January 09, 2026
Right now, millions are embracing Dry January.
They're cutting out alcohol, not because it's trendy, but because they want to feel healthier, perform better at work, and stop postponing real change with "I'll start Monday."
Your business faces a similar challenge—a list of risky tech habits holding you back.
These aren't cocktails but inefficient tech practices you keep because "it's fine" and "we're too busy."
We all know these habits are dangerous. Until one day, they're not.
Here are six critical tech habits to eliminate immediately—and how to replace them for stronger, safer business operations.
Habit #1: Postponing Software Updates with "Remind Me Later"
That simple button has exposed small businesses to more threats than most hackers ever could.
While it's tempting to avoid inconvenient restarts during work hours, these updates do more than add features—they patch urgent security flaws actively targeted by cybercriminals.
Delays stretch from days to months, leaving your systems vulnerable and inviting attacks like the WannaCry ransomware, which hit thousands after businesses ignored Microsoft's patches.
The fallout was massive—billions lost across 150+ countries as operations ground to a halt.
How to stop: Schedule updates for after-hours or let your IT team manage them silently in the background. Say goodbye to surprise reboots and unlocked doors for hackers.
Habit #2: Using One Password Across All Accounts
That memorable password you use everywhere? Email, bank, shopping sites—you name it.
Data leaks happen constantly. That obscure forum you joined? Its breached database might have just given hackers your login info, allowing them easy access to your critical accounts.
This practice, called credential stuffing, accounts for a vast number of break-ins. Your "strong" password is actually a master key in the wrong hands.
Quit it now: Adopt a password manager—LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden. You'll only remember one master password, while it creates and stores unique, complex passwords for every other login. Quick setup, lasting protection.
Habit #3: Sharing Passwords via Email or Messaging
Swapping credentials through Slack, text, or email might seem quick and easy.
But those messages sit indefinitely—in inboxes, sent folders, and cloud backups. If anyone's account gets compromised, attackers can find and misuse every shared password.
Sharing passwords this way is like mailing your house keys on a postcard.
Better approach: Use secure sharing features in password managers so recipients can access credentials without ever seeing the actual password. These links can be revoked anytime, leaving no permanent trails. If manual sharing is unavoidable, split the info across channels and change passwords immediately afterward.
Habit #4: Making Everyone an Admin for Convenience
Granting admin rights because "it's easier" is a hidden disaster.
Admin access lets users install software, disable protections, modify critical settings, and delete files. If their credentials are stolen, attackers inherit those powers.
Ransomware exploits admin accounts for maximum damage quickly.
Giving everyone admin rights is like handing out keys to the vault because one person needed access once.
Fix this: Apply the principle of least privilege—people get only the access they absolutely need. It requires a little setup but prevents costly breaches and accidentally lost data.
Habit #5: Holding on to "Temporary" Workarounds Forever
That quick fix from 2019 might now be your standard process.
Although it takes extra effort or relies on tribal knowledge, it sticks because "it works." But cumulatively, these steps kill productivity and introduce fragility, collapsing when conditions change.
Quit for good: List all workarounds your team relies on. Rather than DIY fixes, partner with experts who can replace them with solid, long-term solutions that save time and reduce frustration.
Habit #6: Relying on a Complex Spreadsheet to Run Your Business
You know the file: dozens of tabs, cryptic formulas, known to only a few—and the creator is long gone.
If it corrupts or loses data, you're in trouble with no backup plan or successor.
Spreadsheets lack audit trails, proper integration, and scalability. Building your business on them is precarious at best.
Smart move: Document the business processes the spreadsheet supports. Then transition to dedicated tools—CRM for customers, inventory systems, scheduling apps—with built-in backups, permissions, and audit features. Spreadsheets are great for calculation, not critical business operations.
Why Breaking These Habits Is Tough
You're aware these are bad practices.
But being busy keeps bad habits alive because:
- Risks aren't visible until disaster strikes abruptly—password reuse seems harmless until it isn't.
- Doing things "right" feels slower in the moment, despite massive potential cost savings.
- When everyone shares insecurely, it feels normal rather than risky—normalizing danger makes it invisible.
This is why Dry January succeeds: it creates awareness, breaks autopilot, and turns invisible risks into visible realities.
How to Stop Bad Tech Habits Without Relying on Willpower
Change your environment, and good tech habits become effortless.
Successful businesses don't rely on discipline alone—they implement systems that make secure, efficient behavior the default:
- Companywide password managers eliminate unsafe sharing.
- Automatic updates remove the temptation to delay patches.
- Centralized permissions prevent unnecessary admin rights.
- Reliable solutions replace fragile workarounds.
- Proper software platforms replace spreadsheet dependencies.
Making the right way the easy way transforms your technology from a liability into a powerful asset.
That's the impact of a proactive IT partner—revolutionizing your systems so safe habits feel natural.
Ready to Ditch the Hidden Habits Silently Damaging Your Business?
Schedule a Bad Habit Audit today.
In just 15 minutes, we'll uncover your biggest tech challenges and deliver a clear, easy-to-follow plan to fix them once and for all.
No judgment, no jargon—just a safer, faster, more profitable 2026.
Click here or give us a call at 702-745-9468 to book your 10-Minute Discovery Call.
Some habits deserve to be quit cold turkey.
And there's no better time than January to start.
