How to stop making excuses

Okay, let me tell you about my journey out of Excuseville. I used to be the mayor, honestly. "I'm too tired," "I don't have time," "It's not the right moment" – these were my daily mantras. It felt comforting, like a warm blanket of avoidance. But deep down, I knew I wasn't achieving anything I truly wanted. The first step for me was realizing excuses were lies I was telling myself.

It wasn't about laziness, but fear. Fear of failure, fear of looking silly, fear of the unknown. Once I identified the fear, I started to challenge my excuses. I'd write them down. "I can't go to the gym, I'm too tired." Then I'd write the truth: "I'm afraid of feeling weak at the gym." Facing that truth made the excuse lose its power. Then, I began breaking down big tasks into smaller, manageable chunks.

Instead of thinking, "I need to write a whole book," I thought, "I need to write one paragraph today." That one paragraph didn't feel so overwhelming. Another trick was accountability. I told a friend about my goals and asked her to check in on me. Knowing someone was watching made me less likely to make excuses. If I said I'd go for a walk, she'd text, "Walk done yet?" It's surprising how effective that was.

I also started celebrating small victories. Every paragraph written, every workout completed, was a cause for a little cheer. It built momentum and made me want to keep going. I also learned to reframe setbacks. Instead of seeing them as failures, I saw them as learning opportunities. If I missed a workout, I didn't beat myself up.

I asked myself why it happened and figured out how to prevent it next time. Maybe I needed to schedule it earlier in the day. The key is to treat yourself with compassion and understanding. Nobody is perfect, and everyone slips up sometimes. Finally, I understood that consistent action, even small action, beats perfect planning every single time.

Get started, even if you don't feel ready. Refine as you go. Stop waiting for the perfect moment, it doesn't exist. Excuses might creep back in, but now I have the tools to fight them. I still feel tired sometimes, but now I ask myself: Is this a real need for rest, or just a comfortable excuse? Often, it's just an excuse, and I push through.

Trust me, you can do this too. Just take one small step at a time. It’s not easy, but it is possible to break free from the trap of constant excuses. The feeling of accomplishment is so much better than any temporary comfort an excuse can provide. Remember, progress, not perfection.
Name: Anya Comment: I'd recommend visualizing success. When you feel the urge to make an excuse, close your eyes and imagine yourself achieving your goal.

Really feel the pride and satisfaction. This can be a powerful motivator!
Name: Ben Comment: I found that keeping a journal helped me. I would write down my excuses and then challenge them with evidence. It forced me to be honest with myself. It also allowed me to track my progress and see how far I've come.
Name: Carol Comment: I think it's important to identify your triggers.

What situations or emotions make you more likely to make excuses? Once you know your triggers, you can develop strategies to cope with them.
Name: David Comment: I started using the "5-second rule" by Mel Robbins. When you have an idea or need to do something, count down from 5 to 1 and then just DO IT. It helps override the tendency to overthink and make excuses.

Name: Emily Comment: Don't be afraid to ask for help! Talk to a therapist, a coach, or a trusted friend. Sometimes just having someone to listen and offer encouragement can make a big difference.
Name: Frank Comment: I would add that setting realistic goals is crucial. Don't try to overhaul your entire life overnight. Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase the challenge.

This prevents feeling overwhelmed and resorting to excuses.