What is your excuse?

There is no definition of your life other than the definition you give your life.

-Devlyn Steele         

For most of us, there are things in our life we would like to do, improve, or change; and a parallel set of excuses why we are not achieving them.

So the first question is what do you want to do, improve or change?  Interestingly enough I found out recently that many people get defensive when asked that question.  In truth, we all have things we want to see in our life.  For me as I work so hard at trying to change the world, I forget balance at times. If it is not a concrete thing like weight, or career, or finance, or relationship, maybe it is increasing travel, joy, and laughter.  Maybe it is seeing your family and friends more. 

It does not mater who you are and what level of success you have achieved in your life, we want improvements in same manner or another.  That simply is human nature, the drive of life to accomplish and improve.  So, what is it for you?

Interestingly enough, even though we all want improvement we often are not doing what we can to accomplish those changes.  There are many factors to the why behind that.  One of the factors is the excuses we make. 

Excuses come in all shapes and sizes; however at the end of the day no matter you call

 It - a reason, a fact in your mind, an explanation, a set of circumstances, the way it is, or a million different ways I have heard it phrased, it is all the same: these are excuses.

I don’t have time.

I have a lot of responsibilities.

Once I get through this heavy schedule, I’ll get to it.

It cost too much.

It’s not possible with managing a family, a job and all right now.

I can’t do it.

I don’t like doing it.

I have other priorities.

I can’t meet anyone.

The list is endless.  The bottom line is you do have the time, you can do it and there is nothing getting in your way other than you. You are the only obstacle between you and the life improvements you want in your life. 

The question I have is simple:  how important are the changes you want?   Human character is amazing; when something really becomes important we do what it takes to accomplish it.  We no longer see obstacles and we no longer find excuses, we simply go into action.

Therefore, the next question:  what will it take to motivate you to make the changes you want important enough to get into action and give up your excuses?  I’ll give you a very simple example of what I mean by motivation.  When people give me their list of excuses, I always ask, “If I offered you a million dollars could you do it?” 

The answer is, “YES!”

So when the motivation, the time and other excuses go away, you would make it happen. 

Now motivation comes in many different forms other than money.  What I would like to know, when it comes to improving your health, your career, your relationships, your finances, your joy, laughter and overall happiness in life, what is it going to take to motivate you?   What will it take for you to realize that the only thing holding your life back is you?

This week, list at one thing, one thing you want to do, improve or change in your life.  There has to be one. List it and then ask yourself what is your excuse you use to prevent that from happening in your life?  Then decide to get motivated; decide that nothing can hold you back.  Pretend you will get one million dollars if you accomplish it, and get into action.