Ever caught yourself wondering, “What the hell am I doing? I’m not cut out for this” or “I will do this once the kids are off to college. I’ll have more time then”?
Thing is these questions keep popping every now and then. They’re like the occasional street lights on a dark long road, providing brief periods of hope in the otherwise bleak road ahead.
Or maybe, just maybe, they are the ways you justify your inaction for achieving your deepest desires and goals. Those street lights are not guiding lights but distractions.
Sad part is you believe in them. Even though you know it’s anything but the truth.
They’re the self-imposed roadblocks. They’re what’s stopping you from taking that big step towards achieving your goal, from moving forward.
These are the 5 big lies you tell to convince yourself why you CAN’T do what you want to do.
Lie 1: “I’m Not Good Enough”
I’ve been lucky to have met some really talented people. Their proficiency in their craft is mind-blowing.
And yet when I ask them why they haven’t taken the next big step, the answer is always the same – “I don’t have what it takes.”
No one begins the journey as an expert. It’s about being passionate and committed to excelling that separates you from the chaff.
So why the doubt?
All those people you admire? They were once exactly where you are today. I’m sure if you look up their journey, you’ll find that they too had doubts, they too had one too many failures and disappointments. Steven Spielberg was rejected from film school three times. Imagine that?
So, flip the script and instead try saying, “I’m still learning and will be there soon.”
This thinking builds your confidence and belief in yourself.
And believe me, confidence comes from taking action, not waiting.
Lie 2: “I Have to Wait for the Perfect Moment”
How many times have you heard, “Once I have more time/money/experience, then I’ll start”?
Truth is that perfect moment rarely comes. Perfection is like a moving target, it shifts with your every step.
So by waiting, you’re losing the opportunity to do something in the present moment. End result? You remain stuck where you are, pining for that magical moment or experience.
All the content creators online, Tim Dennings to Dan Koe to Alex Maters to everyone else, say this same thing in their own style, that the first draft is anything but perfect.
That means first begin by taking action.
That perfect moment or thought or experience will come only after you’ve been through your share of trials and failures. You’ll become better from these experiences, you learn to improvise and become an expert eventually.
So start with that one step today.
Write down ONE thing you’ve been delaying and commit to doing it within the next 24 hours. No overthinking, just action. What’s it going to be?
Lie 3: “I Don’t Have Time”
Not this one again.
If it really mattered, I’m sure you will make time for it, won’t you?
It’s about utilising your time in the most efficient and productive manner.
Time is the most precious and finite resource that you have. Use it well.
Begin with an honest audit of your day. See how much time you’ve spent on which activities, especially the unproductive ones.
And if you’re truly honest, you’ll see the dumb scrolling through social media is taking away a large part of your time.
Set your goal (start with small goals to make it doable). Then allocate the time block for it.
There, you’re already moving the needle by prioritising your goal. And when you’re focused, you’ll definitely make time for it.
You will never have enough time, you will have to make time.
Lie 4: “I Can Do It All on My Own”
No one knows how to do everything. That’s a fact.
There’s always something you don’t know and that’s perfectly alright.
Don’t bluff yourself into believing that you can manage everything. That’s just prolonging the misery.
It shows your insecurity and lack of confidence in yourself. Keep them aside.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s the other way round. It shows you’re brave enough to accept your weakness and are ready to seek assistance.
When setting up my online store, I sought help from family and friends. and I needed plenty of it.
Finally, I’m where I’m today (still far from the final goal but headed that way for sure). I tell them that my progress and success is their progress report!
I’ve learnt that strength isn’t about doing it alone; it’s about knowing when to ask for help. You can’t succeed in isolation.
Lie 5: “It’s Too Late for Me”
Believe me, it’s never too late. No point complaining, “I should have started years ago… now it’s pointless.” That time is over and gone.
What you have is now.
There’s no deadline for personal growth. There’s a grandmother on YouTube teaching how to make delicacies the traditional way. There’s a retiree who has started a catering business from her kitchen. A 70+ years old has completed his graduation.
There’re more from the real-world. Like Ray Kroc who started McDonald’s at 52 or Colonel Sanders who founded KFC at 65.
If you truly want to do something, it’s never too late. Today is the perfect day to begin.
All it needs is a change in the perspective, your perspective. What’s stopping you from starting now?
Life is not a race. So set your pace and begin the journey.
Conclusion
These so-called ‘reasons’ are basically excuses for inaction; each one acting as another brick in the wall between you and your success. They act as a shield to protect you from admitting the bitter truth to yourself. In reality they’re trapping you behind them, stopping you from growing.
You just don’t want to do it, or don’t have the courage to take that one step which ensures your success.
These lies have held you back long enough. But imagine where you could be in a year if you start today.
You can either stay stuck in the same place, believing the same lies. Or you can take that first step today and change everything.
Tear down those barriers and accept the truths that –
- You are enough.
- The perfect time is now.
- You will make time for what matters.
- You grow with support.
- You’re never too late to start.
Now take that one lie you’ve told yourself and flip it. Act on it.
It’s your turn. What’s the first small step you’ll take today? Will you let these lies define you or will you rewrite your story today?
Doubt less. Do more. Begin now.
