6 Hazardous Excuses We All Use and Need to Stop Right Now

We all want to get more done but often the little voices in our head try to justify why it doesn’t need to be done right this moment. The excuses we make in life create bad habits. Company culture is created from company leaders and from our team members, which is why it is important that we nix the types of excuses that are a waste of time and transition to thinking like successful people.

Here’s a list of common excuses and ideas on how to get un-stuck: 

“I will get to it later.”

We’ve all said this with great intention, but it rarely happens. The key is to calendar it and hold true to the calendar time to get the task done. Batch like tasks into blocks on the calendar so you have the time to get to the things you need to do in everyday life.

Learning to stop using these works will allow more positivity and less wasted energy. The words we use create “Brain Habits” that are key for productive people so start changing that vocabulary!

“I need some other information before I can start.”  

While this may be true, there’s no reason you can’t get started. Believing you need all information first is a misguided notion that can put a strain on team dynamics and the effectiveness of CEOs. Often there is a lot that can get accomplished with planning and project management, and the process of working on the project may help you clarify what other information you truly need. 
Just get started.

“I need to handle this other little task first.”

This kind of thinking will keep you stuck. There will always be little things. Instead prioritize the tasks that will move you and your business forward. The smaller little tasks always manage to get done, but if you don’t take time for the big projects they won’t. Lack of clarity on your calendar allow these types of excuses to take center stage and can sabotage your personal life.
Stay focused on what is highest priority that will move you forward and remember; the little tasks will always come together.  

“I don’t feel good.” / “I don’t feel like doing this right now.”  

Chances are once you start in on the project, you’ll find a renewed sense of inspiration and be glad you spent even just 10 minutes making some notes, outlining your plan, or fine-tuning something you worked on before.  Productive people know that getting started is key to be moving forward versus staying stuck.

“I’m not ready.”  

You always have the opportunity to choose to move forward. Feeding yourself negative self-talk is the quickest way kill productivity. Plus, excuse after excuse is exhausting.

Retrain the brain to instead say, I choose to get started for 10 minutes…”  This empowers you rather than creating a limiting belief.  

Also, often a lack of confidence in the “know-how” can feed this brain habit of procrastination. Instead, just fail forward but just spending 10 minutes commencing and you will feel better.

“My environment is not conducive to work on that right now.”

Whether there is loud music or a busy environment, you can choose to put your head down and make the best of the situation. Improvisation often leads to some of our greatest breakthroughs.  Make a little sign out of scrap paper that says “Million Dollar Project in Process, please do not disturb for 15 min.”  People will laugh but they will also leave you alone. 

There will always be excuses in life, but if we can train our brain to embrace more positive verbiage, we can eliminate the hazardous excuses that clog our days.