52 Tiny Changes
You've done it before. Tried to change your whole life in 30
days. Only to fizzle out at day 10 because it take too much time.
Join me in making a small change each week and by the end of the
year you will have made 52 improvements to your life!
52changes@encouragingcoach.com
with 52 changes in the subject line. Or come here each week for
a new change and some steps to help you along the way.
Tiny Change # 41: Quit lying and
making excuses to yourself
Boy, that one's a little blunt, isn't it? But, it's time to
admit that the reason we aren't as successful as we would like
is not because of the economy, your spouse, your boss, traffic
jams, etc. We are our own worst enemy.
If we are really honest with ourselves we will know that we could
be more successful if we...make more phone calls... networked
with more people... kept a lid on our temper...put down the donut...did
the research.
Instead what do we normally do? We make excuses.
- I had a cold, headache, was tired
- It was the wrong time of day
- My spouse, boss, friend doesn't support me
- I didn't have enough time
- He made me get angry
- I couldn't help it
The main problem with the excuses is that it is hard to change when
we blame things outside of our control. We can't control whether
or not someone supports us, but we can control how we support ourselves.
And we can find a group or friend that will support us.
Most of our time excuses are due to lack of planning, prioritizing
and weeding out of unneeded activities. If you have time to watch
the Apprentice you have time to exercise. Hey you can even exercise
while watching TV.
Health concerns are a difficult one. I know quite a few people
with chronic health difficulties. Yet, most of them are as creative
and productive as they can be. They know their limits, but they
pursue their goals any way. And many health problems can be improved
by taking the right steps.
But, we can break free from the bad habit of making excuses.
1. Concentrate only on what you can change or control. You can
improve any situation, even if it is just your attitude.
2. When you feel yourself about to make an excuse, ask yourself
what the real truth of the situation is.
3. Focus on what you want, not what you think is in your way.
4. Find support to work through fear, doubt and lethargy.
5. Take the first step.
Resources
Excuses,
Excuses or Success
Exercising
with Arthritis Success Stories
What are your main excuses for not doing what
you want to do? What if you told yourself the truth and took steps
to take action?
52
Tiny Changes Archive
