Wednesday, September 18, 1996

Excuse busters

For everything that needs to be done, there are always dozens of excuses for not doing it. Doubt and fear will paralyze you if you let them. Resolve to bust your excuses by turning them on their head. Your goals, your dreams are too important to be stopped by lame excuses. The next time you feel an excuse coming on, fight back with this list of excuse busters.

I don’t know how -- Then make the effort to learn.

It’s too hard -- Anything worth having, or doing, or being, requires effort.

It will take too long -- Then that’s all the more reason to get started right away.

What will people think -- That’s their problem. Let them think what they will. It doesn’t matter.

I’ll do it as soon as I get back on my feet -- Taking positive action toward your goals is precisely what will GET you back on your feet.

I might fail -- Yes, when you try you might fail. However, if you don’t try, then you’ll certainly fail.

I’m too busy -- What are you accomplishing with all that busy-ness? Simply being “busy” gets you nowhere. Stop being busy, evaluate your priorities, and start taking focused, directed action.

I don’t know where to start -- Envision the ultimate goal, and work backwards, step by step, until you arrive at something that can be done right now. Then do it. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Take that step, and then the next one. Repeat until done.

I have too many obligations -- In order to be of service to others, you must first be true to your own purpose in life. Your obligation to yourself is what enables you to fulfill your obligations to others.

These things never work out -- That is correct. “Things” never do work out. You must work them out. The various situations you encounter provide you with opportunities, not sure bets. You must recognize those opportunities and do the work necessary to take advantage of them.

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You deserve the best from yourself -- no excuses. Spend your energy taking action, rather than thinking up excuses.

— Ralph Marston

Think for yourself Getting Past Denial next

Copyright ©1996 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. All Rights Reserved. The Daily Motivator is provided for your personal, non-commercial use only. Other than personal sharing, please do not re-distribute without permission.