Barrier Patterns Lead to Bad Habits

Helping Lawyers Speak With Confidence

What communicates most loudly to people? It’s not only our thoughts but also our actions that communicate most loudly to people. Let’s look more closely at the habits that are holding you back from communicating to successfully manage yourself and lead others.

• Not returning phone calls on time
• Being late for meetings and appointments
• Poor communication between peers and superiors
• A lack of clarity about expected outcomes, monthly targets, goals, etc.
• Not allowing enough travel time for outside appointments
• Not attending to paperwork quickly and efficiently
• Handling messages more than once
• Allowing bills to go unpaid, resulting in interest penalties
• Not following up consistently on things you’ve promised
• Talking instead of listening
• Forgetting someone’s name sixty seconds (or less) after being introduced
• Hitting the snooze alarm several times in the morning before getting out of bed
• Working long days with no exercise or regular breaks
• Not spending enough time with your family
• Having a fast-food meals program Monday to Friday
• Eating at irregular times of day
• Leaving home in the morning without really connecting with loved ones
• Taking negativity or distractions home with you
• Socializing too much on the phone
• Not following through on time as promised, with other people’s requests
• Not taking enough time off for fun and family – guilt free
• Having your cell phone on all the time
• Answering texts/calls/emails during family mealtimes
• Controlling every decision, especially the small stuff you need to let go of
• Procrastinating on everything from required tasks to chores

This is an exhaustive list. And although they aren’t all about communication, they effect our communication and our impact on others. Regardless of the number of bad habits you can relate to, select one bad habit to turn around.  Just one. Your focus on managing yourself in changing that habit, especially as it relates to communicating with others, will give you the confidence to make changes in other more profound ways. Once you feel good about yourself, you will have the experience to lead others in their own growth.