A lot of people are doing Dry January right now. They are cutting out something they know is not good for them because they want to feel better, work better, and stop telling themselves “I’ll start Monday” counts as a plan.
Your business has its own version of Dry January. It just involves technology instead of cocktails.
Every organization has tech habits everyone knows are risky or inefficient. They continue anyway because things seem fine and everyone is busy. Until one day they are not.
Here are six tech habits worth quitting cold turkey this month, and what to do instead.
1. Clicking “Remind Me Later” on Updates
That button feels harmless, but it causes more damage than most people realize. Updates are not about shiny new features. Many of them close security holes that criminals are already exploiting. When updates get delayed, systems are left exposed far longer than anyone intends. Scheduling updates after hours or letting them run quietly in the background removes the risk without interrupting the workday.
2. Using the Same Password Everywhere
Everyone has a favorite password. It meets the requirements and feels strong, so it gets reused across email, banking, accounting software, and online services that seemed harmless at the time. When just one of those services is breached, attackers try the same credentials everywhere else. A password manager solves this by creating and storing unique passwords so one compromise does not turn into many.
3. Sharing Passwords Over Text or Email
Sending a password through email, text, or chat feels quick and convenient, but those messages live forever. They sit in inboxes, backups, and archives, searchable and easy to find if an account is ever compromised. Secure sharing tools allow access without exposing the password and can be turned off instantly when it is no longer needed.
4. Making Everyone an Admin Because It Is Easier
Admin access sounds harmless, but it grants broad control over systems and security. When too many people have full access, a single mistake or stolen login can cause massive damage. Setting proper permissions takes a little more effort up front, but it dramatically reduces risk and keeps problems contained.
5. Temporary Fixes That Became Permanent
Most businesses have workarounds that started as temporary fixes years ago. They still work, so they never get revisited. Over time, those extra steps quietly drain productivity and rely on people remembering how things are done. When something changes, everything breaks at once. Identifying and replacing these workarounds removes daily frustration and prevents bigger failures later.
6. The Spreadsheet That Runs the Business
There is usually one spreadsheet that holds everything together. It has complex formulas, multiple tabs, and only a few people who understand it. That file becomes a single point of failure. Spreadsheets are useful tools, but critical business processes belong in systems built with backups, permissions, and visibility.
None of these habits exist because leaders are careless. They persist because the consequences stay invisible until they are severe, and the right solution often feels slower in the moment.
This is exactly why Dry January works for some people. It breaks autopilot and creates awareness.
The businesses that truly break these habits do not rely on willpower. They change the environment so the safer option becomes the easiest one. Updates run automatically. Passwords are managed properly. Permissions are handled centrally. Workarounds disappear. Fragile spreadsheets get replaced with real systems.
That is what a good IT partner actually does. Not lectures or scare tactics, but structures that make the right behavior the default.
If you want clarity on where these habits exist in your organization, start with a short conversation. No pressure, no jargon, just a practical look at what is helping you and what may quietly be holding you back.
Some habits are worth quitting cold turkey. January is a pretty good time to start. How about we get together for 15 Minutes?