January 12, 2026
Right now, millions are embracing Dry January to reset their wellness.
They're ditching that one habit dragging them down, choosing to feel sharper, perform better, and ditch the "I'll start Monday" excuse for good.
Your business has its own version of Dry January—a list of tech bad habits masquerading as efficiency.
They're familiar. Risky. Inefficient. Yet, everyone keeps doing them because "it's fine" or "we're swamped."
Until suddenly, it's not.
Discover six harmful tech habits to stop immediately, and learn smarter alternatives.
Habit #1: Postponing Software Updates with "Remind Me Later"
This harmless-seeming button is one of the biggest threats to small business security.
We get it—nobody wants unexpected restarts mid-workday. But updates don't just bring features; they close critical security gaps hackers exploit.
Delaying updates from days to weeks leaves your systems vulnerable to attacks like the infamous WannaCry ransomware, which targeted companies ignoring crucial patches.
The damage? Billions lost worldwide as businesses ground to a halt.
Action step: Automate updates to run after business hours or delegate them to your IT partner — no interruptions, no vulnerabilities.
Habit #2: Using a Single Password Across Multiple Accounts
Many rely on one "strong enough" password for all their logins—email, banking, shopping, even old forums.
The problem? Data breaches are routine. A leaked database means hackers buy your credentials cheaply and use this master key to access your sensitive accounts.
This attack method, known as credential stuffing, accounts for countless account compromises.
Action step: Adopt a reputable password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden. Use one master password to generate and store unique, complex passwords effortlessly. Setup takes minutes, but guards your business forever.
Habit #3: Sharing Passwords Insecurely via Text or Email
"Can you share the login for the shared account?"
"Sure! Username: admin@company.com, password: Summer2024!"
Quick and convenient? Yes.
Safe? Absolutely not.
These messages linger indefinitely—in inboxes, cloud backups, and are easily searchable. A single compromised email account can expose all shared credentials.
This is like mailing your house keys to a stranger.
Action step: Use password managers with secure sharing capabilities that grant access without revealing actual passwords. If manual sharing is unavoidable, split credentials across different channels and change passwords promptly afterward.
Habit #4: Granting Admin Rights to Everyone for Convenience
Giving admin rights to anyone who needs to install software or change settings might feel faster—but it's a huge security risk.
Admins can alter security settings, install software, or delete data. If their credentials fall into the wrong hands, so does full control of your systems.
Ransomware thrives on admin access because it amplifies damage rapidly.
Action step: Embrace the principle of least privilege—grant users only the access they absolutely need. Investing time in proper permissions now prevents costly breaches and accidental data loss.
Habit #5: Letting Temporary Workarounds Become Permanent
A quick fix in 2019 turned into today's routine.
Though inefficient and fragile, workarounds persist because they get the job done, even if they slow productivity.
More importantly, they depend on specific setups or people's memories—and when changes occur, these fragile systems fail.
Action step: Inventory your team's workarounds. Don't try to fix them alone—instead, let experts revamp them into streamlined, reliable processes that save time and stress.
Habit #6: Relying on a Complex Spreadsheet to Run Your Entire Business
You know the infamous Excel file: multiple tabs, tangled formulas, understood by only a few.
If it corrupts or the knowledgeable employee leaves, your business faces major disruption.
Spreadsheets lack audit trails, easy backups, and scalability. They're fantastic tools—not reliable business platforms.
Action step: Document what your spreadsheet supports, then transition to specialized tools—CRM systems for customer management, inventory software, or scheduling platforms—ensuring backups, security, and continuity.
Why Breaking These Habits Feels Impossible
You're aware these habits pose risks.
The real challenge? You're overwhelmed.
- Consequences are often invisible until disaster strikes—password reuse feels safe until it's not.
- The "right way" seems time-consuming upfront—setting up password managers takes longer than typing memorized passwords. But the payoff? Avoiding reputational and financial damage.
- If everyone uses the same risky habits, they feel normal and go unnoticed.
This hidden status quo is why Dry January succeeds—it shines a light on unseen patterns, breaking automatic behaviors.
How to Stop Bad Tech Habits Without Relying on Willpower Alone
Willpower won't outlast everyday business pressures.
Changing your environment will.
Successful companies overhaul systems to make good habits effortless:
- Company-wide password manager deployment eliminates insecure sharing.
- Automatic software updates remove the temptation of "remind me later."
- Centralized permissions prevent widespread admin access.
- Workarounds get replaced by solid, documented solutions.
- Critical spreadsheets move to reliable, backed-up platforms with proper access controls.
When good practices become the path of least resistance, old habits fade.
This transformation is what a reliable IT partner delivers—not lectures, but system-wide change to make your business safer and more efficient.
Ready to Stop Tech Habits Holding Your Business Back?
Schedule a Bad Habit Audit today.
In a quick 15-minute session, we'll understand your business's toughest tech challenges and create a clear plan to resolve them permanently.
No pressure. No tech jargon. Just practical steps toward a safer, faster, and more profitable 2026.
Click here or give us a call at 888-638-3621 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.Some habits deserve a cold turkey break.
January is the perfect time to start yours.
