Most people come up with excuses to make themselves feel better about not doing something that, in their heart, they know they should do. It can be as simple as “I can’t go to the gym today, I just had a big lunch,” or as large as “I can’t start my bakery, I don’t know anything about running a business.”
Just writing this depresses me.
Here’s what you can do to get off your comfortable couch and put an end to the excuses you keep telling yourself.
Clearly Visualize the “Why”
Why do you want to go to the gym? Because you want to be healthy and fit enough to play soccer with your kids without getting tired after 5 minutes.
Why do you want to open your own bakery? Because you make the best cakes in town, and you can see the line in front of your store before you even open.
Whatever your reasons are for wanting to achieve your goals, visualize them. See them clearly in your mind, and keep constantly reminding yourself of them. This will help motivate you and make the excuses seem less relevant in the big picture.
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS AND CHOICES. IT’S EASY TO BLAME OTHERS OR YOUR SURROUNDINGS, BUT THE REALITY OF THE MATTER IS, WE ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE TO MAKE A CHANGE.
Take Responsibility for Your Life
Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. Take responsibility for your actions and choices. It’s easy to blame others or your surroundings, but the reality of the matter is, we always have a choice to make a change. The first change you need to make is a mental change, by changing the way you look at things and taking responsibility for your thoughts and actions. Let’s look at the glass half-full. Life is full of challenges. Be courageous enough to look at them clearly and openly, and you will realize they are all hidden opportunities.
Make a Plan
Decide how you will accomplish your goal. Think about it, and plan for the challenges. Study the market and decide how you will move forward. Add a timeline and make sure your plan is realistic and doable in the timeframe you set for yourself.
Just Do It (Like Nike)
What do you have to lose? Is it more than what you would lose if you didn’t do it? What’s the worst thing that could happen? That you’d fail? Yes—when you try, you might fail. Great! Lesson learned. On to the next!
My question to all of you is: are you willing to take the next step, despite what’s holding you back from making your dreams come true?
“You deserve the best from yourself—no excuses. Spend your energy taking action, rather than thinking up excuses.” – Ralph Marston
