Excuse Addict
"I'm sorry I didn't get that to you, this week has been, like, INSSSANNNEEE!"
"I really meant to get that thing 'amabob shipped out to you but then this other thing happened and well, you know how it goes."
"Ugh! I forgot again!!! I'm SOOOO sorry! It's just been cray-cray over here!"
"I know! I know! I was supposed to do that thing...I'll get to it tomorrow!"
"Well, I totally would have, if only they hadn't....."
"I should finish writing that blog post, I really should. But just as I got going the UPS guy dropped off my new rice cooker and so I had to open it and try it out, right?" (ok..so maybe that one has never been an excuse for you, but it did literally just stop me in my writing tracks and have the potential to stall this post with excuses even further!) What is your latest excuse? "The dog ate my homework" didn't work when we were kids, it never flies in the movies and it won't help you now. However, I am more and more convinced that we have become (and are raising) "excuse addicts." ex·cuse ad·dict
/ikˈskyo͞os/ /ˈadikt/
1. a person who is addicted to a particular substance, in Latin referred to as lamo excuso, otherwise described as a reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense, or in most languages simple referred to as "But I." How to know if you are an excuse addict: 1. You will commonly utter phrases that begin with; "But I..." "Yeah, but still.." "Really?" "Already?!" and "If only..." 2. You will make commitments to others and yourself and -not complete them -not complete them on time -sometimes never even get started 3. Long term results of an excuse addict might include, but are not limited to: -Hesitation to make any promises to anyone -Regret and embarrassment for past obligations not met -Fear of trying new things or setting goals lest you let others (and yourself) down (again!)
What I find even more alarming is that because so many of us have become excuse addicts, we are at risk of developing an insensitivity to even the idea of keeping commitments and often laugh off our excuses with what we hope are relatable jokes, sarcasm and the ever popular "hey...you get me, right?"
"Show your true colors, and if you need to, get a new box of crayons."
We should all be authentic to who we are, but if who we are is irresponsible, not trustworthy, unreliable and letting ourselves and others down, it's time for a new box of crayons! A key element to unwrapping success in your business and even in your daily life is being a person of your word. Someone who can be held accountable and doesn't blame or make excuses when things go awry. The truth is, you don't sell a product or a service, you sell a benefit or a result and people aren't buying from the company you are with they are buying from you!
Set appropriate expectations for yourself, based on your schedule, responsibilities and season in life. Communicate clear and realistic time frames to meet obligations and commitments and promptly write them down or set an alarm on your phone to ensure you don't forget before you even get started.
Follow these 7 Success Rules from Napoleon Hills book "Truthful Living" to assist you in keeping your word: 1. Cultivate Self Confidence.
You DO have what it takes to keep your word. 2. Cultivate enthusiasm. Refuse to complain, even in your own mind. Speak positively to yourself and about the task at hand, as well as your confidence that you will meet the goal!
3. Be honest. Seriously. Why lie. Just be honest. Either you want to do it, or you don't. Either you have time, are willing to make time, or you don't. No one likes to be friends with or work with a person who lies. Excuses are a close cousin to lies. Just don't.
4. Practice Self-Denial. No, silly! Of course I'm not suggesting you give up your chocolate! i see no correlation to that and getting what you said you would do done. As a matter of fact, why not reward yourself with a chocolate (or other) treat when you meet a deadline you have been putting off! Prove you can do this thing and then celebrate! What I am suggesting is that you need to not cave to every time sucking, selfish, and often pointless activity that draws your attention away from the task at hand. You made a commitment. Let your word and integrity and commitment to yourself or another prove to be more important than meaningless distractions.
5. Use your will power. Climbing to the top isn't easy. It's climbing...not floating. Make yourself do what you need to do. YOU are the one with the goals after all. Don't let excuses rob you of your own satisfaction for a job well done.
6. Don't be selfish. This one sound similar to #4, Practice Self Denial. But here's the difference. Practicing selflessness doesn't mean denying yourself of something to meet a goal, but rather focusing on the needs of meeting another's desire rather than just your own. A higher calling if you will. 7. Concentrate. He had to throw that one in, didn't he!?! lol
I should have listed "Squirrel!" as one of the common phrases heard coming from
excuse addicts.
We blame others, we blame ourselves and we blame shiny objects!
You may have or maybe one day will, get at lucky break here and there, but luck is never in the recipe for success. We can't count on it or wait for it. In contrast, we need to concentrate on our work, and all that we have committed to do. If all else fails, and an obligation is not met, we ought to be people who own up to our mistakes, apologize and find a resolution-not another excuse.
Here's to- commitments met - not complaints! promises kept - not procrastinated! exceptionalism - not excuses!
This week might be INSSSANNNEEE! But we're in excuse addict recovery together and... You've got this! -Shannon
