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.


About the Author

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