Did You Know That Saying “I Can’t” Increases Your Productivity

What?!?

Yes, you read that correctly!

Conventional wisdom, says that declaring “I can’t” is self-limiting. In many situations, it’s true.

However, in our crazy, busy, ever-changing times, there are two occasions in which saying, “I can’t” is extremely beneficial.

REASON #1

Read this out-loud: “I can’t ever read all the information on <one or more topics>.” It doesn’t matter whether it’s a topic you enjoy or one you need to understand better, such as the symptoms of a medical diagnosis, no one will ever have enough time to read everything on a topic.

Why? Because the amount of data on most topics is huge and growing by the minute. In most cases, access to this information is quite effortless.

How do you prevent information-overwhelm? You Set Real Boundaries.

Here are some ways you set boundaries if you are researching potential treatments for a medical condition:

• Limit the number of physical and digital magazines or books you examine.
• Cap the number of websites you explore.
• Set a maximum amount of time for research, whether per day or overall.

How do these parameters help? Less data makes it easier to organize the information in a method that helps you retrieve it when you need it. Time is saved when you are less likely to “go down the rabbit hole” because you set one or more boundaries.

An alternative to “I can’t read all the information on <topic>” is “I will decide how much time to devote to gathering information on this topic.“

REASON #2

Read this out-loud: “I can’t ever finish everything that I want or need to do.” Notice that I said want OR need. Between assignments you are required to complete, such as paying bills, and activities you enjoy doing, like participating in a hobby, there is no end to possible tasks in your personal or professional life!

How do you counteract task overwhelm? You Minimize Inside Clutter.

 Inside clutter is “brain chatter” that happens in our mind. It might be demanding: “You have to finish this or you won’t ever get that promotion!” The voice could be critical: “You must complete this; otherwise <person> will think be upset with you.” It may guilt-inducing: “Everyone is depending on you to get this done.”

Here are some ideas to minimize inside clutter:

• Release any fears associated with perfectionist or people-pleasing tendencies.
• Prioritize tasks by how they fit with your values and needs.
• Interrupt the voice and tell it to stop.

How do these countermeasures help? Reduced inside clutter gives us the chance to prioritize our activities more effectively. By default, some tasks will “fall off” the list. You may creatively delegate other assignments.

An alternative to “I can’t finish everything I want or need to do” is “I will determine the true importance of my activities.”

There you have it, the two occasions when saying “I can’t” will increase your productivity.

Between setting boundaries to avoid information overload or minimizing inside clutter to thwart task overwhelm, which “I can’t” strategy will you use to increase your productivity?

Type your choice below, along with any questions or comments.