We All Love A Great Excuse
“I’ll start my diet tomorrow.”
“I’m just too busy right now.”
“Must be nice to be able to do that.”
“I’ll try that when I’m not as stressed.”
“I could do that but…”
Ugh.
Enough.
How often do we find ourselves wanting more, but holding back? Letting our excuses dictate where our lives take us?
How often do you think there’s a barrier stopping you from accomplishing your goals and chasing your dreams?
It’s okay, you can admit it, because you’re not alone. We all fall prey to the excuses we tell ourselves. But when does the sitting, wishing, and waiting stop?
It stops when we tell it to.
But, duh, that’s the easy part. We already know all of this. We already know that we’re fully capable of putting our best foot forward, working hard, staying focused, and being better people.
And, if that’s the case, at what point do we stop ourselves? Where’s that mysterious line where we mentally “just can’t even” anymore…?
I don’t think I can answer these questions for you. They’re questions you have to ask yourself.
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Stop holding back. Stop telling yourself you can’t. The only person standing in the way is you. You want to get your life on track? Don’t start tomorrow, start now. Beginnings don’t have to begin on a Monday or at 12 AM or on the 1st. You want to stop drinking alcohol and eating crap? Then do it. And start by reading this super interesting article that I found. You want to start your own business? What’s your excuse for not? You want to make your passion your work? Work hard, learn all you can, and go do it. Grind it out each and every day.
</rant>
But, what I’m really trying to say (and not simply because I’m a millennial and was taught to chase my dreams) is that you can do it, but sometimes we let that little voice in our heads tell us we can’t and we need to stop him.
A Couple Inspiring Analogies For You
First
During lunch the other day, my brilliant coworker was talking about ROI (return on investment). Without getting into the nitty gritty, she was discussing the fear in investment, and how most people (well, for the sake of this story I’ll use the word “people”) feel more comfortable cutting costs, as opposed to investing in something that will create a greater return than what they invested. Cutting costs is guaranteed to save you money… but all you’ll be doing is saving money. Taking that leap of faith in investment could create a greater return than what you would’ve saved.
Her analogy: When someone wants to save money they tell themselves, “I’m not going to get Starbucks three times a week.” She said, “No, go out and make more money and then enjoy that Starbucks.”
My initial unsaid reaction: “But, what if they can’t just go out and make more money? But, what if… But… But… But…”
That little voice. That little monster that tells us we can’t do things was rearing it’s ugly head once again.
Take the chance and invest in your dreams… whatever that looks like for you.
Second
This morning I had scheduled my weekly Saturday long run. I woke up and the weather didn’t look promising, but I thought, “Eh, no time better than the present. Maybe the rain will hold out.” About a mile in, it started down pouring. Did I stop? No. Why? Well, half marathons don’t run themselves… and I found a strange sense of purpose as I ran through puddles and waved to other runners as crazy as I was.
I wasn’t going to sit around and wait for the rain to stop. I had a goal of running a long run. What could’ve been a hurdle, an excuse, I jumped over.
Third
Now say, for example, someone slashes your tire. You’re not going to sit and wait around and hope it fixes itself. Heck no. You’re on the phone with AAA or a towing company and getting it fixed so that you can get on with your life. Taking the necessary steps to fix what’s wrong and better your situation.
Why don’t we take that approach when chasing our dreams or bettering ourselves?
What’s wrong in your life? How can it be fixed? What are you going to do get to where you want to be? It all begins with you.
So, your hypothetical tire is fixed and you’ve moved on with your life in this fictional tale, but the person who did the tire slashing? He or she is the one presented with an opportunity here. He or she can better him or herself, or they can continue on with their evilness. It all begins with him or her. He or she decides how he or she wants to carry on in life. Doing good and spreading kindness or continuing to do bad.
Just as it all begins with you. Where do you want to be and how are you going to get there?
Conclusion
I challenge you today, right now, to take one step forward. Whatever that step may be is determined by you, but I can guarantee you’ll be one step closer to accomplishing your goals, your dreams. And, stop creating excuses… we’re tired of hearing them anyways ;).
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