There’s a good chance that you are your worst enemy, which is especially true for anyone who finds themselves making excuses daily. If excuse-making is a routine, then it’s time for you to start taking responsibility.
When you do, you’ll start to see that many of your experiences in life have been the direct result of your outlook and attitude. Before a change provides external results, you must begin the shift internally. By making excuses, you disempower yourself, preventing you from achieving what you can.
The story you tell yourself will become your reality and can define you. If you are creating self-empowerment, that will be a reality. However, if you run a negative narrative, you push yourself into a truth no one wants.
Nothing is inspiring about a negative story. It will never help you overcome your fears or achieve your goals. They might keep you safe from harm, but it isn’t the type of safety you want from life. If security means you’re missing out, then it’s time to take another look at your life.
Are your excuses dragging you down? Here are some of the most common reasons you might be telling yourself.
• This Is As Good As It Gets
If you believe anything in your life is as good as possible, you have no reason or motivation to strive for more. For example, if you believe your income can’t improve because you didn’t go to college, then you’re just making excuses for yourself. You certainly can’t take your high school diploma to the local hospital and get a job as a surgeon, but your education level doesn’t have to stop you from earning a decent income. Some of the biggest success stories in business didn’t further their education. What matters is your mindset, resilience, drive, and belief in yourself.
• It’s Too Late
It doesn’t matter how old you are. It is never too late to take a risk and change your life.
Did you know?
• Colonel Sanders was fired from multiple jobs and didn’t start Kentucky Fried Chicken until he was 66.
• Phyllis Diller didn’t start her comedy career until she was 37.
• Andrea Bocelli of the Four Great Tenors started singing opera at age 34.
• Vera Wang opened her first bridal boutique when she was 40 and is now one of the most successful and famous fashion designers.
• Henry Ford created the first model T car at age 45.
• Stan Lee’s (the creator of the legendary Marvel Universe) first comic, “The Fantastic Four,” became a hit just after his 39th birthday, becoming a mega-empire of comics, including X-Men, Spider-Man, and many others.
• At age 45, Jack Weil founded the most popular cowboy-wear brand, Rockmount Ranch Wear. He was the company’s CEO until he died at age 107 in 2008.
• Julia Child did not become one of the world’s most celebrity chefs until age 50 when she wrote her first cookbook.
• Momofuku Ando invented the legendary instant ramen at age 48.
• Charles Darwin was age 50 when his theory – “On the Origin of Species,” changed the scientific community forever in the year 1859.
• Judi Dench, now one of the most revered actors in Hollywood, was an unknown until her 60s when she began her role as M in the James Bond film, Goldeneye.
It doesn’t matter how old (or young) you are; you’ll find a way if you want it.
• People Will Laugh At Me
We’re always worried about what other people will think or how they will react if we make a mistake. Of course, plenty of people are standing by, ready to laugh, but you have to ask yourself why they feel the need to do so because they’re not having a great time in life either. Those who laugh or bash, or hate are usually not doing much with their lives. Ignore them!
• I Don’t Have The Time
Time is a valuable resource, a sacred one even. It can be exhausting to put the hours in at your day job and then invest your time into a passion project. You’re not the first person to face this challenge, and you won’t be the last, don’t let it beat you.
• It Isn’t The Right Time
That old chestnut. There’s just too much happening. It’ll be different next year. No, the right time is always now or will never come.
• It’s Too Hard
It probably is hard, but nothing worth having is easy, and if it’s worth having, then it’s worth doing. Break your journey down into one you can conquer mentally before you attack it physically.
• There are too many obstacles
A classic excuse that gets you nowhere. One of the essential mindsets of successful people is “nothing will get in my way.” As the old saying goes, where there is a will, there is a way. Overcoming obstacles is just a part of achieving any success.
• I’ve Carved My Path
This is the big one. You have spent years putting your efforts into this path, but is that the path you want? If it isn’t, then it shouldn’t matter. You can’t allow your time investment on another track to dictate your future paths.
Start eliminating these excuses in your narrative and empower yourself to redefine your journey.
Until later today, stay safe, and keep the faith.
