Feeble Excuses

Feeble(ˈfēbəl) Excuses

By Steve Pavlina

Excuses are lies we tell ourselves to avoid dealing with unpleasant(ˌənˈplezənt) truths. But as long as we buy into those excuses, we can never move past them. Instead of addressing the underlying problem, we merely(ˈmi(ə)rlē) hide the symptoms(ˈsim(p)təm). One of the most important steps in personal growth is to uproot excuse-making and confront(kənˈfrənt) the real issues behind the excuses with consciousness(ˈkän(t)SHəsnəs) and courage.

Here are some of the most common excuses and their underlying truths:

I don’t have enough time.

Whenever you hear yourself making this statement, you know deep down it isn’t the truth. The real truth is that you haven’t made that which you supposedly(səˈpōzədlē) lack time for important enough. You’re really saying, “That just isn’t important enough to me.” I don’t have time to exercise. I don’t have time for a relationship. I don’t have time to start my own business. Of course you have time. You have as much time as anyone else does, and other people are already doing these same things. The difference is that they make it more of a priority(prīˈôrətē) in their lives than you do. You aren’t a victim(ˈviktəm) of circumstances(-stəns,ˈsərkəmˌstans). If you don’t like your circumstances, change them.

It’s amazing that people who say they don’t have time somehow find plenty(ˈplen(t)ē) of time for marginal(ˈmärjənl) activities like watching TV. If you don’t have time to exercise, then surely you don’t have time to watch any TV at all. Such people are really saying that exercise simply isn’t important enough to them. It’s easier to blame(blām) the problem on a lack of time, but the real problem is a lack of will.

I don’t know how.

This is one of the feeblest excuses of all. I don’t know how to make a website. I don’t know how to write well. I don’t know how to get a better job. Are you capable of learning? Did you stop after learning to crawl(krôl), complaining, “I don’t know how to walk?” The truth behind “I don’t know how” is “I’m unwilling to learn.” In other words, you have to admit that you’re lazy.

I don’t have the money.

If there’s something you want, “I don’t have the money” is no excuse for not getting it. You can always earn the money or find a way to get the item at reduced cost. The truth behind “I don’t have the money” is “I don’t want it badly enough.” Earning the money you need is only a matter of time, and we already know that not having enough time is no valid(ˈvaləd) reason for giving up, nor is not knowing how to earn the money. If you want to buy something out of your price range, you’re fully capable of setting it as a top priority and then putting in the time to learn how to earn enough to acquire the item.

Don’t let excuses run your life. If you catch yourself using one of these lines, immediately(iˈmēdēətlē) replace it with a statement of the real truth. At first that truth may seem uncomfortable. It’s easier to say, “I don’t know how” than it is to say, “I’m unwilling to learn.” But when you admit your unwillingness, laziness, or lack of motivation(ˌmōtəˈvāSHən), then you’re finally facing the truth, and from that point you’ll have the opportunity to grow. For example, if you face your unwillingness to learn, you may decide that even though it would be a lot of work to learn a new skill, you could do it if you wanted it badly enough and really applied yourself.

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https://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/02/feeble-excuses/