How To Overcome Excuses and Reach Your Goals

As humans, we are innately programmed to seek and enjoy the feeling of comfort.

We don’t normally entertain the idea of putting forth extreme effort…

Instead, we look to take the path of least resistance...

…and when it comes to accomplishing something difficult, there’s almost always a part of us that immediately starts looking for a way out.

That’s where excuses come in.

WHY WE MAKE EXCUSES

What is an excuse?

It’s a rationalization for unacceptable behavior.

That’s it.

We invent excuses to remain comfortable and avoid doing the things we know are necessary to build an extraordinary life.

Even though some excuses may be based on factual information, or might even seem fully justifiable, they all have something in common:

They get in the way of accomplishment.

When we have ambition and huge goals, we’re also faced with self-doubt.

What if we’re not capable?

What if we fail?

An excuse offers a safety net.

When we fall short, the excuse allows us to say, “Well, it’s not really my fault.”

But it does something else as well...

It keeps us from fully committing to our goals, ourselves, and our development.

Excuses allow us to dip one foot in the water, without having to jump in the pool.

If you want to accomplish great things, you can’t let your excuses hold you back.

You need to fight your excuses, and stop fighting for them.

QUIT TAKING REFUGE

Our excuses are designed to point us to the path of least resistance.

They are lies that we tell ourselves to be comfortable now.

What most people fail to understand is...

Comfort now will mean discomfort later...

...and discomfort now will mean comfort later.

Here's why...

The hardship and uncomfortable situations you put yourself in to grow and pursue your goals will eventually give you a life that you can live on your own terms.

On the other hand...

Choosing the easy and comfortable things right now will guarantee that you won't be able to build a life that gives you the freedom to be comfortable.

You will be trapped in a constant state of struggle just to pay the bills, provide for your loved ones, or even just take care of yourself.

This is the exact reason you have to stop taking refuge in your excuses.

You have to fight for your life.

You need to be stronger than your excuses and learn to quell the weak voice in your head for good.

A DAILY CHOICE

So, what’s it going to be?

Are you going to fight to achieve your dreams ... or are you going to fight for your right to avoid them and stay comfortable?

At the end of the day, if you want to be stronger than your excuses, you need to make a choice.

You need to choose to stop letting excuses stand in the way.

To hell with your excuses.

You have to recognize them for what they really are.

They’re nothing more than lies.

They keep you from anything in life that is worthwhile.

They’re the denial of a truth that nearly everyone knows, but so many of us fail to put to use: Massive accomplishments come only from massive effort...

...and excuses lead directly to mediocrity.

From now until the day you die...

You have to fight off the weak, excuse-making dialogue in your head.

The good news is that as we learn to see our excuses for what they are, the fight does become easier.

Your ability to reject excuses is like flexing a muscle ... it only becomes stronger the more you use it.

HOW TO BE STRONGER THAN YOUR EXCUSES

The choice to stop giving your excuses control over your future is the first step, but it’s not the only one...

Once you decide to quit making excuses for yourself, you still need to look at how you approach your goals.

Evaluate your goals...

Are they clearly defined?

Can they be tracked?

Are your goals really your goals?

Being very specific and shooting for your ultimate potential gives you something much more compelling to chase after.

You have to be able to break your goals down into daily, actionable tasks that will bring you closer to your end goal every single day.

What actions do you need to take in order to reach your goals?

What obstacles stand in your way?

How do your tasks fit together to help you reach your goal?

After that, all that's left is to hold yourself accountable.

DITCH YOUR EXCUSES FOR GOOD

You're going to have plenty of bumps along the journey...

Don't ever let them allow you to justify your excuses.

When you fully dedicate yourself to achieving your dreams...

Ditch your excuses...

...and start taking action...

You'll never look back.

It will be nearly impossible for you to ever justify going back to the person you used to be.

Being stronger than your excuses is about seeing the world for what it really is...

A place where you can accomplish anything ... as long as you’re not too busy telling yourself that you can’t.