January 12, 2026
Right now, millions have committed to Dry January.
They're eliminating the one thing they know drags them down, aiming to boost well-being, productivity, and finally stop postponing change with "I'll start Monday."
Your business has its own version of Dry January - a list of tech habits dragging efficiency down.
These aren't cocktails; they're habits holding back performance.
We've all seen them: risky shortcuts or inefficient routines everyone knows are problematic but keeps using because "it's manageable" and "we're busy."
Until one day, it's not manageable anymore.
Discover six harmful tech habits to drop immediately, and smarter alternatives to replace them.
Habit #1: Postponing Software Updates with "Remind Me Later"
This small click has caused more setbacks for small businesses than cyberattacks.
We understand — no one wants a surprise reboot during work. Yet, these updates do more than add features; they close security gaps hackers are actively exploiting.
Delaying turns days into weeks, weeks into months. Suddenly, your software runs with vulnerabilities criminals already know.
Remember the global damage caused by WannaCry ransomware? It exploited a flaw patched by Microsoft two months prior. Each victim had deferred updates too long.
The fallout? Billions lost worldwide as business activities froze.
Break the cycle: Schedule updates after hours or let your IT team handle them silently. No interruptions, no security risks, no regrets.
Habit #2: Using One Password for Everything
That go-to password you rely on:
Meets basic rules, memorable, feels strong, and... is used across email, bank, shopping, accounting, even that old forum you joined years ago.
The problem: data breaches happen relentlessly. That forgotten forum's password database could be sold cheaply to cybercriminals.
They don't guess your bank password—they already have it and test it everywhere.
This tactic, called credential stuffing, drives massive account breaches. Your so-called "strong" password is effectively a universal key—one someone else might have.
Stop the risk: Adopt a password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden. Remember one strong master password while the app generates secure, unique passwords for all your accounts. Quick to setup; priceless peace of mind.
Habit #3: Sharing Passwords via Text or Email
"Can you send me the shared account login?"
"Sure, admin@company.com with password Summer2024!"
Sent over Slack, SMS, or email—problem solved instantly.
But that message now exists indefinitely: in inboxes, sent folders, backups, easily searchable and forwardable. If an email is hacked, attackers find passwords effortlessly.
This is like mailing your house key in a postcard.
Change your method: Use secure password manager sharing features. Recipients access credentials without ever seeing the actual passwords, and you can revoke access anytime. If you must share manually, split the info across channels and immediately change the password afterwards.
Habit #4: Granting Admin Access to Everyone to Simplify Tasks
Once, someone needed to install software or change a setting. Instead of troubleshooting precise permissions, you gave them admin rights.
Now half your staff have admin powers they don't need.
Admin rights allow installing software, disabling security, changing critical options, and deleting files. If compromised, attackers inherit total control.
Ransomware attacks thrive on admin accounts—more access means faster, larger damage.
Giving blanket admin rights is like handing out the safe's keys because someone needed a stapler.
Fix it now: Apply the principle of least privilege: people only get the access they need. It takes a little extra effort but dramatically reduces risk and potential damage.
Habit #5: "Temporary" Workarounds That Last Forever
When things break, quick fixes emerge with promises to resolve them "properly later."
Years pass, and these workarounds become standard.
Although they add extra steps and mental load, the job just "gets done," so why change?
Multiplying these inefficiencies across your team daily leads to huge productivity losses.
More concerning, workarounds rely on fragile setups, specific people, or software versions. Once changes hit—as they inevitably do—the whole system may collapse, with no one recalling the original fix.
Take control: List your workaround processes. Don't attempt DIY fixes; let our experts provide permanent solutions to improve efficiency and eliminate frustration.
Habit #6: Relying on a Single Spreadsheet to Run Your Business
You know that one:
A massive Excel file with endless tabs and obscure formulas. Only a handful of people understand it—and one of them is gone.
If corruption strikes or key personnel leave, what's the backup?
That spreadsheet is a ticking time bomb disguised as your business lifeline.
Spreadsheets lack audit trails; accidental deletions go unnoticed, they don't scale, lack integration, and often no proper backups exist. Essentially, you've patched critical operations with digital duct tape.
Upgrade your system: Document what processes the spreadsheet supports, then transition to dedicated software—CRMs, inventory tools, scheduling apps—with proper backups, permissions, and audit controls. Spreadsheets excel at data, not business foundations.
Why These Harmful Habits Persist
You're not uninformed. You're just overwhelmed.
Bad habits linger because:
- Consequences remain hidden until disaster strikes. Password reuse feels safe until a breach makes it dangerous.
- The "correct" approach seems time-consuming in the moment—setting up a password manager is hours upfront, but breaches cost far more.
- When the whole team shares poor habits, the risks feel normal and invisible.
This is what makes Dry January effective: it forces awareness, breaks autopilot, and reveals hidden risks.
How to Successfully Quit Without Relying on Willpower Alone
Willpower fails at Dry January.
Environment wins.
Business tech follows the same rule.
Companies break bad habits not through discipline alone, but by reshaping their environment to make good behavior automatic:
- Company-wide deployment of password managers removes temptation to share credentials insecurely.
- Automatic update installations eliminate procrastination buttons.
- Centralized permission management stops reckless admin access.
- Workarounds turn into reliable, expert solutions.
- Critical spreadsheet data moves to robust, backed-up systems.
Good IT partners don't lecture—they transform your systems so the right choices are the easiest.
Ready to Ditch Tech Habits That Quietly Drain Your Business?
Schedule a Bad Habit Audit with us.
In just 15 minutes, we'll explore your unique challenges and deliver a clear, jargon-free roadmap to eliminate costly tech issues for good.
Enjoy a safer, faster, and more profitable 2026—no judgment, just results.
Click here or give us a call at (336) 443-0061 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.
Because some habits deserve a cold turkey goodbye.
And there's no better time than January to begin.
