January 12, 2026
January
is a time for fresh starts. While many are cutting out cocktails for a
healthier lifestyle, it might be time your business ditched some unhealthy tech
habits too.
We're
talking about those risky, outdated, or just plain inefficient things you know
aren't great, but everyone keeps doing anyway. Why? Because "we're
busy" or "it's fine." Until it's not.
Here
are six tech habits worth quitting cold turkey—and what to do instead.
Habit #1: Clicking "Remind Me Later" on Updates
That innocent button has done more damage to small businesses than most hackers.Updates
often include critical security patches. Delaying them leaves known
vulnerabilities open for exploitation. WannaCry ransomware? It spread worldwide
through a flaw Microsoft had already patched. Businesses that ignored the
update paid the price.
Quit
it: Schedule updates outside of business hours or let your IT
provider manage them in the background.
Habit #2: Using the Same Password Everywhere
That one "strong" password you use for email, banking, and everything else? It's a hacker's dream.If
any site you use gets breached, attackers will try your login on every
platform they can think of. It's called credential stuffing, and it works
because reused passwords make it easy.
Quit
it: Use a password manager like 1Password, Bitwarden, or
LastPass to create and store unique, complex passwords for each account. One
master password. That's all you need to remember.
Habit #3: Sharing Passwords Over Email or Slack
"Hey, what's the login for that shared account?" If your team sends credentials in plain text, you've got a problem.Those
messages live forever—in inboxes, cloud backups, and search history. If any
email or chat account is compromised, your shared logins are too.
Quit
it: Use your password manager's secure sharing feature. No
visible password, and access can be revoked anytime.
Habit #4: Making Everyone an Admin "Just In Case"
Giving full admin rights to employees because it's easier than managing access properly? That's dangerous.Admins
can install software, disable protections, and access sensitive files. If their
account is compromised, so is your entire system.
Quit
it: Apply the principle of least privilege. Grant users only
the access they need. A few extra minutes of setup now prevents major headaches
later.
Habit #5: Living with "Temporary" Fixes
A workaround from 2019 has become your standard operating procedure.It
might "work," but it's slow, fragile, and depends on one person
remembering a specific trick. When that person leaves or something changes?
Chaos.
Quit
it: Start by listing all your team's workarounds. Then, partner
with IT to eliminate them with reliable, long-term solutions.
Habit #6: That One Spreadsheet Running Your Business
Twelve tabs. Nested formulas. Only two people understand it. Sound familiar?Spreadsheets
are powerful tools, but poor systems. No version control. No audit trail. No
backups. If it corrupts or the creator leaves, you're in trouble.
Quit
it: Document what the spreadsheet does, then transition to
software built for that task (CRM, inventory, scheduling, etc.).
Why These Habits Linger
You already know these aren't best practices. But they stick around because:- The
risks are invisible until it's too late.
- The
better way feels slower right now.
- Everyone
else does it, so it feels normal.
How to Make the Good Habits Stick
Willpower isn't the answer. Systems are.Businesses
that truly fix these issues don't rely on motivation. They change their tech
environment:
- Deploy
password managers company-wide
- Automate
updates
- Centralize
permissions
- Replace
workarounds with real solutions
- Migrate
mission-critical spreadsheets to proper platforms
A
good IT partner helps you make the secure, efficient way the default
way.
Ready to Ditch the Bad Habits?
Book a 15-minute Bad Habit Audit.We'll help you:
- Identify
your riskiest tech behaviors
- Recommend
fast, simple fixes
- Eliminate
frustration and wasted time
No
pressure. No geek-speak. Just clarity, safety, and efficiency for 2026.
