It’s already established that giving excuses attempts to divert the attention from you (the individual) and tries to explain several reasons for not accomplishing or carrying out various tasks. It also puts up a wall of defence for exhibiting particular behaviors such as failing to keep promises, quitting certain habits etc.
Below is a list of ways to stop making excuses
Winston Churchill said Responsibility is the price of greatness. It resumes and ends with you; the choices you must make, the responsibilities to live up to, the attitude you portray, your level of seriousness and commitment etc. In all you do, theres always an element of contribution towards your success/failure.
Examine how well you are fairing in every aspect of your life. Compare where you were yesterday with where you are now with where you aspire to be in the future. Monitor your behaviour, strategies etc. Are they making you head towards the right direction? Are your plans and strategies still effective? If yes, carry on, if no , don’t make excuses, but rather look for alternatives.
Learn from your mistakes: As humans, you will always make mistakes. Don’t give yourself a bad time. Learn from the experience of failing. Accept responsibility and look for solutions on how to resolve the problems rather than making excuses.
Develop a high level of self confidence in yourself, what you do and what you are good at. I have always emphasized focusing on your strengths and working on your limitations. Making excuses won’t get you anywhere; rather it will just increase your feelings of insecurity.
There are numerous opportunities to shine, improve yourself, grow physically mentally, morally but you won’t know this if you keep making excuses.
Being successful in anything doesnt come easy and its definitely not cheap. So cherish your successes, let them be a source of encouragement but at the same time look at your flaws. Work on it; be willing to learn from them.
Know what you can do or can’t do. Discover your limits.
Develop a high level of optimism
Be responsible, own up to your faults, successes, failures etc.
Create ideas. Don’t just sit there and make excuses, think hard and think well!!!
I have discovered that because we are overwhelmed by our fears, worries and inadequacies we do not to listen carefully to whats being said to us and quickly come up with all sorts of excuses.
Don’t be defensive: Avoid being defensive because your response to certain issues may be blunt and out of order. Gain control of your emotions and exercise a bit of patience. If youre going to stop making excuses, you have to learn to stop being defensive.
Go Forward: Whatever you do, wherever you are, in whatever situations you find yourself go forward!!!
It is important you make up your mind on how you want to deal with excuses. I believe there are more tips that could aid this. I look forward to your comments, thoughts, ideas and suggestions on ways to stop making excuses
Ayo Olaniyan is a certified Unitive Life Coach and Counsellor. He is a member of the EMCC, an accredited professional counsellor with the Counselling Society.You can visit the website Discovering Purpose to view or subscribe to self growth articles. Creating a purpose driven life through self growth
