Get Out of Excuseville

Are you the kind of person who always finds excuses for everything? 

When we constantly make excuses, it causes others to laughingly refer to us as "Mr. Undependable"!  Regardless of how well respected we may be in other aspects of our life - professional, personal and family - if we're always making excuses...a negative reputation is bound to develop.

You know your excuses are an issue, when people have to confront you about it...even in a joking manner.  Sadly, people may not seem to respect or trust you because you're known as the person who breaks promises, places blame on others or doesn't accept responsibility for their commitments.

REALIZE - We have power over excuse making.  We have the power to break this habit!

• People who constantly make excuses develop a reputation that they can't be counted on.
• Their friends and colleagues tend to view them as the last person they can ask a favor from.

DEAL WITH IT - Your friends and family have stopped accepting your explanations at face value...so should you. Deal with it today.  

• Determine to stop making excuses now.

• Be on time.

• Be faithful.

• Be fruitful.

KNOW YOUR LIMITS - If you commit to only taking on tasks that you can actually accomplish, you won't be tempted to later account for your failings.

• Know your time restraints ahead of time.

• Don't feel forced to take on a project if you know you'll end up laying the blame on others when you fall short.

BE HONEST - Excuse making is as stressful as lying, because you have to remember exactly what you have told various people.

• Excuse makers end up embellishing the facts to cast themselves in a better light.  In turn, this makes your family, friends and colleagues uncomfortable.
• Avoid long winded explanations.
• Admit your mistakes without hiding behind fictitious reasons.

TEAM UP - Make a pact with a friend who has the same excuse making problem.  Agree to point it out if you see them returning to their old ways and have them commit to doing the same with you.

• Getting help from others is healthy!
• Investing your energy into finding solutions, instead of creating justifications will catapult you further.

BOTTOM LINE - There is no excuse for living in EXCUSEVILLE.  We are responsible for making good choices in life.  We're entitled to choose to find excuses for ourselves, to blame other people and to sound paranoid.  But, we'll be happier and healthier if we opt for honesty, integrity and confidence.