“There are only two options: Make progress or make excuses.” Tony Robbins.

If you feel that you aren’t getting the results in life you’re capable of or if you feel you’re not fulfilling your potential, you have to be honest with yourself about what is getting in the way.

A key part of my personal coaching work is helping clients to get clarity on what they want. This isn’t always easy to achieve as people can easily tell you what they don’t want but can’t always articulate what they want.

A vital component of this process is identifying the potential obstacles to goal achievement. Once we’ve completed this exercise and also got clarity on their desires we can start to devise a clear focused plan with action steps and milestones to help achieve the goals.

There are a variety of obstacles that people talk about such as self-doubt, procrastination, overwhelm, fear, lack of money and time etc. Obstacles do present us with an opportunity to learn and grow. We discover new depths of resources and skills as we search for solutions to overcome them.

When you conquer obstacles, it builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment. As the author Jim Rohn said “If you really want to do something, you will find a way, if you don’t you will find an excuse.”

Excuses prevent people being the best they can be and fulfilling their potential. They also stop people attaining the high levels of happiness they’re capable of. Excuses are a symptom of something else, they aren’t the root cause of what stops people achieving their goals.

Some of the common excuses that I hear are:-

  • It will be difficult so I’m not going to try
  • It’s too much of a risk
  • I’m too old
  • I’m too busy already, I can’t take any more on
  • I don’t deserve this opportunity
  • I don’t have the money

Once clients get honest about what stops them we can get to figure out some strategies to address the excuses. We’re also able to get to the bottom of what is driving the excuses. Quite often this can be things like a fear of failure or the unknown or not having sufficient courage to take a risk and step out of their comfort zone.

Remember that the results you have today are because of your past focus. If you aren’t happy with your results commit to changing your approach.

With this in mind, here are some tips on ways to get into action and overcome excuses:

  • Get clear on what you want and what excuses may be stopping you getting the results you desire
  • Take full responsibility for how you feel and for letting go of excuses
  • Commit 100% to achieving the goal. If you can’t do this then let go of the goal
  • Ask for any help that you may need
  • Believe that the goal will be achieved
  • Take consistent action steps until the goal is attained.

This week, why not take a few moments out to reflect and consider if you are coming up with excuses that stop you achieving some of your goals or being the best you can be. If this is the case, what steps will you take to banish these excuses for good?

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk