HOW CAN YOU BUILD BETTER HABITS ON THE JOB?

One good approach is work segmentation. Examine the different kinds of work you do in the office. If you arrange to do particular jobs in specific spots, you will concentrate better and avoid distractions. Segment your job as many ways as possible so that you have a particular place to do each kind of work. Then whenever you approach a particular work area, you will automatically start thinking about the kinds of tasks you normally perform there.

If you can do each task at a specific time, the arrangement will be even better. If you are interrupted and must do something else, switch to the appropriate location. If you begin to think about other things, get up and move for a few moments, then come back. Think of yourself as a television series: same time, same place, same content.

Of course, there are some disadvantages to this approach. When you have developed the habit of working on an activity in a specific location, it will be more difficult to perform the task in another location- for instance, to do your financial reports at some location other than your desk. If conditions change sufficiently, though, you can always recondition yourself to work at a different location.

Any change in your environment will facilitate a change in behavior. Try rearranging your office. Move the furniture around. Put desk items in different drawers. reorganize the file drawer. Use different routes for traveling within the office building. Come in and out of the different doors than the usual. Do anything that is different and you will raise your general awareness of what is taking place around you. 

As your awareness level goes up, you will be in better position to recognize and change your habit patterns. Beginning a new behavior requires an emphasis on action. According to William James, "Seize the first opportunity to act." This means that you have to do it now. Don't talk about doing it later, do it immediately! Practice the new behavior even when you don't need to practice it. Through this practice, you will begin to shape your behavior and become a master of these new behaviors.