We all have a few bad habits in our repertoire. Some of us can’t seem to arrive on time, no matter how much we plan ahead or how early we rise. Others have a problem laying off the cigarettes, martinis, or bonbons. Some compulsively crack their knuckles, bite their nails, snap their gum, jingle change in their pockets, or do any number of noisy and annoying repetitive movements, seemingly unconsciously.
As parents, we remind and teach our children what habits to avoid to protect their teeth or our teens’ spending habits.
You may not realize that other people notice your bad habits and form opinions about you based on them. So, what does the world make of your bad habits?
Here are a few possibilities.
What Your Bad Habits Say About You
- No self-control. The problem with a habit is that it’s not something you’re born with. This means that you develop it over time and it is virtually within your control. So, when you persist in practicing a bad habit, people might naturally assume that you simply lack the self-control to stop yourself. Of course, just because you are ultimately in control of your bad habits doesn’t mean they’re as easy to break as just deciding to quit. You might need some help along the way.
- Lack of hygiene. If you’re prone to rolling out of bed in last night’s clothing and makeup and high-tailing it to work without a shower, then your colleagues might think you have decidedly bad habits when it comes to hygiene (although perhaps you just need a better alarm clock). This judgment may also pertain to habits like scratching your head, picking your nose, and loudly emitting any number of bodily gasses regardless of where you are or who you are with. This kind of bad habit can quickly turn you into a social pariah and potentially even earn you a scolding from the HR department if coworkers complain.
- Lack of social graces. Some bad habits are extremely difficult to break because you may not even notice that you have them. For example, if you have a penchant for talking incessantly, interrupting others, speaking loudly in order to talk over others, and engaging in one-upping, your conversation partners might think you were raised in a barn. Luckily, a little awareness will help you to pipe down and learn to listen instead of dominating every conversation you participate in.
- Irresponsible. Sometimes, being late and forgetful are the products of a busy schedule. But most of the time, these bad habits signal an inability to say no. If you agree to all requests because you feel guilty saying no, you could wind up with a lot more on your plate than you can reasonably handle and plenty of people miffed that you can’t seem to deliver what you promise.
- Anxious. Nervous habits naturally lead others to believe that you are anxious, and in most cases, they would be right. Biting your nails, twirling your hair, and cracking your knuckles are all indications of nervous energy. And while you can certainly visit helpful sites, just for example, the truth is that this sort of habit may indicate an underlying problem that requires some therapy to cure.