Never Say These 7 Things If You Want To Succeed In Life

Some phrases tend to cuff us and ultimately become a barrier to success. We may make them casually or, at times, seriously without thinking of the repercussions. So, what things should you never say if you want to succeed in life?

Whether pursuing a new job opportunity or hoping for a promotion at your current company, the way you communicate can make or break your chances of career success.

While hard work and skills are essential, watching what comes out of your mouth is equally critical. Here are seven things you should avoid saying if you want to advance in your career:

1. “I can’t.”

Being unwilling or unable to take on new challenges will prevent you from stretching beyond your current role. Instead of dismissing ideas, adopt a growth mindset and say, “I’ll figure it out” or “Let me give that some thought.”

2. “That’s not my job.”

Don’t pigeonhole yourself into narrowly defined responsibilities. Volunteer for tasks outside your job description to gain new experiences and showcase your flexibility to managers.

3. “It wasn’t my fault.”

Own your mistakes and learn from them rather than making excuses or blaming others. Taking responsibility builds trustworthiness.

4. “I don’t know.”

Admitting ignorance can seem safer but also raises doubts. Instead, commit to finding answers and following up in a reasonable time frame.

Not knowing is fine, but not working to remedy it is not.

5. “Just.”

Minimise words like “just” when describing your accomplishments. Saying, “Just put together a presentation”, sounds like you’re downplaying your work. Remove qualifiers and allow your work to speak for itself.

6. “We’ve always done it that way.”

Don’t dismiss new ideas just because they diverge from tradition. Be open to continuous improvement and evolving with changing markets.

7. “I’m too busy.”

Avoid turning down assignments, meetings or additional tasks due to perceived lack of time. Make yourself available and solution-focused even with a full plate.

Overcommitting builds a reputation for responsibility that helps carry you further.

Succeeding in your career is as much about what you produce as it is about how you present yourself. Be conscious of habitual phrases that could unintentionally sabotage your aspirations.

Replace discouraging language with an upbeat, solutions-based attitude to clear a confident path ahead. You will find yourself moving smoothly and transitioning to new phases of your career.