Stop the Excuses

We all do it -- or, at least we have all done it: we've made (or make) excuses -- for nearly everything and everyone -- nearly all the time.

Do you like it when someone provides you an excuse rather than performance? Probably not. Nobody does. Yet so many of us offer them when we're late for an interview; we're late for a meeting; we're late for a date; when we didn't pass the test; someone we know didn't perform as expected; when you think you're too old; when you thought you were good enough (but were not); unexpected traffic delays; questions that weren't in the study guide; I didn't get enough sleep; I'm too tired; I don't have enough time; it's the dog's fault; there's too many of them; or aliens abducted you; the Democrats/Republicans did it; mom didn't hug you enough; the school of your fancy did not admit you; your dream date dumped you; dad yelled at you; you can't keep up with the Jones...whatever the occasion, we all do it or we've all done.

Don't get me wrong because sometimes things do happen outside of our control. No matter how much we plan and prepare, sometimes things just go wrong. In those instances, we should adapt, improvise, and over-come -- regardless of the pain or the costs. After all, just how badly do you want it? Don't worry about the answer, that will become obvious based upon your performance based results.

Hey, if it's not worth it to you, fine. There is no shame in being honest with yourself and others by stating, honestly, without excuses, hey, this is just not for me. Or, hey, I just can't do it so I'm out. Or, I'm satisfied with where I'm at. You don't even have to provide an excuse. If/when you realize you're in over your head, either raise your hand and ask for help then eagerly accel [erate] to excel or gracefully bow out and move on. But, if you're going to do it then do it! Now, not tomorrow. Not after whatever amount of time lapses after you've finished procrastinating. Do it now or don't.

A wise man said: "Excuses satisfy those who make them." Perhaps you would prefer the way the Jedi Master Yoda put it: "Try? Try not. Do, or do not."

...whatever/wherever it is that you're at, if it is not what you are striving for, if it did not work, then perhaps you need to quit making excuses and do it or take a long, hard and honest look in the proverbial mirror.

Wouldn't it be easier to lay down a suppressing fire of excuses as opposed to accepting and acknowledging then fixing?

Perhaps the most difficult thing any of us can do is to be honest with ourselves. Whatever it is, either do it or do not. But quit making excuses, and quit blaming others for your short-comings because nobody likes them and it is not serving you well.

As Lee Iacocca once said: lead, follow, or get out of the way.