The most successful people in their fields NEVER say these 7 things at work.
They knew if they did so, they take the risk of never advancing in their career, pushing themselves beyond their limits, or succeeding.
1. “That’s not my job”
The quickest way to prevent yourself from advancing at work and being successful is to believe and say that things are “not your job.” First, this shows to your company that you really are not willing to go the extra mile to help the organization, and secondly it shows that you are not interested in growing your skills. You are also suggesting that you are unwilling to adapt to changes, and that you are stubborn and rigid. If you do feel completely overwhelmed and overworked at work, then simply learn how to say no professionally.
2. “I work every weekend”
The most successful people in the world do work on weekends, unlike most ordinary people who do not work on Saturdays or Sundays. Working at least one day over the weekend gives successful people a competitive advantage, and during this time they plan for the week ahead. While it is true that working longer hours does not mean you will be productive because after a certain point, you are less likely to make good decisions and work effectively, but committing to working at least one day on the weekend gives you a competitive edge. Take tips from Laura Vanderkam in her book What the Most Successful People Do On the Weekend.
3. “I can’t”
It’s all a matter of the mind. By saying “I can’t,” you prevent yourself from achieving the results that you are otherwise capable of. Instead of telling yourself “I can’t,” ask yourself “How will I do this?” and “What if somebody offered me $10 million to find a way to do this, would I try one hundred ways to learn how?” “Would I call people and ask for advice?” “Would I read books to learn?” By asking yourself these questions, you will look for a solution instead of telling yourself that you aren’t capable. So next time your boss asks you to do something new, tell him/her: “I have never done that before but I will learn how, and start now.”
4. “I never read books”
The typical American reads just five books a year, and about 25% of the U.S. population reads no books at all. The people that don’t read are falling behind everyone else, especially those who read to gain knowledge in their field. They are also suggesting to anyone who asks them if they read, that they don’t care or have the desire to expand their mind, increase their knowledge and learn anything new. Everyday there is a new study out, and everyday someone is writing a new book. Start reading now by committing to just 15 minutes a day on one book. Read either a book in your field, or a fictional novel to help you relax at night.
5. “Let’s get together sometime“
Most ordinary people say “sometime” over and over again. They do this when it comes to their goals, they do this when their boss asks them to get work done, and they do this when it comes to important plans that could advance their career. They take a vague approach to the opportunities in their lives, and instead they achieve mediocre and subpar results. They miss important networking opportunities, by telling themselves: “I’ll have dinner with that client sometime,” or “I’ll get to that important email sometime.” Successful people have a do it now attitude, and they prioritize.
6. “I don’t need your input”
This statement harms relationships. It gives the impression to others that you know it all, you don’t need help from anyone, and you do not value other peoples opinions. The reality is that noone knows it all, and there is always something new to learn. Coming off as stubborn or unwilling to listen to different ideas or opinions is never a good thing in your career. It shows a poor type of arrogance. Successful people have a humble attitude and eagerness to learn. Take a tip from leadership and management author, Ken Blanchard, who says that “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.”
7. “I’m not ready”
Never walk away from opportunities because you believe you aren’t ready. If you are not ready now, you will never be ready. You can’t plan and sometimes not even predict when an opportunity is going to present itself. The best you can do is to prepare for opportunities by practicing your work and your craft, because ultimately you have little to no control over when that fabulous opportunity presents itself. You have to have the confidence to move forward even when you feel you are not ready, because the worst thing that can happen is that you fail, but you learn something.
[Featured Image Credit: ej4.com]