goal setting

We all have goals and dreams we’d love to reach in life, but too often, we find a way to create one excuse after another to discourage ourselves.

I always say, “Making excuses is just your subconscious trying to negotiate surrender before you’ve even tried,” so here are twenty of the most common excuses we make – and how to break through them!

I’m scared.

Everyone who has been in your position or tried something new and exciting is scared. In fact, if you aren’t scared, then your goal or dream probably isn’t big enough and you should aim higher!

It’s too hard.

Your goal may be difficult, but that’s what makes it a goal and not something that everyone can easily do! The harder it is, the bigger the challenge, the more you’ll grow while pursuing it – no matter what the outcome – and the sweeter the feeling once you’ve achieved it.

That’s just who I am.

You are NOT predestined to be a winner, a loser, or anything in between. You control your future starting today, and every single day. Remember that today is a gift, and that’s why they call it the ‘present!’

Someone else will do it better/beat me to it.

If you’re intimidated by competition, remember that 4,042 different climbers have ascended Mount Everest, and it is still the ultimate accomplishment!

I’m not ready.

You don’t get ready by getting ready; you get ready by doing and then figuring it out as you go.

I’m not like other people.

That’s a good thing. They say there is nothing new under the sun, so whatever you’re undertaking, no one can do it uniquely the way YOU will!

I don’t know where to start.

Start by doing something – ANYTHING! Taking action – even that first step in the right direction – is the single most important way to get over your excuses.

  What will people think?

No matter what you do, there will be people that talk ill or look down on you. But the fun part is that the more you start to achieve, the more naysayers and doubters you’ll agitate! Your goal is to have haters! 

What if I fail?

There is nothing wrong with failure. In fact, we should embrace failure, because we can learn, grow, and get stronger from it. But there is something wrong with giving up, and that choice lies entirely with you.

I’m too old to start.

Ray Kroc didn’t establish his first McDonalds restaurant until age 52. Vincent Van Gogh didn’t start painting until 27. Author Frank McCourt, who penned the famous book, Angela’s Ashes, didn’t take up writing until he was 65 years old. Sure, there are overnight successes and prodigies, but for the most part, show me an “overnight success” and I’ll show you someone who’s worked tirelessly at it for years or decades! 

I’m not talented enough/smart enough.

Talent is over rated. Hard work, manners, punctuality, teamwork, and commitment are not. And if you find that you’re ever the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. You can learn from brilliant people without being one of them.

I don’t have the support.

The only support you really need is your own, but there are plenty of ways to get accountability partners, workout partners, etc. if you really look for them. Seek out those who inspire and motivate you, and cut out the others! 

I don’t have enough time.

Every single person on the planet has the same amount of hours in the day. Can you somehow carve out an hour every day to dedicate towards your dreams and goals? 30 minutes? No matter how big or small your time commitment, if you eliminate wasted time and stay consistent and disciplined, you can move mountains.

I’ll start tomorrow.

This is one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves. There is no tomorrow. It doesn’t exist yet. TODAY is the only thing that matters, and your commitment to act today will make all the difference.

I’m too tired.

Energy is contagious, so the harder you work and the closer you get to your goals, the more energized you’ll be! And regrets will sap your energy far more than effort.

I’m not educated enough.

Education is for a piece of paper. Learning, however, is a lifelong endeavor, possible for anyone. If you have Internet, a public library, and can read, you literally can access every shred of information and learning from the greatest minds in history.

I can’t handle failure.

The pain of discipline is far, far less than the pain of regret. And in the status quo you’re living in, you already don’t have that goal or achievement, so you have nothing to lose!

I don’t know if I will succeed.

Of course you don’t know. We can’t control the outcome of our efforts, but that’s nothing to be frustrated by. That’s because what you CAN control is if you give up or not, and that’s a conscious choice. Choose not to give up and success is inevitable.

I don’t believe I can do it.

You’ve probably been barraging yourself with negative self-talk and limiting beliefs your whole life, and embracing every failure while dismissing your victories. But there are ways to train your mind, just like you train your muscles, so with even the smallest step in the right direction or the first smallest victory, belief will grow from a seed to a tall, strong tree.

I can’t do it!

I hear this so often, but then I give people this advice and it creates tremendous advice. I tell them, “If someone offered you a million dollars if you could get this done (whatever it is), would you be able to do it?” You’d be surprised how many people answer “heck yes!” and then realize they just removed their own excuse!

I need help!

We all need help sometimes in life, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, asking for help is sometimes the critical breakthrough people need! We’re here to help you, guide you, and coach you all the way across the finish line of achieving your dreams, so contact us!