Everyone makes excuses for the things that happen. At times they are legitimate reasons but in the end they are just excuses. You need to take accountability for something happening, going wrong or not working out quite how you planned. If you’re struggling to stop making excuses, here are some tips to help you.
Remember That They Are Excuses
Your excuses will never change what’s happened and people don’t really want to hear them. If you’re late for something, they want an apology and for it to never happen again.
If you have done something wrong, own up to it where it is something you’ve done. You can’t change what has happened so why make an excuse for it?
Decide Today Is the Day
You need to make the decision that you are not going to make any more excuses. Put a day on the calendar—there is no time like tomorrow—and start from then.
It makes it easier when you make the decision that you will do something and give yourself a deadline. Going cold turkey also makes it much easier to stick to.
Set Up an Excuse Jar
There are times that you will slip up. Every time you find yourself thinking about one or making an excuse, you need to punish yourself. No, this doesn’t mean beating yourself up.
Simply set up an excuse jar and every time you make an excuse, put a small amount of money in. It could be just a penny. Eventually it will collect together and you’ll soon realise how much your excuses are costing you.
It’s OK to Make Mistakes
You will make mistakes—you’re only human!—and it’s OK to do so. If you keep making excuses for your mistakes, you won’t learn from them as much as you could.
Set a good example for your children or others around you by accepting that you made the mistake, learning why and making sure it doesn’t happen again. There just isn’t a need to make an excuse for it!
Tell Your Friends You’re Stopping
Make it clear that you’re not longer going to make an excuse. Something that you don’t think is one may well be and your friends and family members are the best people to pick this up.
By letting them know, you are also making it clear to yourself that this is real.
Reward Yourself for a Day of Excuses
When you get to the end of the day and haven’t made an excuse, reward yourself.
After a while, it becomes easier to do it each day so move the rewards to once a week and then once a fortnight. Eventually you will find that it is second nature not to come up with a reason.
Remember You’re Setting a Good Example
When you’re struggling to stick to your rule, remember that you are setting a good example. You want to be someone your children can look up to.
You want to be someone your friends admire. The only way you can do that is by accomplishing your goals.