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7 things you'll never hear a successful person say

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They don't waste their time dwelling on negative thoughts or making excuses. Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design/Flickr

If you spend time around truly successful people, you may notice that there are some things they simply refuse to say.

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They don't waste their time dwelling on negative thoughts or making excuses. They know that self-limiting beliefs keep them from success and excuses are simply stories that don't solve problems in a meaningful way.

The decision to avoid false beliefs is deeply ingrained in great entrepreneurs. It keeps them moving forward and helps them succeed.

You can enjoy the same kind of success by making a similar commitment. Here's a list of seven things that you'll never hear from a great entrepreneur.

1. 'I can't do it'

Sometimes we feel we lack the knowledge, expertise or resources we need to succeed. Though it's tempting to give into this feeling, the best founders reject it. They push aside self-doubt and focus on what they want to create.

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Build the muscle of belief and start saying, "I can," even when you feel like you can't. Over time, you'll learn to believe that you can do anything you set your mind to. If you need proof, make a list of all the things you've mastered since childhood. I'll bet your life is full of evidence that you can overcome any challenge.

2. 'I don't know how'

Everything you've ever done, you had to learn to do, including walking, driving and starting a business. Learning is a lifelong process. No entrepreneur has all the answers at the start.

When we started SkyBell, we didn't know how to make a video doorbell, and neither did anyone else. If we didn't go for it anyway, despite a lack of knowledge, the company wouldn't exist.

Instead of saying, "I don't know how," consider the mantra that has helped me: "Figure it out." Life is simply the continual process of figuring it out.

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3. 'I don't have enough time'

Successful founders don't have time, they make it, especially for things that are truly important. Exchange the phrase, "I don't have time," for "I need to make time."

If you need to free up some time, consider hiring someone to help manage your workload. I have a virtual assistant who manages my schedule and performs other tasks that are easy to delegate. This saves me valuable hours every week.

4. 'I don't have time to learn'

The most successful people on earth possess a growth mindset. They crave knowledge and know that it's directly correlated to success.

A lack of time is no excuse for not learning. Subscribe to podcasts or listen to audiobooks while you're commuting, eating lunch or traveling. I'm amazed at how many books I've consumed by listening to audiobooks 15 to 30 minutes at a time.

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5. 'If I had more funding, I'd be successful too'

Successful entrepreneurs don't let funding dictate their success. Instead, they plan ahead so that funds are available for growth and execution. If they are short on capital, they think creatively about how to achieve the same results for less money, or work to reach milestones that will earn them more funding.

6. 'Our competitors are stupid'

Weak entrepreneurs often underestimate the capabilities of their competition, while successful founders respect their competitors. After all, if they're smart enough to identify the same opportunity and bring a competitive solution to market, then they're likely as smart as you.

7. 'Culture is overrated'

Company culture is the lifeblood of your business and can be a great determinant of your success. Your company's culture supports its mission and fosters an environment that lifts employees to excellence. Great companies typically have great company culture. Want proof? Look at Airbnb, Indiegogo and REI for starters.

Try using a physical reminder to help rid yourself of negative thinking. I once wore a rubber band around my wrist, and whenever I said or thought something negative, I'd snap it. It's a little Pavlovian, but it helped me create new habits around positive thinking. Keep your thoughts positive and you'll take a great leap forward as an entrepreneur.

Read the original article on Inc. Copyright 2017. Follow Inc on Twitter.
Inc. Entrepreneur
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