Where the heart is willing, it will find a thousand ways. Where it is unwilling, it will find a thousand excuses. – Arlen Price
2011 is officially over. Happy 2012. I really think know it’s going to be an amazing year.
Not because I can see into the future and not because I am overly optimistic about things always working out. Trust me, like some of you, my 2011 was filled with its ups, downs, curve balls, victories, and a healthy handful of challenges.
But, that’s the way life goes … right?
You experience it all; the “good”, the not so “good”, the exciting and sometimes even the things that can knock you off your feet for awhile.
However, if you can step back and take a look at the bigger picture you can see how every experience has in one way or another shaped you, strengthened you, and even set you up to take advantage of the future in a new and improved way.
It really is all about right now and it couldn’t have come at a better time. That’s why I know 2012 is going to be amazing for us.
How do I know this applies to you?
Because you have read this far and there is a reason you are reading this. There always is. Trust me, there are a lot of other people that aren’t reading this article.
But, you are and this is so our year to make things happen.
To take advantage of everything we have learned in the past years, to pour our passion and energy into the moment that is right in front of us, to continually take step after step, day after day, in the direction we want to go, and to see the payoff we have been waiting for.
I know this is the time of year where a lot of us make our New Year’s resolutions.
I am all for the new year’s resolutions, but I also think what will really help us keep things moving in the right direction is to commit to not making any excuses in 2012.
Not even one.
No more excuses for not doing what we know we can and should be doing. No more excuses that only hold us back and allow us to justify things to ourselves that shouldn’t be justified, but rather corrected.
We have so much we want to accomplish. We know how we want to feel about our life and all the things in it. We know what will make us feel accomplished, productive and extraordinary.
This is the year to really make some great things happen.
After all, we are given a new set of 24 hours every single day. There is so much possibility in Today and every Today that follows. All we have to do is put it to the best use and recognize everything we are really capable of.
So, let’s commit to not tripping ourselves up. Excuses are signs we are getting in our own way and we want no part of them. Anytime we feel an excuse coming on, we will:
(1) Immediately recognize what we are doing
(2) Correct our thinking & make sure we don’t buy into the limiting belief that is holding us back; and
(3) (Most importantly), make sure we are taking advantage of the Possibility of Today and doing all we really are capable of every single day.
Here’s a list of 59 excuses to be on the lookout for. Beware of any and all of them.
59 excuses not to make in 2012:
- I just can’t do it
- I don’t have enough time
- It’s too late
- It’s impossible
- It’s just not realistic
- I tried already and it didn’t work
- I’m afraid of failing
- It’s just not the right time
- It’s going to be so difficult
- I don’t have the willpower
- There is a reason why things aren’t falling into place
- I don’t want to try, get my hopes up and end up being disappointed
- Things rarely go my way
- I’m not as good as the other people that are already doing it
- My friends don’t think it will work
- Every time I try, it never works out
- I am not motivated enough
- I will be so embarrassed if it doesn’t work out
- Things like that never happen to people like me
- I doubt that would work
- I’ve got responsibilities and bills to pay
- I don’t want anyone to see me fail
- I am just not disciplined enough
- It’s too risky
- It will take so long
- I don’t deserve it
- That’s just not how I am wired
- I can’t afford it
- Nothing ever goes my way
- I don’t have the energy
- I’m too old
- I’m too young
- That’s just not the way things work
- It’s too big
- I’m too scared
- I’m too tired
- I am not smart enough
- It’s too hard to change
- I can’t take that chance
- I have too much to lose
- I am too afraid of what could happen
- No one believes I can do it
- I can’t figure it out
- I never have been good at completing things
- I am not disciplined enough
- Life isn’t fair
- I am cursed
- I already did everything I could
- It’s just too much
- I am stressed out
- I can’t go any further
- It’s never going to happen
- No one will ever give me a chance
- I can’t focus
- I am too lazy
- I just can’t do it anymore
- I don’t have anyone that will support or help me
- I am afraid it will not work
- It’s just not possible
Live Today Better than Yesterday
What did you think of this post? Do you have anything to add to the list? We are all in this together so please share your thoughts and wisdom with us in the comment section. Also, if you liked it, please click “Like” and share it. If you have any questions or think there is anything I can help you with, please feel free to send me an e-mail (sibylchavis@gmail.com) or leave a comment below. I always love hearing from you.
It’s too complicated.
That’s definitely a good addition:)
Love it! This is very timely and ideal. Although we try to live a positive life, if we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that we saw a few lines that we use or think. I am going to print this and post it as a reminder. These lines will now be considered “obscene languages” for me. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Daphne: So glad you liked the post and that you are going to commit to no more excuses in 2012. Thanks for the kind words about the post. So glad you enjoyed it.
It might take some time, but it is so worth it, to explore every one of these perceived limitations (a.k.a. excuses) that we are using not to pursue the thing we want to do, or at least minimally try to do it. Go through each one, bravely face the monster and tell it why that excuse is just NOT going to stop us today. Funny how those monsters back down. Just like vampires they can’t stand to be brought out into the light!
So very true Karen. You are so right that if you face them and bring them to the light, they just melt away. I think that is a really important point so thanks for adding it here. Thank you also for dropping by.
I *love* this Sibyl..thank you:)
Here is to a magnificent 2012!
So glad you loved it Joy:) Thanks for dropping by and Let’s really have a magnificent 2012.
This is getting printed out, and put by both my laptops so I’m reminded of this every day. In fact, I’m going to memorize the list.
Thank you, Sibyl, for this last year. I’ve been reading your posts since October and my life has changed tremendously. I know I made the changes, but I’ve sure had a lot of help along the way. Thank you.
I would add “I’m not good enough”, “I’m not capable”, “I’m afraid of what other people will think”.
I love this list and I love seeing your posts everyday! Thank you for helping me to be more positive and conscious of my choices!
You are very welcome Gloria. I think those are all great additions. I am so glad that you liked the list and find the posts helpful. Thanks for dropping by and thanks for the comment.
sure… No excuses… No worries…… No thoughts of failing…..
Live 2012 better than 2011…….
That’s what it is all about:) Let’s do it together. Thanks for the comment.
it’s 59 negative message .. no excuses this year
That’s 100% right:) Thanks for the comment.
“I”
Hi Sibyl,
Perhaps you may remember the comment I left in 2011 regards the Coach Krzyzewski motivation speech I listened to while backstage during a General Session?
Going over your ’59′ the “I” word stands out…right?
Coach K likes to tell his players that…”I believe in you” and “I am proud of you”.
How about if we all try telling this to *ourself* so that we may give our ‘eyes’ better vision?
Here’s a Coach K quote for 2012:
“Too many rules get in the way of leadership. They just put you in a box . . . . People set rules to keep from making decisions.”
“I am” *proud* to say that “I” *believe* in you dear this 2012!
Hey Rand: I think that is a great speech and it really does have some timeless wisdom. Thanks for mentioning it and bringing it top of mind. Thanks for the kind words and the comment. Here’s to a great 2012.
Too Good!!! I am also going to print it.
Yeah:) So glad you liked it Sumant.
Now that we know the excuses what are the steps to not saying it and doing it differently? I would like to see activities next to the excuses. I have used every single one.
Really great point Terri … I need to get to work on that:) I promise I will do them all at some point in 2012.
Excuse #60 which I constantly heard as I tried to recruit young people for a $60,000 job for which one had to be drug free: I’ma keep it real wit cha dogg… I still like to smoke…