What are you excellent at?

And oftentimes excusing a fault doth make the fault worse by the excuse.
William Shakespeare
1564 – 1616

Take a moment and think about this question: what are you excellent at doing?

While it might not be pleasant to acknowledge, if you’re like most people, I can predict one thing you do exceptionally well: make excuses.

Before you get defensive, let me explain. I mentor a number of people. And one of the biggest reasons they don’t achieve their goals is because they’re so good at making excuses.

We all make excuses, although we don’t use that term. We use a more acceptable name: reasons. And the real problem is that we often believe our reasons are valid.

When I suggest that someone take a particular action, I’m often met with a reason why the person can’t possibly do it. Let me give you a specific example. I often suggest that people further their education by reading books or listening to recorded programs for at least half an hour each day. Every time I make this suggestion, I’m told “I don’t have enough time to do the things I have to do, let alone devote half an hour a day to reading.”

As I dig deeper, I find that the person is using lack of time as an excuse, although they’re quick to defend it as a reason. When I suggest ways to listen to recorded material — when they’re driving, eating alone, exercising, or grocery shopping — they offer more reasons why it won’t work.

We’ve gotten very good at making excuses. And these excuses put us in a box.

Excuses give us permission not to do the things we could be doing.

Excuses limit our thinking. With limitations on our thinking, our results suffer.

Start paying attention to how often you say something can’t be done. Ask yourself if your reasons are truly valid. Do you not have time, talent or resources? Or does finding the time, talent and resources to accomplish the task require you to give up something or act outside your comfort zone?

If you really want to have a better life, then this is one area where you need to stop being an expert. Give up your excuses and stop limiting your options.

Don’t sabotage yourself by adopting negative, unproductive attitudes.
Epictetus
55 – 135 A.D.

Copyright © 2023 John Chancellor