You’ve probably heard of Dry January where people take a break from alcohol for the month to reset, refocus, and just feel better overall.
What if your business did something similar?
Instead of cocktails, think tech habits. The ones you know are risky. The ones that waste time, create stress, or make your systems feel like a patchwork of sticky notes and crossed fingers.
They’re not flashy. They don’t cause chaos every day. But over time? They quietly drain your time, money, and peace of mind.
Let’s kick six of the worst offenders to the curb—cold turkey.
❌ Habit #1: Clicking “Remind Me Later” on Software Updates
It’s such a small button. But that delay? It opens the door to major risk.
Those updates often include urgent security patches—ones that block real, active threats. Every time you hit “later,” you’re leaving the back door unlocked.
Remember the WannaCry ransomware attack? It hit over 150 countries and cost businesses billions—because people ignored a simple update that had already been released.
✅ Fix it:
Set updates to run automatically after business hours—or better yet, let your IT provider manage them. No disruption, no security holes.
❌ Habit #2: Using the Same Password Everywhere
We’ve all done it. One “strong” password that works on email, your accounting software, maybe even your banking account.
Problem is, if one site gets hacked (and trust me, they do), hackers take that combo and try it everywhere. It’s called “credential stuffing,” and it’s frighteningly effective.
✅ Fix it:
Use a password manager—like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden. They generate and store unique passwords for every site so you don’t have to remember a thing. One master password, total peace of mind.
❌ Habit #3: Sending Passwords in Email or Slack
“Hey, can you send me the login?”
“Sure! It’s admin@company.com, password is Fall2024!”
Simple. Quick. But also permanently saved in your inbox, their inbox, and the cloud. If either account gets compromised, your credentials are easy pickings.
✅ Fix it:
Use your password manager’s secure sharing feature. It gives access without revealing the actual password—and it’s revocable anytime. No lingering paper trail.
❌ Habit #4: Giving Everyone Admin Rights “Just in Case”
Someone needed to change a setting once, so you made them an admin. Then someone else. Now half your team can install software, disable protections, or (accidentally or otherwise) break critical systems.
Worse? If one of those accounts is hacked, the damage is unlimited.
✅ Fix it:
Give people only the access they need. That’s called the principle of least privilege, and it’s your best defense against both accidents and attacks.
❌ Habit #5: Letting Workarounds Become “How We Do It”
You made a quick fix in 2021. It sort of worked. And now… it’s just your system.
Maybe it involves copy-pasting data between apps, or remembering an extra login step that only two employees understand.
It’s clunky. It’s fragile. And it’s quietly chewing up hours every week.
✅ Fix it:
Start by making a list of workarounds. Don’t fix them all today—just get them out in the open. Then let a trusted IT partner help you replace them with proper, long-term solutions.
❌ Habit #6: Relying on a Giant Spreadsheet to Run Everything
You know the one.
It has 12 tabs, formulas only one person understands, and no backup plan if it goes corrupt. If that spreadsheet fails—or that person quits—your whole process grinds to a halt.
Spreadsheets are great tools. They’re terrible foundations.
✅ Fix it:
Document what that spreadsheet actually does. Then switch to real tools built for that job—like CRMs, inventory systems, or scheduling platforms. They’re secure, scalable, and built for teams.
Why These Habits Stick Around (Even When We Know Better)
You’re not careless—you’re busy.
Tech shortcuts feel like time savers in the moment. But when they break down, the cost is 10x higher.
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The risks are invisible—until they’re not.
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The “right” way feels slower at first.
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And everyone else is doing it too, so it doesn’t feel wrong.
That’s why most businesses don’t change until something breaks.
Let’s skip the breakdown this year.
🔄 What Works Better Than Willpower? Systems That Support You
Just like people who commit to Dry January change their environment (not just their mindset), businesses that fix tech habits change the systems.
✅ Passwords get managed securely, so you don’t need to remember them
✅ Updates run automatically, not when you’re in the middle of a Zoom call
✅ Admin access gets controlled, not handed out like candy
✅ Workarounds disappear—replaced with better tools
✅ Risky behaviors become impossible instead of just discouraged
That’s the power of working with a real IT partner.
Not more lectures. Not more things on your to-do list. Just systems that work with your team—not against them.
🎯 Want Help Breaking the Habits That Are Slowing You Down?
Let’s do a quick Tech Habit Check-In.
👉 Book your free 15-minute discovery call here.
We’ll help you find the hidden risks, the quiet frustrations, and the time-sucking workarounds—then give you a clear plan to fix them.
No jargon. No shame. Just smarter systems for a smoother 2026.
Because some habits really are worth quitting cold turkey.
And January? It’s the perfect time to start.