Have you ever almost made a decision towards something you thought would help you get the results you wanted, but hesitated instead? Many times, instead of taking a bold step out of our comfort zone to have the life we want, we retreat back to what we know…even if that life is no longer tolerable.
Pay attention the next time someone is talking about what they would “love to do”, and you’ll probably hear them make an excuse as to why they don’t have it. We make excuses so often and use them as “reasons” that hold us back from being successful that most of us aren’t aware we’re even doing it! Let’s go over some of the excuses we all make, how to recognize them and simple ways to overcome them and take action.
Think of something you want to happen in your life right now. Do you want to lose weight? Live healthier? Start a family? Pursue a new passion? Once you know what you want to happen in your life, ask yourself, “Why hasn’t this happened yet? Where am I getting stuck?”
Most of us know what we want but don’t take the action steps required to get it because of excuses. Many women want to lose weight, but they make the excuse of not having enough time to exercise, money to purchase weight equipment or healthy foods, or energy to get up and do it every day.
When you really look into it, we make time for the things that are important to us. Losing weight isn’t costly (exercising outdoors doesn’t cost anything and eating healthfully can save you loads when you’re not buying fast foods); it actually costs you more to remain heavy or unhealthy in terms of healthcare costs…especially down the road. And the reason most of us don’t have the energy or motivation to lose weight is because we’re sedentary and lack the support that will push us to reach our goals.
Do you see how most of us get caught in a web of excuses that keep us in a pattern that created our current reality? We say we want things to be different, but we mentally stop ourselves before we ever get going.
So, why do we make excuses? For most people, making changes triggers a deep fear of getting out of their comfort zone and succeeding. Making an excuse is the “easy way out” to avoid pursuing your goal and facing the possibility of failing (or experiencing some type of pain).
Think about it: If you want to change your lifestyle in some way, your mind may immediately begin thinking (even subconsciously), “What if I fail? What if I hate eating healthily? What will I have to give up? What if I’m ostracized by my friends when I change? What if I gain the weight back?” So, instead of addressing these fears and moving forward, we make excuses that seem to justify our inaction.
Notice the next time you make an excuse that keeps you from prioritizing the things you want most in your life. Ask yourself: What am I really afraid of? Why don’t I want to take the next step?
Making excuses takes away your power and subconsciously creates a statement of defeat. You do have the power and ability to create change, so you must tell yourself the truth.
Yes, your goal may require a time commitment, it may require money that stretches your budget, and it may require you to get out of that comfortable bubble where you never make mistakes or fail. But the truth is that nothing feels more liberating than taking action, getting results and learning how capable you are of having the life you want.
Excuses are merely a response to fear. Making them takes away your ability to turn your goal into a reality. Get clear on where you’re making excuses and ask different questions to challenge your excuses. Once you do this, you will be empowered to take action and move closer to the things you want in your life.
Action Step: Start asking some questions to squash your excuses and move towards your goal. Even if your schedule is jam-packed, could you find the time to pursue your goal if you were committed?
Although your budget is really tight right now, could you cut back on some things to afford your goal or save money to pay for it? Could you find more affordable ways to reach your goal?
-Katie Humphrey
As a keynote speaker, empowerment coach, author and spokesperson, Katie Humphrey inspires women to feel fit, confident and motivated. Her dynamic Revolution of YOU brand helps overwhelmed and stressed out women confidently reach their goals.
