CREDIRTDE HR
WHETHER YOU PROCRASTINATE
LIKE A PRO OR CONSTANTLY
DODGE DIFFICULT SITCHES, THESE
ARE THE TRAITS THAT SECRETLY
HOLD YOU BACK.
BY JIAE KIM
52 GL AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2019
SVETIKD/GETTY IMAGESStarting a new school year with
unhelpful habits is a little like
schlepping around a tote with last
year’s junk still at the bottom.
Ready to clean up your act and
make your life about a million
times easier? Here’s how to get your
freshest start yet...Bad Habit #1
REGULARLY ARRIVING 10
MINUTES LATE
WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SAYING: Blow-
ing out your hair, selecting an outfit
or snoozing for five more minutes is
more important than catching your
bus (or arriving to your BFF’s soccer
match before it kicks off).
OTHERS SEE YOU AS... a tad self-
absorbed and occasionally a wee
bit inconsiderate.
QUICK FIX: Picture your friend, your
mom, whoever’s waiting for you.
Because guess what? She literally
is waiting for you. And showing up
late comes off as disrespectful, even
if you don’t mean for it to be. That
should put some pep in your step.Bad Habit #2
CONSTANTLY SAYING
YOU’RE TOO (SHORT/CURVY/
WHATEVER BUGS YOU)
WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SAYING: I only
feel OK about myself if others tell
me I am good enough as-is.OTHERS SEE YOU AS... lacking confi-
dence and a little needy.
QUICK FIX: Every time you blurt
out something negative about
your appearance or abilities, undo
damage by following it up with
some self-love. By pinpointing the
positives—your shiny mane, your
mad math skills—you train your
brain to focus on all there is to love,
not any perceived flaws.Bad Habit #3
FLAKING OUT ON PLANS
WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SAYING: I’d
rather be doing something else.
OTHERS SEE YOU AS... someone they
can’t quite count on.
QUICK FIX: You may feel like you’re
going to hurt your friend by turning
down her invite, but it’ll sting more
if you bail without warning. Being
wishy-washy may give her the idea
that you’re in—then she’ll wonder
where you are if you’re a no-show.
Honesty is truly best here, so be
upfront if you simply can’t commit.Bad Habit #4
MAKING EXCUSES WHEN
YOU’RE IN THE WRONG
WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SAYING: It’s not
actually my fault.
OTHERS SEE YOU AS... someone who
is never willing to take responsibility
for their words and actions.