Managing Excuses

BLOG
Managing Excuses Managing Excuses
DATE On September 30, 2015

Excuses, excuses, excuses…

Excuse: attempt to lessen the blame attaching to (a fault or offense); seek to defend or justify. Or as I like to think the definition of an excuse is the polite way of saying, “I really don’t want to do this.”

When was the last time you used an excuse? Let’s be honest, it was most likely within the last 24 hours. I’m not afraid to admit, I make excuses ALL the time. Most of the excuses I make is when it comes to exercising and cleaning. “Oh I’ll just do it later or tomorrow.” But often, that time never comes. What we need to realize is that our little excuses are stopping from us becoming successful. Once you put it in that perspective, it will change your mind set a little.

“I don’t have the time to go back to school.” You have just as many hours in the day as Beyoncé, Oprah, and Bill Gates. I know, hard to believe these celebrities are just like us. But what separates them from you and I? They had a dream and chased it. What are your priorities? You need to evaluate what you are spending most of your time on. Try and keep track of how long you have been on social media or watching TV. Trust me, if you saw my list it would be embarrassing. Now think about it, you spent “blank” hours doing that, when you could have been going after your dream.

What are you waiting for?

If you truly want something, you will make it work. If you don’t, then maybe you just don’t want it badly enough. One of my favorite quotes is from Karen Lamb, “A year from now you would of wish you started today.” So cheesy, but so extremely true! You could be walking across the stage at graduation; pursuing your dream, but instead you are still making excuses for why you can’t achieve it.

“I don’t have enough money.” Has anyone seen the show Shark Tank? Not only is it a fantastic television show, it’s inspiring. The people on the show are going after their dream and trying to persuade others on why they should buy into their good or service. These people put everything they had into their product. Why? Because they are driven. They are willing to do whatever it takes to become successful and failure is not an option. They were able to get out of the excuses mindset. Whether it’s going back to school or starting your own business, people are finding ways to do it even without the budget. Start looking at your expenses. See what you can cut out and start saving. Do you really need that Starbuck’s coffee? Maybe you can’t go after your dreams right away, but start preparing for it! If you want to go back to school, start putting money away every day, even if it’s just a little. Look into your options. See what types of scholarships or other resources you can use. Successful people do not let anything get in their way of achieving what they want, they make it happen.

If you’re saying to yourself, “the timing isn’t right,” you’ll be waiting forever. There is never the right time for anything. You just have to make the time to do it, or it will never happen. Here is another cheesy quote for you, “I rather have a life of ‘oh wells’ than ‘what ifs’.” This again is SO true! Do you really want to look back on your life and think, “Man, I wish I would have done that.” Even if something doesn’t work out, at least you tried!

I have many friends who are scared to apply for their dream job, because they are afraid of rejection. A year ago, I applied for a dream job in New York City, and guess what? I didn’t get it. And that’s okay! Who cares if someone says no? I am glad I at least tried, because if I didn’t I would always wonder what could of happened. You are always going to run into rejection. Don’t let that stop you from trying to do what you love. In life you will always be giving obstacles and challenges, it’s your ability to overcome them which makes you successful.

– Jordan Tomase

#college #rockfordcareercollege #rccrocks