The definition of excuse is “attempt to lessen the blame attaching to (a fault or offense); seek to defend or justify.
For as long as I can remember I have used the phrase:
I think it’s served me well in my life. I believe in being results oriented. Ultimately driving toward the right goals, whatever they may be, is inherently good.
The excuses part of the phrase has me thinking. I don’t think the word “excuse” is examined enough when it’s thrown around in the world.
An excuse is simply an admission that whatever you said you were going to do wasn’t as important as whatever you chose to do. I think we really need to think about this more.
You see it a lot in relationships. One person ends up feeling neglected or let down because the other isn’t willing to sacrifice what they want to do (clearly oversimplified).
Another common example is people wanting to get healthier or in better shape. Instead of getting up early to exercise they choose to sleep in. Instead of bringing something healthy to the office for lunch they choose to get fast food.
I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong with any of this though. I think the problem comes from our unwillingness to evaluate why we make the choices we make, why we tolerate people that don’t make us happy, why certain things happen to us, and ultimately why we are where we are in life. It can be super hard. It requires self reflection and may result in hard decisions that need to be made.
I don’t care what choices people make if they aren’t harming others. There is no judgment here. Well, that’s not totally true. What is true is that we are all guilty of what I am about to write.
I begin to care when people don’t own the choices they make. When we don’t take ownership that we are where we are based on those choices. No one makes choices for us. I know, there are exceptions to every rule. I live with that under my roof. My FAS kids certainly fall in the exception category. That said, I don’t think the vast majority of people can claim an exception here.
Life isn’t fair. Life is not meant to be easy. You are not entitled to anything other than the basic necessities to survive. These statements seem to be lost on us. The idea that hard work is required to achieve your goals seems to be a foreign concept. At some point it was replaced with, because I am here I deserve it.
If you want something you have to go get it. You are the only one that can put in the effort that is necessary. If you want to be in an amazing relationship you need to be willing to give and to sacrifice. If you want to be healthier you need to modify your diet and exercise regularly. If you want more money you need to work harder, work more hours, take on more responsibility, and add more value. There is no free lunch.
Most of us are living in a time when things really haven’t ever been easier. The opportunities are endless and constantly evolving. I remain confident that hard work will always be the foundation to success.
To reiterate, we are all guilty of what I wrote above. The point of this post is not judgement, it is accountability. We need to own the fact we control our destiny. If sleep is your thing, then sleep. If work defines you, then work. If exercise makes you happy, then exercise. Do what you want to do, but know that you are in control of your place in life. U B U
Own your decisions. Own the results of those decisions. Own what you choose to prioritize. Own what you choose not to prioritize.
Be accountable to yourself. Be accountable to those that matter to you.
Stop complaining!
And please stop wasting precious time, it’s running out…..
#accountability #ivegot2more #7kids #endure #grind #everymomentcounts #perspective #noexcuses #noexcusesonlyresults #fitlife #fitness
You Got No Control 