...

Frye struggling to find motivation
News-Leader.com, MO - Jul 3, 2008
"My concentration has been off. I just feel I'm not on top of my game," said Frye, long one of the top dirt-track drivers in the region. ...

RE[2]: Well done Eugenia!
OS News - 9 hours ago
Progress takes time and motivation, and I don't see many people offering to pay any developers to go to work on this particular issue. ...

New-Age Sales-Team Motivation: Quality of Work Life
NewsFactor Network, CA - Jul 3, 2008
By Jonathan Farrington In terms of personal motivation, employees ask these questions: Do I achieve? Am I contributing? Am I given increased responsibility? ...
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