Monday Morning Motivational Message

Eleven Things Smart People Don’t Say
 
 Number 1: “It’s not fair.” Everyone knows that life isn’t fair. Saying it’s not fair suggests that you think life is supposed to be fair, which makes you look immature and naïve.
 
Number 2: “This is the way it’s always been.” Saying this is the way it’s always been done not only makes you sound lazy and resistant to change, but it could make your boss wonder why you haven’t tried to improve things on your own.
 
Number 3: “No problem.” When someone asks you to do something or thanks you for doing something and you tell them no problem, you’re implying that their request should have been a problem. This makes people feel as though they’ve imposed on you.
 
Number 4: “I think/This might be a silly idea/I’m going to ask a stupid question.” These overly passive phrases instantly erode your credibility. Even if you follow these phrases with a great idea, they suggest you lack confidence.  
 
Number 5: “This will only take a minute.” Saying something only takes a minute undermines your skills and gives the impression that you rush through tasks.   
 
Number 6: “I’ll try.” Just like the word think, try sounds tentative and suggests lack of confidence in your ability to execute the task. Take full ownership of your capabilities.
 
Number 7: “He’s lazy/incompetent/a jerk.”  There is no upside to making a disparaging remark about a colleague. There will always be rude and incompetent people in any workplace. If you don’t have the power to help them improve or fire them, then you have nothing to gain by broadcasting their ineptitude.
 
Number 8: “That’s not in my job description.” This often sarcastic phrase makes you sound as though you’re only willing to do the bare minimum to get a paycheck, which is a bad thing if you want job security.  
 
Number 9: “It’s not my fault.” It’s never a good idea to cast blame. Be accountable. If you had any role – no matter how small – in whatever went wrong, own it.  
 
Number 10: “I can’t.” I can’t is it’s not my fault’s twisted sister. People don’t like to hear I can’t because they think it means I won’t. Saying I can’t suggests you’re not willing to do what it takes to get the job done.
 
Number 11: “I hate this job.” The last thing anyone wants to hear at work is someone complaining about how much they hate their job. It labels you as a negative person and brings down the morale of the group.  
  
 
From the article: 11 Things Smart People Don’t Say by Travis Bradberry – September 26, 2016 – SUCCESS Magazine