We’ve all heard “that’s not my job.” Even if people won’t say it, they’ll think it. That’s a limiting mindset. It starts from the perspective that what you do is defined by what you are explicitly responsible for. When there’s something that needs doing, you ask “do I have to?” In other words, what can you be blamed if you don’t do or do poorly?

The better way to think is based on what you have the capability of doing. Not “do I have to help” but instead “can I help?” Why is this better? Well, for one, it makes you less annoying. More importantly, gives you away to contribute more. It gives you a way to learn more. Independently doing what needs doing is an uncommon and valuable attribute. If you demonstrate it, you’re going to be a lot more valuable, and you’ll get a lot more freedom to decide how you work.