Excuses.
We’ve all been guilty of using them at some time or another. Maybe you’re using one right now.
Excuses. If we give into them, they have the power to extinguish a heart fire that is burning within you.
Before going any further, a warning is in order. This post doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to the topic of excuses. You see, in my personal experience and in a lifetime of observations, coddling the topic of excuses serves no one – and my whole purpose for writing this article is to free those who are ready to be rid of excuses that have held them back.
So are you ready? Ready to bravely face those excuses and break free of being held back by them? If yes, the keep reading!
Using Excuses VS Having Excuses
To ‘have’ an excuse means we have a limiting circumstance that is 100% out of our control. This does happen, but not as often as we ‘use’ excuses. The rest of us are just using excuses.
We ‘use’ them to:
- Avoid stepping into more with courage (aka – letting fear win)
- Set success boundaries in our lives (a more ‘manageable’ life)
- Justify not taking action (avoiding the ‘hard’)
- Comfort ourselves for not reaching a goal (ding ding ding ding ding!!!)
- Read ^^ again. It’s the most popular and yet unrecognized, subliminal reason we use excuses.
So… are you ready to take the veil off and get real?
You are an excuse ‘user’ if you say or think these words:
- I can’t because….
- I’m not able to do (xyz) because…
- It’s hard for me to do that because…
- I didn’t reach my goal because…
- {fill in the blank} because…
And if your response to any of the statements above is “That’s not fair to say because…” – you might also be an excuse user. (I warned you…not pulling any punches!)
It’s a Habit, Not a Life Sentence
Using excuses is usually a mindset habit we just fall into. It becomes a comfortable place to avoid the ‘scary’. (AKA: growing into our full potential or stepping into our success zone)
Good news! A habit is something we can overcome, it’s not a life sentence or an insurmountable obstacle
There are 3 simple steps that can move us out of ‘using’ excuses and into the results we desire for an elevated life.
- Recognize the excuses we use
- Determine what needs to happen to overcome our excuse habit
- Decide to take action – and do it
Here’s a worksheet you can use!
STEP 1 – REVEAL THE EXCUSES
- First, write out the top 3 things you’ve been trying to accomplish in your life (financial goals / business goals / family goals / personal goals)
- Then, identify the actions required to reach those goals (not a full blown project plan, but a simple list of actions you know you need to take to reach those goals)
- Finally, highlight the actions you struggle with or have yet to take
STEP 2 – DETERMINE OVERCOMING ACTIONS REQUIRED
Looking at the highlighted actions from step 1, ask yourself this question:
“What is keeping me from taking this action”.
- On a new sheet of paper (or new document), list those answers
- Look for any similarities and identify an ‘excuse’ trend
- Examples: time / a fear / limiting belief about yourself / physical ability / etc…
- Identify solutions for each excuse category. Examples:
- I have limited time = how am I using my time and what can change to give more time to the priorities in my life
- I’m afraid of rejection = what are some mindset trainings and activities I can engage in to overcome this fear
- I don’t think I’m good enough yet = what resources can I plug into and develop the skills I need
- I’m too heavy to keep up with the physical requirements = what options do I have to eat healthier and when can I begin
STEP 3* – TAKE ACTION
Take the action identified for overcoming our excuses. No bulleted list here. It’s now up to you to DECIDE to take action – or NOT.
*Word of warning: an excuse habit can interfere with step 3! We can easily slip into ‘using’ excuses for why we cannot take action to overcome our excuse habit. Go back to step 2 – repeat as needed!
Own Your Choice (aka – stop whining)
As a life purpose coach, I find there are 2 kinds of people when it comes to excuses:
- Those who are tired of settling for the limited results of their excuses
- Those who are willing to settle for the limited results of their excuses
SELF COACHING QUESTION: Am I willing to settle for the limited results of using my excuses, or am I fed up enough to do something about it?
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However you answer that question, own it.
Remember the ‘warning’ at the beginning of this article?
Heads up…it’s gonna get real right……..
HERE….
If you’d rather be comfortable what you have and where you are vs overcoming the excuses, own it – stop whining about it.
Your ‘owning’ statement might sound something like this:
“I know I could have more if I was willing to overcome my excuses, but I’m ok with landing here and I’m going to stop asking people for help or seeking advise because I know I’m not willing to take the actions required.”
If you are not willing to settle for what you have and where you are and are ready to overcome the excuses, own it – and take action.
Your ‘owning’ statement might sound something like this:
“I know I can have more and it’s time to stop using excuses as my reason for not having it. I’m not ok with landing where I am and I’m going to seek the training and advice I need to step into action – NO EXCUSES!”
Your life – your decision.
Need help? Let’s connect. Living with our heart on fire is not a special skill or ability that some have and some do not. We all have everything within us to live a life with love with our hearts on fire, but sometimes we need help finding our way! My passionate purpose is to help others sort and sift through the questions that lead them to the truths that already exist within them. Wanna chat?