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
{ 16 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?
Hi Sean,
I find that when I start making excuses I’m really just trying to avoid something. When I am honest enough with myself to work out the reason I’m avoiding something, the excuse usually goes with it.
It definitely helps to have someone that you’re accountable to, especially when that person cares enough to be able to tell you the truth even when you may not want to hear it. Where it might be painful sometimes, it always helps me to move forward.
Well said Jazz
Telling ourselves the truth can be the biggest hurdle.
Elly´s last blog ..
I’m with you Jazz.
Excuses I make are usually because I don’t want to do it.
I find when I have a few tasks to do and the order is not overly important it helps to get the least enjoyable one out of the way first. Then the rest is easy
Gee´s last blog ..Why You Should Just Ignore Fad Diets (Part 2)
Hi Gee,
I’m really fortunate that my partner is very adept at quietly explaining to me when I’m making excuses and at giving me a gentle push in the right direction. It definitely helps when your partner is smarter and wiser than you.
I really like the hint of ‘make a list of non-excuses’. I will add it to my collection.
Jo Carey-Bradshaw´s last blog ..Empowering Mindset – Mindfulness
Hello Sean,
We could all use Excuses on why we don’t reach our goals or achieve our dreams. But at the end of the day its only going to hurt ourselves. I like to tell my family what I am doing because then they ask me how I am going. If I don’t go for my daily work anyone of my five boys will let me know. If I am wasting my time in the day David will let me know. If I have not reached my goals, my good friends will ask me why. Its good to be held accountable, a lot more can be done.
Cheers
Lisa
Lisa Wood´s last blog ..Our Kids Today
Problem is I am not a rational person – what nutty, wacky person with the most bizarre sense of humour is? I am not saying that as an excuse – I would NEVER ever use stuff like that as an excuse, I am just insanely insane-able!
And that’s the perfect reason why I CAN do it. The world would be lost without me. I owe it to the world.
Samantha Banfield´s last blog ..Sean Rasmussen and his crazy talk!
This also ties back to your blog of Spreading the Word! (still playing with anchors, so I hope this works! *LOL*) You need to have the right people to tell in the first place, and then to have them help keep you on track, further down the track.
Cheers,
Pete
Pete´s last blog ..peteboyr: @bullhunter Thanks, Sean. Just reviewing the webinar, and will get to your blogs after that. Big night ahead, pizza on the way!
Hi Sean
I really like the “why I can do it” list. I think that is a great idea and I am going to do that right now.
Thankyou.
Elly´s last blog ..
Would just like to add, that in one minute I wrote down 15 reasons why I can do it. I am away to find more then stick the list on my wall and take massive action.
This is a million times better than affirmations because I have all these benefits/skills/resources and abilities right now!
Elly´s last blog ..
Hi Elly,
You can do it. Every day you’re doing it and you’re doing wonderfully well. Your list is a fantastic way to keep motivated. If you read it each day; it will build your confidence.
Visualise your success. See yourself achieving your goals. Go for it, Elly.
Jazz Salinger´s last blog ..Finding Your Passion
Firstly thanks Elly for highlighting this post on FB. This is a very timely post for me, I’m off to make a list of ‘non-excuses’ and also someone to help keep me accountable. We all need a gently shove in the right direction occasionally.
Cheryl Griffin´s last blog ..Generating a ‘moderate’ monthly income from your stock portfolio
Thanks sean,
Excuses are good for exactly nothing yet I am completely surrounded by them everywhere I turn. I am so lucky to be part of this competition & have the ability to learn how others create the right mindset in order to block out & combat the destructive excuses that hold so many of us back. I think that being aware when the excuse monster strikes is an important skill to master & a helpful tool for breaking through those roadblocks.
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