January 12, 2026
Right now, millions are embracing Dry January to reset unhealthy routines.
Instead of waiting for "Monday," they're cutting out what holds them back to boost energy, productivity, and authenticity.
Your organization faces its own Dry January, but it involves outdated tech habits—not cocktails.
These familiar pitfalls are known risks everyone accepts due to busy schedules or misplaced comfort.
But when problems arise, those "just fine" shortcuts no longer hold up.
Discover 6 critical tech habits to eliminate immediately and learn smarter alternatives.
Habit #1: Delaying Software Updates
Hitting "Remind Me Later" on updates is a costly mistake that leaves small businesses vulnerable.
Understandable—nobody wants interruptions mid-task. Yet these updates often patch urgent security flaws actively targeted by hackers.
Procrastinating updates turns weeks into months, running software with exposed weaknesses criminals exploit.
Take the global WannaCry ransomware attack: it crippled thousands of firms because victims ignored a critical Microsoft patch for months.
The financial fallout stretched across 150+ countries, costing billions as operations ground to a halt.
Smart move: Schedule updates during off-hours or allow IT experts to handle them quietly in the background. Avoid disruptions & protect your business.
Habit #2: Using One Password Everywhere
You've settled on a "strong" password that meets criteria and is easy to remember—so why not use it everywhere?
From emails to banking, shopping sites, and old forums, that single password gets recycled repeatedly.
The danger? Constant data breaches leak combinations into hacker markets, making your key accessible without guessing.
This "credential stuffing" technique is behind many breaches, turning your trusted password into a widely copied master key.
Fix it: Adopt a password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden. Remember one master password, and let the app create secure, unique passwords for all accounts. Setup takes minutes; peace of mind lasts indefinitely.
Habit #3: Sharing Passwords via Unsecured Messages
Exchanging login details through Slack, email, or texts may feel efficient but exposes your business to ongoing risk.
Once sent, these messages remain indefinitely—archived, searchable, and forwardable—vulnerable to breaches anytime.
If any email account is compromised, attackers can instantly harvest all shared credentials. It's like mailing your front door keys to strangers.
Better approach: Use password managers with secure sharing capabilities. Share access without revealing actual passwords, revoke permissions anytime, and avoid permanent records. If necessary, split credentials across channels and update passwords immediately after.
Habit #4: Granting Universal Admin Rights
Making everyone an admin "to speed things up" opens your system to wide-ranging risks.
Admin accounts can install software, disable protections, alter settings, or delete data—privileges attackers eagerly exploit if credentials get stolen.
Think of giving admin access to every team member as handing out safe keys because one person needed a stapler.
Correct path: Follow the principle of least privilege—grant only the necessary permissions. Though setting this up takes a few extra minutes, it dramatically reduces breach impact and accidental data loss.
Habit #5: Permanent Workarounds for Temporary Issues
Temporary fixes often become the long-term "norm," slowing productivity and increasing fragility.
These patchwork solutions require extra steps, rely on specific people or software, and collapse under change, which is inevitable.
Step forward: List all workarounds your team depends on. Don't try to fix them solo; let experts help replace these stopgaps with stable, efficient solutions that eliminate frustration and save time.
Habit #6: Relying on One Complex Spreadsheet
That notorious multi-tab Excel file drives your business, yet only a few understand it—and the creator has left.
If it's corrupted or the key user departs, what's your backup plan?
Spreadsheets lack audit trails, don't scale well, and often aren't backed up properly. They're digital band-aids, not reliable business systems.
Better solution: Document the processes supported by the spreadsheet—not just the file itself. Then transition to purpose-built software: CRM for clients, inventory tools, scheduling apps. These tools offer backups, permissions, and transparency without depending on specialized knowledge.
Why These Habits Hold Strong
You're aware these habits are risky, but busyness wins.
Reasons bad tech habits endure include:
- Risks remain invisible until disaster strikes suddenly.
- Proper methods seem time-consuming compared to immediate shortcuts.
- When everyone does it, risky behavior feels normal and unnoticed.
Just like Dry January raises awareness by breaking routine, your business can identify and tackle these invisible threats.
How to Break Free Without Relying on Willpower
Success isn't about discipline—it's about environment.
Businesses that succeed make the secure, efficient choice the path of least resistance:
- Company-wide password managers remove insecure sharing options.
- Automatic updates eliminate procrastination prompts.
- Centralized permission controls prevent careless admin rights.
- Professional fixes replace fragile workarounds.
- Proper systems replace risky spreadsheets with backups and controls.
With a good IT partner, these changes embed positive habits as defaults, eliminating struggle and reducing risk.
Ready to Eliminate Harmful Tech Habits Dragging Your Business Down?
Schedule a Bad Habit Audit today.
In just 15 minutes, we'll assess your current challenges and deliver a clear roadmap to lasting improvement.
No pressure. No jargon. Just a safer, smoother, and more profitable 2026.
Click here or give us a call at 630-895-8208 to schedule your Consult.
Some habits deserve to be quit cold turkey.
January is the perfect moment to start.
