Don't Make Excuses: Make Things Happen

You know that your excuses are seldom truthful, often handy and rarely productive. So, why make them?
You know that your excuses are seldom truthful, often handy and rarely productive. So, why make them?

It's no surprise that 'Honesty is the best policy!' is so often quoted. It's the truth. So, why do we not seem to believe that it applies to the conversations we have with ourselves?

Would you feel as comfortable offering your excuses to your employer as you are offering them to yourself? Probably not. Why? Because your employer is unlikely to buy them and is very likely to see through them. We don't want our excuses exposed so we're careful where we proffer them. Somehow, they are quite acceptable to give to ourselves. We think they are safety hidden.

Now, does this make sense? Sure. We like to feel we can get away with things, don't we? Let ourselves off the hook. Relieve the pressure. Have some downtime. So, what's wrong with this picture?

PROMISE TO STRETCH NOT OVER-EXTEND

Folks make 'pie-in-the-sky' goals. In a burst of enthusiasm, commitment to unrealistic goals seems possible. Take off the rose-colored glasses.

Make goals that cause you to stretch but not goals that cause you to over-extend. There is a huge difference between these two. Stretch feels good, you know that you can do it and you know it is good for you. Over-extension causes stress, fear and exhaustion.

Stretch increases your capacity slowly. You can sustain your gains. Over-extension can cause frustration, resentment and...excuses.

PROMISE WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO DELIVER

Ever made a promise that you knew as you spoke you were going to have a problem delivering? Sure you have. Why did you do it? There are good reasons for doing so: You want to help someone in need. You want to work towards a promotion. You want someone to like you more, approve of you, accept you. Good reasons.

What happens when you cannot or do not deliver? All those good reasons are not only negated but you may have lost the confidence of the folks you wished to serve, please or help. Not very wise.

What about the promises you make to yourself? You count. In fact, you count the most. Why? Because you have to live with you every second. Personally, I believe that the greatest contributor to lack of self-confidence lies in our failure to keep our promises to ourselves.

Goal achievement is rooted in keeping your promises to yourself. Don't let yourself down. You'll soon find that you are able to keep your careful promises to others easily.

PROMISE NOT TO CUDDLE UP WITH YOUR APOLOGIES

It's also easy to be on friendly terms with our excuses. We condition ourselves to play it safe. We limit our adventures, discoveries, interests and risks. When we were children, this was usually not an issue. We simply 'went for it'.

No, I'm not suggesting throwing caution to the wind. Simply look at what holds you back. Is it that you are unwilling to experience even the slightest bit of discomfort or pain? Now, there's a conundrum. Is it possible to experience change without a little discomfort? That only happens when you change from dress shoes to bedroom slippers, or, some kind person provides you with clean Huggies!

Some folks think that the safe way is to do nothing. Great! Do you want the results that choosing to do nothing produces? If so, you are choosing wisely. If not, choose again. Even a decision to not take action is still taking an action. Be sure it makes sense for you.

Do you think that cuddling up with your apologies protects your ego? Nothing ventured, nothing risked = safety? Not so. It's never too late to try something new. Think you're too old? Think of Grandma Moses. Think folks will laugh? Who cares? Think of the value of laughter to them and proceed. Think you would fall on your face? So what? It's good exercise to pick yourself up and get going again.

Resist the urge to make excuses that keep you from your dreams. Don't make excuses. Make things happen!

© Rhoberta Shaler, PhD All rights reserved worldwide.

International speaker, coach & author Rhoberta Shaler, PhD, is an expert motivator. She gives you the strategies and motivation to shift your results from acceptable to EXCEPTIONAL in life and business. Her enthusiastic approach to life and her practical insights for creating success will give you the lift AND the kickstart to optimize life now. Dr. Shaler gives you the tools to turn your dreams and plans into measurable achievements. Invite her to lift your people to higher levels of motivation and productivity. Subscribe to her three free ezines. Visit www.OptimizeLifeNow.com For permission to reprint this article, contact mailto:Jane@OptimizeLifeNow.com

About the Author

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD, speaks, coaches & conducts seminars to provide the insights and strategies that help businesses prosper and people flourish. Author of Optimize Your Day: Practical Wisdom for Optimal Living and several other books and audio programs. Visit http://www.OptimizeLifeNow.com today for ezines, upcoming teleseminars, Optimize! Institute Seminars and lots of valuable, free information! For permission to re-publish this article, email mailto:info@OptimizeLifeNow.com

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