Bookmark Website  | Free Registration  | The Team
The Lounge  | Champions  | The Wire |  Schedule |  Audio  |  Arcade  |  The Top Ten  |  Historical  |  Email  |  Video

Making Excuses


I edited and re-edited my article. I had to make sure it was just so. Then I procrastinated on writing the query letter to get my article published. The house needed cleaning, I ran out of stamps, the letter wasn't quite right. Delivering the query letter to the mailbox took another week what with family, meetings and such. I had good excuses why I wasn't actively trying to get published. But, the real reason was that I was afraid I wasn't going to be good enough.

So many times our excuses are just a cover-up for being afraid. Unfortunately since the fear is being covered up we have no way against it. We just go merrily along making more excuses and wondering why our life is still the same.

We need to bring our fears out into the open. Next time you feel yourself start making an excuse, stop. Look behind that excuse and see if a fear is lurking nearby. Say it like it is. Be honest with yourself with the real reason you are making excuses. Look the fear in the face. Only then can you fight it.

-Examine your fear. Is it rational? Is it true that everyone will laugh at you if you try yoga? Most people will be too busy worrying about embarrassing themselves at yoga class.

-If it is rational, what practical steps can you do to minimize your risk? If you start your own business you may fail and lose money. Is there any way to save up money or stay at your job a little while longer before launching a new business?

-Now go for it! Tell yourself you are scared, but you can do it anyway. Take itty bitty steps if you need to, but keep moving forward. Find someone to be accountable to. Tell them what you are going to do and then check in with them once you accomplish the task. Don't let yourself make excuses.

TAKE ACTION

Start looking at where you are making excuses frequently. Do you always make excuses why you can't exercise or why you will do this project later?

1. I frequently make excuses about:

2. What I am really afraid of is:

3. Is this fear rational?

4. If this is rational, what steps can I take to minimize risk?

5. The next three little actions to take will be:

Now take that first action and say goodbye to your excuses!

About The Author

© Beth Dargis 2004

Beth Dargis works with overwhelmed women to create saner, simpler lives. Are you in need of a break? Take the self-care quiz: http://www.encouragingcoach.com/projects-selfcare-quiz.htm

bethd@encouragingcoach.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Los Angeles Times

Facing Raiders on national TV will serve as motivation Thursday
San Diego Union Tribune, CA - 1 hour ago
And while they technically do, they also are searching for other reasons to be up for Thursday night's game against Oakland (and the three that follow it), ...
CHARGERS NOTES: LT calls on teammates to finish strong North County Times
Matchups: Falcons at Chargers SportingNews.com
Five things to watch: Falcons-Chargers San Diego Union Tribune
all 639 news articles


Dawgs digging deep to find last-game motivation
Seattle Post Intelligencer - Dec 1, 2008
Finding motivation figures to be a challenge for a squad coming off a 16-13 double-overtime loss in its rivalry game. Willingham insisted he won't use his ...
UW to get close look at Jeff Tedford Seattle Times
all 17 news articles


Thousands descend on Austin Convention Center for motivation seminar
KVUE, TX - 11 hours ago
By QUITA CULPEPPER Organizers say it's a way to get inspired and find the secret to your success, while hearing from a dream team of successful politicians ...


4TheGame

Barry reveals England motivation
SkySports - 17 hours ago
By Chris Burton Last updated: 2nd December 2008 Gareth Barry admits that four years in the international wilderness made him all the more determined to earn ...
BARRY: WILDERNESS IS MOTIVATION Sportinglife.com
all 652 news articles


Sify

OPEC Cuts: A Barrel Of Laughs
Forbes, NY - Dec 1, 2008
"The major motivation for sellers is the discounting of the OPEC decision," said Mike Fitzpatrick, vice president of MF Global, in a report, "but motivation ...
Oil prices dive after OPEC holds output unchanged AFP
all 2,632 news articles


News 8 Austin

Thousands of locals look to 'Get Motivated'
News 8 Austin, TX - 1 hour ago
Finding the motivation to excel in times like these can be tough, but Central Texan Lucia Cordoba, along with more than 20000 people, hoped to find ...
Overflow crowds come to Downtown Austin to get motivated CBS 42
Get Motivated keeps price low in tough economy Austin American-Statesman
Get Motivated seminar, not your ordinary pep talk News 8 Austin
News 8 Austin - CBS 42
all 8 news articles


5ones

If Ever There Was Motivation Not to Finish College…
5ones, CA - 7 hours ago
Albi Sole, program co-ordinator for Public Avalanche Awareness Programs at the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre, has just put the finishing touches on ...


Examiner.com

Movement Fuels Motivation
Examiner.com - 15 hours ago
by KT Erwin, Tampa Bay Weight Loss Examiner Motivation and movement are the dynamic duo of weight loss and healthy living. Getting back to the Times Turkey ...


Aerosmith’s Dream On is Raghu Dixit’s mantra for motivation
Indian Express, India - 17 hours ago
For me, a classic is something like Aerosmith’s Dream On. It’s been over 15 years since I first heard the track when my friends got me to listen to it. ...


Chiefs provide Raiders true motivation to run
Sacramento Bee,  USA - Nov 30, 2008
"It gives us a little extra motivation to play for because when you have hard times, it's tough to find that extra motivation. We're playing at home against ...

Motivation - Google News


Advertisement



Section Site Map - Submit News - Feedback - Comments - Advertise with Us

Copyright © 2006 Luminati Inc. All rights reserved.