Most of us have no problem coming up with perfectly valid reasons for not taking action. Our excuses may temporarily make us feel better, yet they do not bring any value to life.
Excuses do not pay the bills, they do not solve problems, they just allow us to justify not taking action.
We will look at a long list of excuses, of reasons not to take action, and turn them on their head. For every excuse, a compelling answer is offered to counteract it. The result is a list of powerful reasons for taking action now.
1. What would other people think?
Are you afraid of looking foolish for some reason? Why? You know what you need to do, and you’re committed to doing it. Don’t worry about looking foolish. What will really make you look foolish is if you just sit around making excuses. An honest effort is nothing to be ashamed of. What other people think is their problem, not yours. Let them think what they will. It doesn’t matter. Do what needs to be done. Get on with it.
2. It’s uncomfortable
Sure it is uncomfortable to take action. But what is so great about comfort? Are you committed to comfort or to accomplishment? A cow grazing in a pasture is comfortable. You are capable of much more. You have possibilities to be explored, and to explore them you’ll need to get your hands dirty. But a little discomfort right now is much less painful than the regret you’ll eventually feel if you don’t ever take action. Discomfort can eventually be overcome, but regret will never go away. Get up out of your comfort zone and start making a difference.
3. I’ll never be as good as ____
The only person you should compare yourself against is yourself. Your obligation is to do your very best. Don’t worry about how that compares to someone else. Just do it. Everyone is unique. Everyone has their own special contribution to make. You’ll only discover yours by taking action. If you decide in advance that you’ll never be as good as so-and-so, then you forgo the opportunity to find your own unique skills. Winners refuse to even acknowledge the competition, by blazing new trails. Comparing yourself to others will only bring you down. Set off in your own unique direction. Get into action make it happen.
4. It’s too complicated
Often a new task can appear complicated because you’re not familiar with it. Once you dive in, once you get a little experience, you’ll get the hang of it. Think of all the things you’ve learned in your life. You’re good at learning, and the best way to learn is to start taking action. Whatever you see as too complicated, there’s something about it that you can understand. Use that as your starting point. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s how you learn. There’s no reason to be ashamed about not knowing something. Everyone had to learn it at some point in time. Now is your time to learn. Dive right in, take on the challenge, take action, learn, grow and you’ll accomplish things you never thought possible.
5. It will take too long
Then you better get started as soon as possible. It will take even longer if you sit around bemoaning the fact that it will take too long. Great accomplishments take time and effort. And the most fulfilling part of any accomplishment is not in finishing it, but in doing it. The journey is the reward, so be thankful that you’ll be rewarded over a long period of time. If the end result suddenly appeared out of thin air, with no effort on your part, of what value would it be? If it will take a long time, then it will be valuable and worthwhile. So by all means get started as soon as possible. Start making it happen and enjoy the long, fulfilling journey.
Check back soon for Excuse Buster #6
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