Life is full of excuses. Or how I like to mask it, "reasons".
Let me tell you my story. For me it was life changing. To you it may seem like no big deal.
I had just got home from a business trip late the night before. So naturally I slept in the next morning. Acceptable being a Saturday. I was running through my to do list before needing to be at a prior engagement later that evening. My list kept growing. Unpack, do laundry, check email, catch up on work, do the dishes, and the list went on.
Then. the thought of going to the gym crossed my mind. It's been a while since I worked out. I was feeling lethargic and low on energy. None of my clothes seemed to fit me well and I really didn't feel good in any of them. Exercise is important for overall health too, so naturally it's a good place to spend my time.
Those of you who don't know me, I'll find any excuse to not work out. I began to justify not going to the gym that day. My workout process takes too long, I only have a few hours to knock out my to do list, I have to be somewhere soon, I'll have to wash my hair, and on and on I went justifying why I just can't go to the gym.
Then I stopped myself. I said 'no' to ME. Any workout is better than no workout. My body and mind need this. So I put on my clothes, got in my car, and drove to the gym.
When I got home, I felt amazing. I didn't accomplish everything on my to do list, but then again, do you ever? There will always be something else to do. Always another thing to add to the list.
There were a few lessons I took from this.
First, there are important things that shouldn't be put off. There will always be one thing or another that you will need to do. However, not every single one of those things furthers your life or the value you need. I was creating what I thought were legitimate reasons why I didn't have time to workout when really they were excuses. Eventually all that stuff could get done, but I was putting off important things to do not so important things.
Second, say 'NO' to your excuses so you can say 'YES' to yourself. Be honest with yourself. This is hard. I go around justifying to make myself feel better about not doing certain things. You're either saying yes or no to things all the time, so to be able to say yes to important things like going to the gym, by saying no to other things on your to do list.
Lastly, by no longer accepting excuses from myself, I no longer accepted excuses from others. Professionally, I was able to hold those I worked with more accountable to their actions and results. I didn't realize this until I learned to discipline myself. I was having a hard time holding others accountable because I wasn't holding myself accountable. It was hard to say to someone 'just do it' when I knew deep down, I wasn't.
So, point being. Question your reasons or 'excuses' and don't let them stop you from doing what is necessary.
TAKE ACTION!
Your Turn: Choose one thing in your life you have put off for one reason or another. And tell yourself NO to your excuse.
