Excuses

My second attempt in writing this. And how appropriate for me to experience an internal pushback as I am collecting my thoughts on EXCUSES…

Let me tell you – there are plenty of these. Every morning. Every evening. Every day.

Let’s workout –> I am so tired; I will sleep in instead.

You wanted to work on this project in the evening –> I will do it tomorrow; I must reply to all these emails right now.

You said you want to practice intermittent fasting –> I will take this extra bite right now because I need to stay focused a little longer.

Anyone else out there? Any of you who can so effortlessly identify at least a dozen of LEGIT excuses when it comes to execution of some projects?

What I have been noticing for myself is a pattern. It appears that it is way easier to get fooled by excuses when I work on something that requires 100% self-drive, lots of unknown and completely made-up deadlines. Think of building a business, following through with well-being routine, writing a book, scheduling a health check, working a long-term vision.

It is so much easier to find myself in reactive mode with non-stop flow of external requests, meetings, reports, decisions that include/impact other people.

Why is that way?

Is it just me?

Or is it a common pattern that many of us face?

As I dig deeper into this, I realize that at times it is just hard to face a potential failure. Why would you start a business if there is a 100% chance of failing on one or more steps? Why would anyone sign up for this?

Why would anyone “starve” (intentionally in quotes) themselves when comfort of yummy meal sounds so much better?

As I am learning the art of transformational work and coaching my clients, I see it so clearly. Excuses is a natural default pattern. It is a way to save us from hurt, frustration, disappointment. Excuses is a way not to feel discomfort, not to face failure, not to deal with “I don’t know”.

So, how do we get out of our own way and overcome excuses?

I wish I could provide a magic answer, but I believe there is no magic. The only magic is to have a desire that is bigger than our excuses.

When you know your WHAT FOR, when you are clear about your VISION, when your internal WHY is bigger than you, the excuses will not win. When you have a dream and you are on a mission to achieve it even (if you don’t have any external support/accountability), excuses do show up, but they also don’t have control over you. You have a power to address the emotion and not to get lured in by excuses.

So, what is your excuse today? And what are you gonna do about it?

P.S. I must mention also that excuses can show up when your tank is empty. It can be a sign that you seriously need a break. So consider exploring what is your capacity, what are our boundaries, what is a priority and if you can physically do it all. Be honest – the answer is there waiting for you if you allow yourself to hear it.

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This newsletter is my attempt to share best practices learned, insights gained, opportunities created. It is a way to keep myself accountable to the big goals creating a ripple effect on thousands of people who look for change but still struggle with “But I don’t know how” and getting in their own way.

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Thank you for giving me some grace when I get cut in my excuses, overschedule and miss a week or two in my newsletter.

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Next week I will be writing about coming back and how taking a break and recharging yourself will help you get out of your way in continuing on with your pursuits.