6 Common Excuses Plus The Solutions To Fix Them

For most people, it is easier to come up with excuses of why they cannot do something versus finding ways that it can be done. Like most people, you probably have a slew of excuses that you automatically give when faced with a challenge that you think you cannot solve or handle. For us, excuses are something that we use to justify our circumstances and protect ourselves. What most people don’t realize, however, is that excuses only limit our chances of success. In this post, we’ll be looking at common justifications we make in life and some of the things that you can do to overcome them for a better shot at success.

For starters, you’ll get to see that the excuse “I am afraid” is based on doubts that have no real-world consequences and how you can overcome the mindset. Next, you’ll get to see how the “I do not know how” excuse restricts you from finding or thinking of ways to solve the problem at hand. We’ll then discuss tips on how to overcome the “I do not have enough money” mentality and talk about the solution to one of the most commonly given excuses, “I do not have enough time,” before wrapping up things with the excuses “It’s too hard for me” and “It’s too late for me.” Once you are done reading this article, it should become easier for you to catch yourself when or before you make any of these excuses and rectify your mindset.

        1. “I’m Afraid.”

Most of us are afraid to move beyond our comfort zone, step out of the box, or try something new. The interesting thing, though, is that a majority of our fears and doubts are socially-based and have no actual consequences. The solution is to take a moment and ask yourself one question, “What is the worst thing that could happen?”

Once you’ve thought of all the negative things that could happen, you will realize that your fear or doubt is a disguise to stifle your growth and kill your dreams. After you’re done with the negatives, list all of the positive things that could happen, and you will realize that what you accomplish is more important than the doubts and fears that limit you. Stop being fearful of what could go wrong and start focusing on what could go right.

        2. “I Don’t Know How.”

This is a very common excuse that makes you not even try. The best solution to this is to get support. There has not been a better time in humanity’s history that there have been so many resources and so much information at our disposal.

Are you thinking of starting a charity? There are so many books in libraries and online that are centered around the subject. Are you looking to lose 100 pounds? There are thousands of videos, blogs, and CDs to support you. If you want to switch careers, consult a mentor or coach or simply venture into the career line that you are thinking of and learn along the way.

        3. “I Don’t Have Enough Money.”

Even if you lack the financial resources you need to do something, there’s always a way to work around your lack of funds. The solution is to look for alternatives. For instance, if you are looking to improve your skill set but cannot afford tuition, you still have options that you can use to boost your credentials, like volunteering at a non-profit organization.

Intern for a small business on your days off or get certification in a specific skill. If you own a business, consider trading your products or services. There is always a way, even if it means working a bit harder, to get the solutions that will back up your growth. If it is vital, you will find a way; if it isn’t, you will find an excuse.

        4. “I Don’t Have Enough Time.”

If you’re fully committed to something, you will make time for it. Here’s the solution. List down everything you do daily, from when you wake up to the moment you go to sleep.

Record all of your activities in fifteen-minute blocks. Make sure that you include everything, from watching television or surfing the Internet to talking on the phone. After about a week, most people find that they have at least three free hours that they can use to dedicate to a new hobby, adventure, or activity.

         5. “It’s Too Hard.”

While some ventures are more difficult than others, saying that a task or a job is “too hard” is simply a way of acknowledging that you are afraid. People with limited talent and resources can still end up being successful in life. The solution is to focus on success.

People with stamina and motivation are the ones who often succeed in life. You can practice affirmations, read encouraging stories, or get someone you can be accountable to. Do whatever it takes to keep your energy and thoughts centered on success. The only way to eat an elephant is by taking one bite at a time.

        6. “It’s Too Late For Me.”

Nothing is limiting you from becoming what you’ve always wanted to become except you. Some people have gone back to law school in their 50s. There’s even a man (Yuichiro Miura) who climbed Mount Everest at the age of 80.

While a late start might prove to be challenging and less convenient, there is nothing wrong with fulfilling your passion or living your dream late in life. The solution is to find out what influences you, motivates you, and interests you. Create a plan on how you are going to solve important challenges and take things one step at a time until you complete your goals.

It is a lot easier to think of how something cannot be done as opposed to how it can be achieved. Most people have a slew of excuses that they use to justify their fears and doubts. While we use excuses as a way to protect ourselves or justify a circumstance, what most of us do not realize is that they do nothing but limit our chances of success. In this post, we’ve looked at some of the most common excuses that we make and the ways that we can overcome them for a better shot at success.

We started by looking at how the excuse “I am afraid” is normally based on doubts and fears that have no real or tangible consequences and how you can overcome this mindset. This was followed by a look at how the excuse “I do not know how” causes you to not think of or find ways to solve a problem and fix it. We also talked about tips on how to overcome the “I do not have enough money” mentality. We then discussed the solution to one of the most common excuses, “I do not have enough time,” and we wrapped up with some solutions to the “it’s too hard for me” and “it’s too late for me” excuses. Now that you’ve reached the end of this article, it should be easier for you to catch yourself whenever you make an excuse and apply the right mindset to fix it.