Don’t let Your Excuses Kill Your Goals and Dreams, Tips to Overcome Them
Everyone of us has goals and dreams that we wish to achieve in life. Maybe you want to start a business, write a book, travel the world, or learn a new skill. But how often do you find yourself making excuses for not taking action on your goals and dreams? How often do you say things like: – I don’t have enough time – I don’t have enough money – I don’t have enough skills – I don’t have enough confidence – I don’t have enough support – I don’t have enough motivation – I don’t have enough clarity These excuses may sound reasonable and valid, but they are actually killing your goals and dreams.
They are preventing you from taking the necessary steps to move forward and achieve what you want. They are keeping you stuck in your comfort zone, where nothing changes and nothing grows. But the truth is, you can overcome these excuses and start taking action on your goals and dreams today. You don’t need to wait for the perfect conditions or the perfect moment. You just need to decide that you want it badly enough and that you are willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.
Excuses keep you small:
Every time you put your attention on the reasons you can’t do what you want to do, how little time you have to devote to the goals and dreams you really want to focus on, or the fact that you don’t have this or that resource to help you advance in life, you’re building a future that, once you arrive there, you won’t want to live.
You’ve developed the practise of giving up and choosing the easy route:
Even though it’s difficult to hear when someone else says it, it’s accurate. If you’re not living the life you want, it’s because you made compromises, chose to stay in your comfort zone, and chose the simple route by putting the blame for your situation on other people and situations. You’ve adapted to living an average existence and have grown accustomed to it.
This Can Be Changed Right Now:
Giving up the excuses is the first step. Yes! all of them! You must eliminate everything that keeps you mediocre before you can achieve your full potential, and your excuses are at the top of the list. Here are some tips to help you overcome your excuses and start working on your goals and dreams:
01. Identify your excuses and challenge them.
The first step is to become aware of the excuses that you are making and how they are holding you back. Write down all the excuses that you use to avoid taking action on your goals and dreams. Then, for each excuse, ask yourself: Is this really true? Is this really a valid reason for not doing what I want? What evidence do I have to support this excuse? What evidence do I have to contradict this excuse? How can I overcome this excuse or find a way around it?
02. Breathe and let yourself relax
Work that counts can be uncomfortable at times. It’s simple to check your email, run around, and do busy work, which is why so many people do it while accomplishing nothing of value. When you encounter an excuse, take a moment to reflect on whether it is trying to warn you that you are moving in the wrong direction or if you are simply dodging an essential task.
03. Pay Attention to your Mindset
We all want to pursue our goals and lead satisfying lives, but these things don’t happen unless you have a strong sense of determination. To make it happen, you must dedicate yourself. No fairy is arriving to fulfil your wishes. You must move on your own. When it comes to pursuing your passion, you need to cease giving yourself reasons not to.
04. Set SMART goals and break them down into manageable steps.
The next step is to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that will help you achieve your dreams. SMART goals help you clarify what you want, how you will get there, and when you will get there. They also help you track your progress and celebrate your achievements. Once you have set your SMART goals, break them down into smaller and more manageable steps that you can take on a daily or weekly basis. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by your big goals and dreams.
05. Create a plan and schedule your actions:
Create a plan that will guide you through the steps that you need to take to achieve your goals and dreams. A plan helps you organize your thoughts, prioritize your tasks, and stay focused on your direction. It also helps you anticipate potential challenges and prepare for them in advance. Once you have created your plan, schedule your actions in your calendar or planner. This will help you commit to your actions and make them part of your routine. It will also help you avoid procrastination and distractions.
06. Find an accountability partner or a coach:
Find someone who can support you, motivate you, and hold you accountable for your actions. This can be a friend, a family member, a colleague, a mentor, or a coach. Having an accountability partner or a coach can help you stay on track with your goals and dreams, especially when you face challenges or setbacks. They can also provide you with feedback, advice, encouragement, and inspiration.
07. Reward yourself for your achievements and learn from your failures.
The seventh step is to reward yourself for every achievement that you make along the way, no matter how big or small. Rewards can be anything that makes you happy or proud of yourself, such as a treat, a compliment, a celebration, or a recognition. Rewards help you reinforce your positive behavior and boost your self-esteem and confidence. They also help you enjoy the journey and not just the destination. On the other hand, when you encounter failures or mistakes, don’t beat yourself up or give up on your goals and dreams. Instead, treat them as learning opportunities and use them to improve yourself and your actions.
08. Practice Self-Compassion
Be kind to yourself. Overcoming your excuses can be a difficult process, and it’s important to practice self-compassion. You should be kind and understanding to yourself just as you would be to a buddy. Keep in mind that improvement requires time, and that it’s acceptable to make mistakes along the way. Remember, your excuses are killing your goals and dreams, but you have the power to overcome them and start taking action today. Follow these tips and start working on your goals and dreams now. You will be amazed by what you can achieve when you stop making excuses and start making things happen.
Some common excuses people give and their possible remedies:
01. I don’t have enough time
You make time for the activities that are significant to you. Just the facts. The self-help book Atomic Habits imparts this information. By forming great routines, you can prioritise the things that are crucial. This knowledge is imparted in the self-improvement novel Atomic Habits. You can prioritise things that are important by developing excellent habits. You will find the time if you truly want something.
02. I don’t have enough money
Look for options. There are other methods to improve your credentials, for instance, if you want to improve your skills but can’t afford college tuition. Get certified in a specific skill, volunteer at a non-profit group, or on your days off, intern for a small business. If you own a company, think about bartering. (Trading your services or products). Always find a solution. Finding solutions to support your development might just require a little more effort on your part.
03. I’m not talented enough
You should develop love for your confidence if this describes you. It’s crucial to carry yourself with confidence. You must have the conviction that you deserve of all the wonderful things you want.
04. I’m not smart enough
You CAN master anything if you want to. Engage your intellect. You are more powerful than you realise.
05. It’s too late to start now
It’s never too late. Just find out what inspires, influences, and fascinates you. Create a strategy for the obstacles that are truly essential to you and work towards your objectives one step at a time.
06. I’m too tired
If you’re always too exhausted, you might actually require medical care to identify the source of your issue. But if you’re constantly exhausted, there’s a good chance you don’t have enough inspiring, motivating, and passion-stoking things in your life, presuming your fatigue isn’t a result of a health issue. Start engaging in activities you enjoy that are productive, uplifting, and have a beneficial impact on both you and others. Learn more about something that ignites a fire inside of you and become hooked to the feeling of assisting others. Then, assess your level of fatigue.
07. It’s too hard
Concentrate on accomplishing your goals! The people who truly succeed are the ones with drive and perseverance. Bring on a companion for accountability. Read inspiring stories. Consider using affirmations. Take the necessary actions to keep your thoughts and energy directed towards a successful result.
