If you have passion, there is no need for excuses because your enthusiasm will trump any negative reasoning you might come up with. Enthusiasm makes excuses a nonissue.~Wayne Dyer
Recently, I rose at 4.45 am because I had an interview to prepare for.
I planned to jot only a few lines that morning which should be about the interview—like reading up the job description and taking notes of the important points, watching YouTube videos on potential interview Q & A and recollecting my experience, knowledge and skills. You know the spiel.
But instead, I decided to write this because I figured I could spend little time on it since I know what I want to discuss. So here goes!
The first comment I read on Instagram the previous night was a reply to my CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS.
She wrote “would have loved to participate, but I’m not a fan of Twitter”
My first reaction was a quirky chuckle. I imagined the sneering expression on Thierry Henry’s popular GIF and recalled the famous quote.
“If you want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse”.
I wanted to type that as a reply and scroll on but I paused.
Something, somewhere, somehow stopped me from making that ‘banger’ response.
This morning I scrolled through her profile and was immediately struck by “Medical student”.
Am I not supposed to encourage budding creatives?
Isn’t that why I spend time and money to encourage them?
I’m building a growing community and I focus on organic growth.
One by one and bird by bird.
So I replied.
“You don’t have to be a Twitter fan to write, we have medical students like you..join us to reward your intellect and pocket”.
She didn’t participate and hasn’t joined our writing community.
However, the conversation is there in black and white. Hopefully, someday she’ll reread it and act.
Now here is the thing about excuses.
In a world filled with distractions yet brimming with potential and opportunities, the greatest obstacle we often face is ourselves.
Time and again, we find ourselves making excuses for why we can’t pursue our goals, make necessary changes in our lives or even take an action as little as writing.
We all make excuses and oftentimes they come subconsciously.
Why?
Humans are wired so. When we face a situation or task our brains prefer making excuses over tackling it.
Whether it’s procrastination, fear of failure, or simply feeling overwhelmed, these excuses hinder our growth and keep us in a cycle of inaction.
However, breaking free from this cycle requires a conscious decision to take action and I’m sure you can find tons of tips on how to stop making excuses with a click.
Firstly, acknowledging the excuses we make is important. It starts with introspection; interrogate why you hesitate to act.
Is it rooted in fear? The fear of failure or its consequences.
Or do you worry about how others will perceive you?
Acknowledging our fears is the first step toward dismantling them.
Rather than allowing them to obstruct your progress, frame them as challenges to overcome. Do this and watch your thought process gradually shift from difficulties to possibilities.
Why?
Humans are equally designed to survive. As such we search for ways to surmount the challenges we may face and often come up with solutions.
The next step is setting attainable goals. I discussed this a lot at the beginning of my Success Journey series.
Oftentimes, we create lofty ambitions without breaking them down into manageable tasks. This can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed.
To combat this, start small. (Btw a popular slogan of mine is Start Small, Grow Big!). Or better still set just one major goal for the year and some minor goals that lead towards achieving your major target. Please watch this video to better understand what I’m saying.
Set achievable daily or weekly goals that align with your larger aspirations. For instance, if you aim to lose weight, begin with 20-minute walks daily or swapping those high-calorie foods for healthier options.
Of course, there will be slip ups. Breaking agelong habits is never easy.
Yet, these slip ups must never be perceived as failure.
Even when you have that perception you can embrace the concept of failing forward. Understand that failure is not the opposite of success, but rather a vital component of the journey. Each misstep provides invaluable lessons that can pave the way for progress. This mindset ultimately encourages you to take bolder actions without fear of the result.
And then as you grow in confidence, you should surround yourself with supportive and like minded individuals who inspire and challenge you. Whether it’s friends, family, mentors or communities, these connections can offer encouragement and accountability. Share your goals and intentions with them as this public commitment adds another layer of motivation to follow through. When you see others taking action and striving for their own dreams, it ignites a fire within you to do the same.
Finally, let me leave you with my greatest tip/trick.
I call it purpose-driven action and they can be lever-moving too!
I wake up at about 5 am every morning and usually have the luxury of quietude until 7.45 before school runs. I have till 7.30 forsooth, because I love using the last 15 minutes to check my feeds before I lose total control of the day.
On occasions, and I can tell you it’s more often than I would love to admit, I sleep late. So I wake up a bit lazy and lousy but still with a purpose.
What purpose?
To produce words in writing.
Now these words may or may not be published but I still have to write something.
My purpose-driven action is usually to get up to my attic and start hammering this keyboard.
To go about this I need to increase my blood flow to get the brain going.
So I do 20 squats, 20 push ups and 20 sit ups.
In between, I have my daily bread reading on my headphones.
So in 10–15 minutes my blood circulation is in full swing and I climb to the attic and start my day.
Purpose!
Because I had a purpose, albeit a small one, I was driven to make a move that would condition me to meet it.
I mean, climbing to the attic shouldn’t be a big deal but if I get up here without a robust blood circulation I could doze off again as the body may still be weak from inadequate rest.
I use this trick all the time and it works. If I feel too lazy to go to the gym, or lets say for instance I have a call to make but I hesitate because I havent articulated my thoughts. What I do is allow my brain instruct the body to do a quick physical exercise. Once my heart is pumping more, I get up and act.
We all get 24 hours per day. Nobody gets a second more!
So if you also make excuses to avoid taking action, even though you want to accomplish your goal quit stalling and start acting. Get your body moving and that improves the blood circulation that your brain needs to be sharper in providing solutions.
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