5 things successful people never say

Successful people didn't just get that way because they had unique ideas.

Sure, coming up with something original probably helped them, but it wasn't the only reason they reached the top.

The people that aim for the stars also understand that they need to be emotionally intelligent if they want to succeed.

What does that mean?

Well, it means that they recognise the power of what they say as well as what they do.

When it comes to what they say, they understand that certain phrases will never do them any favours.

In fact, they have the potential to paint them in a poor light that won't help them at all on their journey towards success.

So here are five phrases that successful people never say to make sure you don't say them either.

1. “It’s not my fault.”

Everyone makes mistakes – we're human after all.

The difference between successful and unsuccessful people, however, is one will own up to mistakes and the other will usually blame someone else.

Can you guess which one does which?

You see, taking responsibility when things go wrong is the sign of a leader, not a loser, but many people mistakenly think it's the other way around.

Successful people are accountable for their actions and for the outcomes.

They're prepared to take constructive criticism on the chin, but they learn from it and move on.

2. “He’s lazy/incompetent/an idiot.”

Gossiping about colleagues is never a good idea.

What's an even worse idea is speaking disparagingly about them, too.

Note: The truth of the matter is that every workplace has a mix of personalities and talents.

Successful people know this and train employees to improve their skills.

The thing is, if there are major personality conflicts, it is probably already obvious to everybody so there really is no point in highlighting something that's well-known.

Doing so just makes you look insecure, which isn't a look that successful people ever covet.

3. “That’s not in my job description.”

How many times in different workplaces have you heard that phrase?

It's usually when an employee, who does the minimum to keep their job, is asked to do something that's technically not in their job description.

Clearly that employee will never get promoted, but they probably don't want more responsibility anyway.

On the other hand, successful people will always put their hand up for additional duties, including taking on higher-skilled tasks without remuneration.

They do so because they know that one day it will be rewarded and they're prepared to wait.

If it's not, they'll simply move to an employer who appreciates their staff and offers career progression – or become the boss themselves!

Meanwhile, the boss is stuck with that employee who clocks on at 8.30 am and leaves at 5 pm on the dot every single day.

Which employee would you rather be?

4. “This is the way it’s always been done.”

If you ask me, a sign of a failing business is one that's living in the past.

The ethos of management and staff is doing what's always been done.

In my view that has never been a strategy for success, but it's even less so these days.

Unless you live under a rock you’re probably aware that we're living amidst great technological change.

And that means that businesses have to be responsive and adaptable.

Successful people understand this and are always looking for ways to ensure their business and their skill sets are as up-to-date as possible.

5. “I hate this job.”

Now, just like that employee who does the bare minimum to get by, there are people out there who genuinely hate their jobs.

In my opinion, life is too short to hate anything – and especially a job that you spend the majority of your life doing!

Unsuccessful people regularly whinge about their jobs.

Now don't get me wrong, sometimes people are stuck in jobs with bad bosses and it's not so easy to up and leave because of financial or family commitments.

Note: But the big difference is that successful people wouldn't be working in a job that they didn't enjoy in the first place.

Why is that?

You see, ambitious people know that a fulfilling work-life will improve their chances of success.

They won't stick around if the environment or their boss doesn't provide them with the opportunities they need to be stimulated, productive, and successive.

So let's clarify...

One of the secrets to success is equally about what you say.

There are a plethora of unhelpful phrases that won't progress your success journey.

The good news is that you're in charge of the words that come out of your mouth.

You just need to make sure that your brain is engaged before you speak, which sometimes can be easier said than done!

About Mark Creedon Mark Creedon is Director of Metropole's Business Accelerator Mastermind and business coach to some of Australia's leading entrepreneurs - each who call him their "unreasonable friend"
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