Excuses

I had good intentions.  But my cup runneth over.  Or should I say, my plate is too full and I just couldn’t get it all done?  Or better yet, I have many excuses to justify why I just can’t do it.

Last night I had every intention of getting it done.  But after a long two days, getting home late, unloading, then checking on an issue with the house.  Not to mention that the next day we had dinner with friends, then worked all day, and Carmen worked even later. I didn’t get it done.  After all, I was exhausted.

So last night I felt my actions (or lack of them) were justified because of the previous two days.  I am totally justified.  After all, I needed to chill, re-energize, and be ready for a productive day today.

Definition of Excuses:

• (verb) – attempt to lessen the blame attached to (a fault or offense); seek to defend or justify.

• (noun) – a reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense.

Benjamin Franklin once said,

Yikes!  Of course that is not talking about me!

In my work as a consultant and coach, I’ve heard plenty of excuses for why business owners are not successful.  It is understandable because I’ve been there.  There are plenty of challenges as a business owner.  Or for that matter there are plenty of challenges in any area of life as an employee, as a parent, as a spouse, heck…as a human being!

List of Excuses:

• I can’t compete because I am just not good enough.
• I don’t have the money.
• The customer is too picky.
• No one ever told me that.
• I’m too old for this.
• I don’t have the support I need.
• I just can’t get motivated – I’ll just start tomorrow.
• I don’t have the talent or skills or knowledge.
• I’m afraid, so I’ll just stick to what I’m already doing or what I know.

What’s the best excuse you’ve ever used?  Put it in the comments below.

Most famous excuse ever used

Genesis 3:12  ESV

The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”

Let me be blunt here.  There are no excuses.

The world isn’t getting any better.  You are not getting any younger.  It’s 2022.  it’s time to start moving forward.  There is no entitlement.  There are NO roadblocks to accomplishing what you want, only excuses.  So no more excuses, agreed?

If not now, when?  Don’t let the days slip into weeks, then months into another year gone by.  There are solutions to every one of the above excuses and more.  It’s time to quit the excuses and put a plan in place to make it happen. 

Are not your dreams and goals worth it?  Isn’t that why you started a business or took the job you have – to make a difference?  To make an impact?  Do you not know the difference you make?  For your family, those you work with, the people around you, and your community? 

Matthew 28:18-19  ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

This is the great commission.  This is God’s purpose. That all would come to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  So if He has been given all authority, and He is sending you to implement your plan, to have an impact, don’t you know that He will equip you to accomplish that which He sent you forth to do?

Challenge of the Week

Write out all the excuses you are using as to why you can’t.  Now sit with Jesus (because He’s there with you) and work through the excuses you have been using.  Now refocus on your dreams (your motivation), and go get it done!  So be it!

PS – Email me and I will give you some simple strategies to start putting this into action.