“How can you do it day after day? I’m so bushed by the end of the day that I don’t feel like getting up early in the morning.”
That’s what I get to hear from a neighbour I haven’t met for some time now.
The ‘it’ refers to my exercise routine. I still haven’t understood why is it so difficult to do anything consistently if you so want to do it. It’s all about showing up.
Why do we make excuses even if we know it’s good for us?
Then I read something by James Clear where he said that it’s all about practice. How true!
You get better at whatever you want only with practice, doing it over and over again.
Whether it be dragging yourself to the gym or writing daily to improve your skills or practicing mindfulness.
So why make excuses for not doing something? Excuses, whether about exercising or anything else, reveal more about you than you might think.
Excuses are more than just words. They reflect your mindset, a deeper pattern of self-perception.
What Excuses Reveal About Us
They bring to the fore the underlying insecurities. Maybe they fear failure or rejection. Or maybe the fear of being judged by others.
It’s a way of trying to protect yourself, your self-esteem, by avoiding any kind of risk or change.
Think about the last time you skipped a workout. Was it really about being too tired or was it a fear of not preforming well?
Or could it be the mindset? Not everyone has a growth mindset. Your fixed mindset is comfortable in its place, satisfied with the limited abilities, and doesn’t want to embrace any new challenge.
Whereas developing a growth mindset infuses your mind with restlessness and repels stagnation. It seeks opportunities to learn and grow. It doesn’t encourage excuses.
Your excuses become your way of justifying your inaction.
Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset theory says that a growth mindset means believing you can improve through effort. Let’s say you struggle with public speaking, your growth mindset will encourage you to view each speech as practice, not test.
How Do You Get Over This Big Mindset Obstacle?
Step 1: Create awareness within yourself. Be conscious of the number of times you’ve made an excuse to not do something.
What were the triggers that got you to make excuses?
Track your excuses to uncover patterns. It will become easier for you to understand the reasons behind the deluge of excuses you use to hide behind.
Your self-awareness will help you to recognise patterns in your thoughts and actions. This will lead to you making better decisions.
Step 2: Figure out the root cause. Identify the fears that are the driving force.
Once you identify them by being honest with yourself, you can address them clearly by replacing the negative thoughts with affirmations, or by asking help from your family and friends.
Don’t beat yourself up for failures or giving up too early. Go easy and keep working on yourself consistently.
Step 3: Take small steps towards bringing in the change. Do not rush into making too many changes at once. You’ll get overwhelmed.
Break the tasks into manageable steps. Deal with one excuse, and its reason, at a time. This will reduce your anxiety and stress.
Begin with one commitment today. If you’re avoiding exercise, go for a 5- minute walk to break the cycle.
Benefits of Shedding Excuse-Making Habits
Do you want to count the advantages of getting out of the excuse-making habit?
- Improves self-awareness
- Builds emotional resilience.
- Increases confidence as you step outside your comfort zone.
- Develops a stronger sense of accountability and
- You accept ownership of the actions and their outcomes.
- A gradual shift toward a growth mindset
- Become proactive at problem-solving
- Focus shifts to possibilities rather than limitations.
- Adopt a change in perception and thought process
- Become open to seeking support from friends or mentors
I’m sure there are a few more that you can add from your experiences.
Final Thoughts
Excuses become your weapons only when you’re not ready to take action. You’re looking for a way out without admitting your fears.
Your excuses show you in a poor light even though you may feel like you were smart to get out of it.
Don’t let your self-doubts restrict your flight. Be honest with yourself and deal with the excuses that have restricted your growth.
Stop hiding behind excuses. Welcome the freedom to grow and thrive. Growth begins with that one brave step you’ll take today.
