I Don't Know, I Can't Attitude
By Keith Zimcosky

Do you find yourself saying I don’t know or I can’t, a lot? If so, than read on.

In today’s ever changing world, it is important to stay on top of new technology and advances that are being made every day. Things are constantly changing. We can accept the changes and learn the new technology, or we can be stubborn and fail to accept that the world is evolving around us. You can stay trapped in your shell and not put forth the effort to learn new things. You can constantly make excuse after excuse that you don’t know how to do something or nobody taught you. Soon you will be behind in what is going on around you. In addition, you defeat yourself and lower your confidence level every time you make the excuse, “I don’t know or I can’t”.

If you don’t know something, figure it out. Ask a friend, co-worker, or family member. People like to help other people. It is human nature. People feel self-rewarded when they help others. Do not be afraid to ask for help.

                    “Winners use every resource they have to their advantage to succeed”
                                                              K. Zimcosky, President Interview Connections

There should be no excuses for someone today to use the words I don’t know or I can’t as to not do something. These words create laziness and decrease confidence within in you. The internet is a great resource. You can find anything on there. If you don’t have internet access, libraries are a great resource. They have books and research on how to do just about anything and it’s free, including internet services. Librarians are more than willing to assist and help you find what you need. There should be no excuses with not being able to figure something out; information is right at your fingertips.

Think of a time where you had to do something completely out of your comfort zone. You had no idea what you were doing and were scared you may fail. You were scared because initially “you didn’t know” what you were doing. Look back at that project and the steps you took to make sure it was a success. Did you just sit back and say I don’t know how to do this, or did you work hard, do your research, figure it out and make it happen? When the project was done how good did you feel about yourself? You just conquered this task that you initially had no idea what you were doing. Not only did completing that project make you feel good about yourself but it also made you smarter. When we succeed at something we didn’t have knowledge about prior, we feel accomplished. Our confidence grows and we become smarter because we learned something new.

Try this simple exercise. Whenever you feel yourself about to tell someone I don’t know or I can’t, pause and don’t speak. Tell yourself mentally, you will figure the situation out. Then depending on the situation, inform the person you will get back to them with the answer after you figure out whatever it is you may not know. Not only will doing this boost your confidence after you figure out the answer, but people will also view you differently. People who use the phrases “I don’t know” or “I can’t” are perceived as pessimists or lazy. Is this the perception you want to give to people? Wouldn’t you rather have people view you as a confident person who isn’t afraid to figure something new out? In addition to this exercise, place $1.00 aside for every time you use the words I don’t know or I can’t. Then every 3 months, take that money and give it to a local charity.

Those who make excuses go nowhere in life, but those who figure things out and seek out answers succeed. It is your decision whether you want to make excuses or succeed. Personally, I want to succeed, so I have eliminated the phrases “I don’t know” and “I can’t” from my vocabulary and so should you! Be the person people look to for help, not the person they avoid because they know they will receive the same answer of I don’t know or I can’t.

I don’t know and I can’t are negative and carry a negative perception of whom you really are when you use them. Don’t fall into the trap of using these words as an excuse. This is a potential sign of laziness. If you are a proponent of saying these phrases, stop! Start figuring things out for yourself. You will be happy you did!

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