Preparing for a new year and living the new year can look like very different. Perhaps you have already met a roadblock to your plans and are wondering what to do next. Or, a challenge has come your way and you have no idea how you are going to be able to meet the expectations. I would like encourage you to avoid a danger: making excuses.
The word excuse can be a verb or noun. As a verb it can mean to attempt to lessen the blame attaching to (a fault or offense); seek to defend or justify. Or, it can mean release from a duty or requirement. As a noun it can mean a reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense. The origin of the word is Latin meaning ‘to free from blame,’ from ex- ‘out’ + causa ‘accusation, cause.’ In summary, it means to lessen blame or responsibility.
What has been asked of you lately? How did you respond? How quickly did you create an excuse to justify why you could not obey? Did you defend your rights to do something your way instead? Or, did you seek complete release from the request? What bargain did you try to negotiate?
Oh, that we would free from a life of making excuses to one that is open and free! Let’s rid our vocabulary of phrases like, “Well, not now…”, “But, I’m not as gifted as…”, “This is just not the right time…”…
Are you ready to seriously deal with your excuses? Here are five steps to take:
- Emphasize the positive. Forget your feelings; negative decisions usually rise out of negative feelings. Instead, look for the fun in something, the joy in it.
- Take responsibility. You cannot blame others on this one. It’s your responsibility to do your part. Focus on what you can and should do.
- Find a solution. This might take some thought but problems have solutions. Take the time to figure out the best solution for the situation. You might want to brainstorm with others, too. Just be sure that the people you select are can do people.
- Set your goal. After planning, start walking. Set your goal and move towards it. You might not reach it today or even this week but start with the next right step.
- Choose an accountability partner. Hopefully, you have someone that will help you stay on track. If not, don’t let that become an excuse! Move forward anyway. However, if you have a friend to walk the journey with you, so much the better.
Are you ready for an off the wall encouragement? Look at this commercial and then take a little time to consider the excuses you have been making. Then, turn around and go for it!
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That Nike commercial is very powerful Dean, really puts things in perspective. Nike’s “Just Do It” motto has always struck me as the very best example of mantra brilliance.
Your five steps are good ones, and I think that first one is important from a practical standpoint. True that it helps improve our attitude and I have learned there is also scientific evidence that it is smart strategy. As amazing as our brains are they only deal with one thought at a time – replacing a negative thought with a positive one knocks out the obstacle: Believe in your Biology!
Thanks, Rosa. I am amazed at how our brains work, too. Even though they might process one thought at a time, I wonder if the speed of thought has an affect.
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