Quit Your Excuses: Reach Your Dreams

by Tess

Quit your excuses. Reach your dreams. Everyone has an excuse for some area of their life. Mine has been, "It's too hard!" 

What excuse are you willing to quit? Are you willing to move beyond yours? 

Are you willing to be a beginner? Are you willing to experience the different and the difficult?

We have more help available to us than ever before. We have access to books, blogs, classes, courses, conferences, retreats, workshops, coaches, therapists, speakers, and support groups. 

Take advantage of them! 

Who you are or where you’ve been doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is each time you get off track, you begin again. Continue to grow. Drop your excuses. Do what you need to do. Today.

Go ahead and fail. The wonderful thing about life is that we can always shift our perception and choose to begin again.  

I can't.

You fear failure.

You lack self-confidence. Build your courage muscles. Take small steps to prove to yourself that you can! Failure is a stepping stone to success. Fail often. 

I was never afraid of failure, for I would sooner fail than not be among the best. ~ John Keats 

I’ll try. 

You lack faith in yourself.

There is a saying in AA, “Trying is lying.” Try to get out of your chair. Just try. You’ll discover that you either get out of your chair or you don’t. There is no trying. Trying is lying. 

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. ~ A. France

Not now.

You lack commitment.

You’re a procrastinator. Don’t put off your life. Each day is precious. If not today, when? The only way to get over your fear is to get through it. Begin now.

All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible. ~ Orison Swett Mardan

I don’t have the money.

You’re not ready. 

How much do you spend on food, drinks, fancy coffee, gadgets, or clothes? Create a savings plan. Invest the money you save in something that will take you where you want to go. 

We spend money that we do not have, on things we do not need, to impress people who do not care. ~ Will Smith

I’m afraid.

You won’t push yourself. 

Turn your fear into excitement. Did you ever watch the swimmers at the start of an ironman or triathlon? Olympians are afraid. They are fueled by fear and they use it to their advantage.

You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith. ~ Mary Manin Morrissey

I have a real job.

You’re unwilling to go the extra mile.

How do you spend your free time? Do you waste time by investing it in gaming, watching TV, porn or (fill in the blank)? Create boundaries. Replace a bad habit with a good one or get help for an addiction.

Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes…but no plans. ~ Peter F. Drucker

I don’t have any experience.

You don’t give yourself enough credit.

Everyone has life experience. You only need to apply it to other areas. Enhance what you already know. Take a class. Learn a new language. Watch YouTube videos. Figure it out. Ask for help!

All the world is a laboratory to the inquiring mind. ~ Martin H. Fischer

I’m not an expert.

You’re not disciplined.

You become an expert by doing. According to the 10000 Hours Rule to become an expert at any craft, you need to practice for 10000 hours.

How many hours have you already invested? How many more do you need? If you spend 3 hours a day, you need 10 years and if you spend 6 hours a day on your craft you only need 5 years. Don't give up. Overnight success is a myth.

Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced. ~ John Keats

My family will think I’m crazy.

You need the approval of others.

Be crazy! Who cares? This is your life. Don’t waste it. You have talent and wisdom. Use it. Chances are your family thinks that you’re crazy anyway.

Lean too much on other people’s approval and it becomes a bed of thorns. ~ Tehyi Hsieh

It’s too hard.

Your not willing to put in the effort.

Of course it is! Get a mentor. Join a support group. Stretch yourself. Decide to succeed no matter what. Act as if your happiness depends on it. Make hard fun. Laugh at your mistakes and enjoy your journey!

If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. ~ Louis D. Brandeis

What' your favorite excuse? Are you ready to move on? Please share!

    { 14 comments… read them below or add one }

    Dan Garner January 22, 2013 at 10:54 am

    One again, great post. You’ve pretty much covered it all here Tess, how are you going to top this? I’m sure you will find a way.

    Dan @ ZenPresence
    Dan Garner´s last post…Ridiculous

    Reply

    Tess January 23, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    Thanks so much Dan. You’re support is soooo appreciated.

    Reply

    Peggy Nolan January 22, 2013 at 6:29 pm

    Fabulous post Tess! I owe you a HUGE apology because I never did do my 10 minute video. No excuses. Nothing I thought I’d have time to do over the holidays got done. I’ve been reorganizing my life so that I can do these things. I feel like a heel for not getting back to you sooner!
    Peggy Nolan´s last post…30 Pounds Ago: The Me I Want Back

    Reply

    Tess January 23, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    No worries Peggy!

    Reply

    Suzie Cheel January 22, 2013 at 7:52 pm

    Brilliant Tess, Reading this made me realize how far I have moved on – i recognise almost all those I’ll……. that I have used at one time or the other. I might ad in I am not enough- covered by many of the above and one that stops many…….
    my current one until last week I don’t have budget for it ……. that keeps you out of the game too
    Suzie Cheel´s last post…Lucky To Be Alive: My Year Of Living Positively

    Reply

    Tess January 23, 2013 at 5:54 pm

    Suzie,
    Last week must have been powerful! So glad to hear you’ve moved on. That rocks!

    Reply

    Sandra Pawula January 23, 2013 at 11:26 am

    Hi Tess,

    I definitely recognize a few of those excuses as mine! Not have a money and have real work are two that pop up from time to time. But, like Suzie, I see how far I come and how I keep dissolving the obstacles that are in my way. This post is so on target!
    Sandra Pawula´s last post…Gently Lean Into Fear

    Reply

    Tess January 23, 2013 at 5:55 pm

    Sandra,
    Count me in as well. Both for having fears and moving through them. Isn’t life grand?

    Reply

    Trevor January 23, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    This was great! Inspiring and true.

    Nothing is more useless or worthless than a good excuse. Excuses hold us back. Excuses beat us down.

    Excuses accomplish nothing.

    Drop the excuses. Your burden will be much lighter.

    Cheers!
    Trevor´s last post…Easy Weight Loss with the “Kill It or Grow It” Diet Plan

    Reply

    Tess January 23, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    Trevor,

    I can’t agree with you more. My burden is lighter as well;)

    Reply

    Cathy Taughinbaugh January 24, 2013 at 7:50 am

    Hi Tess,

    Great reminders! I have found myself using those excuses from time to time. With time, I’ve learned that action is far better than giving into my fears.
    Cathy Taughinbaugh´s last post…The Dance – the Family Disease of Addiction

    Reply

    Galen Pearl January 24, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    My big excuse is time, as in not having enough of it. Yet, I have more uncommitted, unscheduled time in my life right now than I’ve had in over 30 years. So really, why is that an excuse?! Oddly, right now my dreams are more about non-action, going inward, being in quasi-retreat. What do I do instead? Keep busy! Yes, I’m doing things I like, but every day feels too filled up. So your post has made me take a good hard look at why I’m blocking myself from doing more of what I really want to be doing right now. Thank you for the kick in the pants! (You’re always good for that–ha!)
    Galen Pearl´s last post…The Gift That Keeps On Giving

    Reply

    Victor Schueller January 24, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    One of my favorites is a more “passive” excuse — “I don’t know how you find the time to …”

    Nicely done Tess! Thank you! :)
    Victor Schueller´s last post…Are You Ready to Flip the Switch? | VictorSchueller.com

    Reply

    lori January 26, 2013 at 12:10 pm

    Hi Tess. Just a point. In this line under It’s too Hard:

    Your not willing to put in the effort.

    the incorrect form of Your is used. Sorry, I know this is crazy but that type of stuff jumps out at me and I know I’d want someone pointing it out to me if it can be corrected. (Which I’m assuming it can).

    I do enjoy reading your blog and the points you raise are certainly encouraging. Thank you for all that you do.

    Reply

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