While we all want to be successful in our lives, it’s interesting how many of us are our own worst enemies. No matter how much we want to success, we can turn around and have a wealth of excuses for not going ahead with our plans. But what are we gaining in doing this? Not much, it seems. You can learn to push your excuses to the side. All it takes is standing up for your dreams and for your dream lifestyle.
Question Yourself
So many times, we give ourselves excuses and follow them, even though we don’t stop to think about whether they are rational. Instead of simply making an excuse, you should make sure that you are questioning your own excuses. Slow down your thinking for a moment and start to question the reasoning behind each choice you make. Not only will this help you to understand your own thinking, but it can also help you begin to push aside excuses that don’t make sense in relation to your goals.
Make a List of Non-Excuses
When you have a certain goal that you want to achieve, don’t start by looking at the reasons why you can’t achieve it, think about the reasons why you CAN achieve it. For example, if you want to write a book, you might want to list all of the chunks of free time that you have available or the babysitters that can come watch the kids when you want to write. List all of the reasons why you can do the things you want to do. Then read this list whenever you begin to think that you can’t reach your goals.
Have Someone Keep You in Check
Being responsible to someone else can help you keep on the path to your success. Instead of simply being accountable to yourself, make sure to check in with another person from time to time about your goals. This will help you reduce the number of excuses you have. In fact, you might want to tell the person to point out any excuses you might make.
Have a most outstanding day
Sean Rasmussen
Success Communicator
SeanRasmussen.com © 2004 – 2008
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree that it can be all too easy to let goals slide as a result of small choices to put things off for whatever reason. Perhaps justifying at the same time that we will get started tomorrow. The problem is if the same thing happens tomorrow then our goals, and the success that we want, may never happen.
I find that sharing my goals with others helps keep me accountable. While it might be tempting to make small excuses to myself, it is harder to make lame excuses when others are involved.
I also like the idea of when the lame excuses start to strike, thinking of why the goal is achievable, the steps to take in order to get there and why I want this goal in the first place. Sounds like a great way to re-motivate oneself.
Tom McEwin´s last blog ..Getting Targeted Internet Traffic and a Hungry Crowd
But is it ok to say that these are not excuses, they are reasons? I’m sorry I didn’t do abc/xyz but ……….. Are reasons excuses? Maybe yes. Maybe no. It depends. Well that’s my excuse anyway.
But seriously, yes we should make a habit of trying to identify WHY we are not doing what needs to be done and coming up with a strategy as to HOW we can change things around to make things happen in a way that moves us toward our goals.
Excuse making is an insidious form of self-sabotage. Most people don’t see it in themselves, even when someone points it out. They feel ‘right’ and therefore it is not an excuse to them, but right. They become self-righteous. There needs to be balance. Lists are good, they help to manage time and to find balance.
Wal Heinrich´s last blog ..Internet Marketing Why? How?