Using the power of decision gives you the capacity to get past any excuse to change any and every part of your life in an instant.

– Tony Robbins

Like many of you, I have recently suffered from cedar fever, which turned into an upper respiratory nightmare that lasted for two weeks. Ironically (or you can call it karma), just two days prior to getting sick I was boasting about my flawless health.  Nonetheless, after feeling rotten for so long and experiencing poor health, I quickly felt sympathy for anyone who suffers chronically. It also made me even more eager to get well, begin exercising and start living my full life again. More than anything, even though I was legitimately sick, I was sick and tired of hearing my sick excuses. And somewhere in the process of saying “I’m sick and can’t do _____,” it dawned on me how easy it is to make and use excuses — for anything.

Recently, I’ve quoted from the book The Best Year of Your Life and author Debbie Ford provides excellent insight into what an excuse really is and how they sabotage our future:

Excuses keep us from taking responsibility for our lives and prevent us from seeing the truth about our current reality. They are literally an attempt to ‘excuse’ ourselves from acting like the responsible, powerful, creative human beings we are. Excuses become a socially acceptable way of giving ourselves the ‘out’ we might be looking for. Our excuses scream, ‘It’s not my fault’; ‘I couldn’t help it’; ‘I didn’t have time’; ‘My kids needed me’; That’s not in my job description’; ‘It’s too much work’; I’m too busy’; ‘Everything will fall apart if I don’t do it’. On the surface, these appear to be the truth but on closer examination, if we are wiling to look beyond the ‘I can’t,’ we will see that unless there is a circumstance that makes it physically impossible for us to do what we want to do, it is a form of an excuse. Even if it is justified, it’s still an excuse.

There’s no doubt that excuses can be justified, especially when we or a family member become ill, our job or financial situation takes a turn for the worse or life simply throws a series of curve balls, which is inevitable. With that said, we must determine the importance of experiencing our goal, dream, desire and best life. If it is NOT that important, then we’ll stay where we are and possibly always wonder “what if?” But, if it IS that important, we’ll not let excuses invade our vocabulary and steal our best life. It’s really that simple.

In conclusion, the esteemed counselor and author Wayne Dyer provides nine commonly used excuses, as well as affirmations to help us change our belief about them- and help us live an excuse-free, purposeful and fulfilling life!

• Excuse: It will be difficult. Affirmation: I have the ability to accomplish any task I set my mind to with ease and comfort.
• Excuse: It will take a long time. Affirmation: I have infinite patience when it comes to fulfilling my destiny.
• Excuse: I don’t deserve it. Affirmation: I am a divine creation, therefore I cannot be undeserving.
• Excuse: I can’t afford it. Affirmation: I am connected to an unlimited source of abundance.
• Excuse: I am not strong enough. Affirmation: I have access to unlimited assistance.
• Excuse: I’m too old, or not old enough. Affirmation: The age of my body has no bearing on what I do or who I am.
• Excuse: It is my personal family history. Affirmation: I live in the present by being grateful for all my life experiences as a child.
• Excuse: I’m too busy. Affirmation: As I unclutter my life, I free myself to answer the callings of my soul.
• Excuse: I’m too scared. Affirmation: I can accomplish anything I put my mind to, because I know that I am never alone.

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Point To Ponder:
Do you use excuses (justified or not) as a crutch or a way to avoid taking responsibility for a situation in your life that is worthy of attention?

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Action Item:
Identify the excuses you regularly tell yourself and others. Then, make the decision to stop making excuses and begin acting and reacting in ways that focus on what you can do, regardless of the circumstances.

By Neissa