No more excuses
"Never make excuses. Your friends don't need them and your foes won't believe them."
– John Wooden
Big plans for big improvements: That was my expectation on the dawn of 2020.
Goals were set to improve finances, grow spiritually, respond relationally with love and to take my health more seriously.
By the end of the very first day of 2020, I had already reacted with anger, spent money foolishly, eaten poorly, not worked out, enjoyed a glass of wine more than I actually needed and invested very little time praying, reflecting, meditating and giving thanks.
In other words, by the end of the very first day I had failed at every single personal goal I had set. So much for New Year's resolutions!
As I went to bed that evening, I was comforted knowing that I'm on the final days of a family vacation. I'm just out of my normal schedule. A little tired. A little cranky. I'll get back on track soon Maybe tomorrow Or when I'm home. Or when life slows down. Or…
When we get too good at making excuses, we're unable to own the power within our lives. We miss the opportunities of the day. [Click to tweet.]
And I was at high risk of missing out on owning the power of my life because of excuses.
Are there areas of your life where you keep making excuses? Perhaps you're like me and it's a failed New Year's resolution.
Other areas we frequently make excuses include:
- Rationalizing the way you allow others to treat you
- Rationalizing the way you mistreat others
- Harboring a negative, self-defeating attitude about yourself
- Allowing a hurt from yesterday to derail the promise of tomorrow
My friends, we don't need to make excuses. After all, our friends don't need them and our foes won't believe them.
So let's agree to stop making excuses for why things are the way they are. And let's start striving to make them better.
The New Year began last week. But the rest of your life starts now. [Click to tweet.]
This is your day. Live Inspired.
P.S. Still looking to set 2020 goals? Listen to last week’s Live Inspired Podcast episode, in which I offer 4 keys to making 2020 your best year yet. Listen to episode 215 here.
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