5 Excuses You’re Making That Hold You Back

By Laura Lifshitz | Apr 17th, 2018

You’ve been wanting to achieve a goal…but you just haven’t. You’ve been meaning sell your old engagement ring after the divorce…but you just haven’t. Everyone you’ve dated isn’t right or you’ve been settling…you say you’ll change…but you just haven’t. Whether it’s as big as finalizing your divorce or as small as cleaning your closet, your general attitude is down in the elevator shaft on the ground floor. You’ve got an excuse for everything that impedes your progress, yet you “buy” these excuses and expect others too, as well.

Hint: good “true” friends and savvy family members will NEVER buy these BS excuses, no matter how hard you sell it to them.

Here are 5 excuses you’re making that hold you back, completely.

1. You Don’t Have the Time

Yeah…we’re all pressed for time, but the reality is, when something is important to us, we make it happen.

Is it important for you to reach a career milestone? Be divorced? Start dating?

Whatever it is you’re pushing off until tomorrow and then the next day…and the next day…and the next day, why do you keep pushing it off? Why are you afraid?

That’s what you need to decide.

2. You Won’t Be Successful

No one will like you. You can’t get a raise. You’ll never convince your kid to do X, Y or Z.

Well, with that attitude, you’re right! You won’t be successful.

If you think negatively, you’ll attract the worst scenarios, each and every time.

The real problem here is the belief system you’ve chosen to buy into, which is negative and full of despair.

This is the sign you've been looking for

3. You’re Too Old to Meet Someone

Anyone can meet anyone…anytime.

Unless you’re a ghost or spirit, you can meet someone if you want to.

IF you put yourself out there. If you give it a chance.

The whole “too old” thing is a BS excuse you use because you’re negative and afraid.

Is it easier to meet people when we’re younger? Sure.

Why? Because we have less expectations and experience to be choosy. We also have larger social circles.

But your age doesn’t keep you from meeting someone.

You do!

4. You Don’t Have the Energy

First things, first.

If you’re not doing something in particular, it’s because you either don’t want to or you have decided to be defeated before you’ve even tried.

There are, indeed, some things that are not worth the energy. You have to pick your battles, but if there are things you want from life, whether it’s at work or home or with a partner or your kids, you need to put your energy into achieving whatever it is your heart is set out to do.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, right? So, your goals won’t be either. Perseverance is an important trait.

If you’re really feeling lethargic, unfocused and stressed, perhaps it’s time to see a therapist, gain experience, sleep a little more and caffeine a little less, and maybe even see a doctor.

5. You Tried & Failed Already

You tried to get your kid help at school. You tried dating after your divorce and ended up brokenhearted.

You went back to college and couldn’t keep up with the workload.

You tried and failed already so therefore, you should never try again.

Wrong-o!

Think of how many times famous inventors and artists tried again and again to get their work or inventions off the ground and applauded.

Did they quit after the first failure?

Wish for it, hope for it, dream of it, but by all means, do it.

Have you ever gone on a job interview, didn’t get the job…and then decide to never interview again?

No and no!

While there are times when giving up is a sign of strength, (like leaving a bad marriage) oftentimes we need to try, try and try again like The Little Engine That Could. If we do this, we will succeed, even if it takes a long time.

You can apply this to almost any aspect of your life. Like with love—it takes kissing many frogs to find a prince!

The moral of this not-SO defeatist story?

If you are not trying, remember: you are the problem.
If you have decided things will not work out or go badly, you are still the problem.
If you are afraid, you are the problem.

If this sounds like you, dig deep and ask yourself how you can change. Whether it’s just reading this article to get a kick in the butt, or if it’s therapy…whatever it takes to turn your glass half-empty to glass half-full, do it!