Excuses ! Excuses ! When we fail to do something we are expected to do, we almost always have an excuse for it. However, if we analyze it closely, an excuse is a self-destructive alibi for failing to do something, especially when it involves attaining a goal. Instead of trying to persevere in finding ways to continue achieving a goal, some of us resort to excuses.

Even a handicap cannot be used as an excuse. Many disabled but determined people have become achievers and champions. Instead of using a handicap as an excuse, they turned it into an asset. Let us explore this further.

A handicap doesn’t need to be a reason for failure. On the contrary, it can be a reason for success. Disabled people always have an offsetting strength that allows them to overcome problems better than others. They have one obsession – to lead a normal life. Depending on the handicap, a person would prefer to be as independent as possible. So, he or she struggles and finds ways to overcome his impediment. When that person can achieve his goal, this raises his self-esteem, inspiring others.

Everybody has handicaps in varying forms and degrees. That is why it requires effort and determination to overcome them. Handicaps can either be physical, financial, or emotional. And they can either be real or imagined. When we look at a handicap, we almost always look on the negative side only. It’s about time we take a look at the positive side of it. The positive side may be the difficult side, but it’s the one worth looking into. It’s the side that is going to lead us to excel in life.

If you think your handicap is physical, like having a weak body, you can counteract this through proper diet and training exercises. As long as the physical parts of your body are intact and mobile, there is no reason why you cannot make it strong and useful. Why ? Even those without legs, for example, can be made to walk or run normally. With the advancement of science, artificial legs can help a handicapped function with great mobility.

So, what’s your excuse ?

Not enough money ?

Who doesn’t need money ? Money is the tool that we have to use almost every day to live and we especially need it to go after our dreams, don’t we ? But first thing first, remind yourself that you are the master of money, not the way around. Must reset your mind and change your perception of money. The more you will think and feel that you don’t have enough money, the more your circumstances will confirm that you are completely right. It’s all about energy. You receive back the energy you are giving out to the world. Where attention goes, energy flows. So, what can you do ?, you’ll probably wonder.

There is a reason why you feel like you lack money. It’s surely due to your past experiences. Once you found the reason, it’s time to shift your energy from lack to plenty. I know, easy to say than to do, but you have to do it if you want your life to get better. Money is our servant, really. It comes when we call it but not when we run after it.

Even with a small amount of money, you can start to go towards your dreams and goals. You don’t have to have it all at the same time. Very often, when we think about our dreams, we think about everything that will imply first before thinking about how can we simply begin to move towards them. Start small with what you have and what you know. Whatever you think you would love to do, u can start today by doing only one thing. ONE !

Change your inner talking from “I don’t have enough money” by “This is not a race, I go at my own pace, it’s a process.”

Not enough time ?

I think many of us are guilty of this one ! This is I think the most excuse used in the whole world ! Me included, I have used it so many times.

By saying “I don’t have enough time”, we actually say “I don’t want to do this” or “I am not motivated”. Then, we end up doing things that don’t serve us to go towards our dreams such as entertaining ourselves too much, eating unhealthy food, focusing on what other people are doing and criticizing or envying them, thinking constantly about the past etc…

Learn how to manage your time properly and prioritize. Write your plans down to have everything as clear as possible. Having a daily planner will really help you to set your tasks, keep your goals on track, and keep your motivation on a high level. You will see that you have the time to do many things in just one day. You just have to be more organize.

Not enough space ?

You know, when I started my photography business, I had no studio until now. When I don’t move to other places to shoot, I shoot from my place. And that doesn’t bother my clients at all. They are interested in the final results, not necessarily on how we are going to produce the shoot. You know why ? Because that was my way of seeing things when I started. I kept saying to myself that I don’t care about having a studio and that I will still have the credibility of being a professional photographer. And this is exactly what happens.

You would say “Yeah, but it’s different for me”, and I would say to you that no matter what you want to do and you keep telling yourself that you don’t have enough space, do it anyway. If you think about doing something, if you feel like your intuition is talking to you, I assure you that you have all the resources you need to do what you want to do.

Too old ?

Let me ask you two questions… Do you want to have regrets for the rest of your life ? Do you want to have regrets on your deathbed ?

Whatever excuses come into my mind, before deciding not to step into action, those are the questions I am asking myself. And my excuses disappear immediately.

And what is too old ? Who set the “too old” rule ? Is it even a rule ?

Maybe you feel like you are running out of time because you are aging, so you prefer to do nothing, thinking that this is the best way to act.

It doesn’t matter what age you are. We all have the potential to do what we love and achieve success. If the desire you have wasn’t meant for you, it wouldn’t pop into your mind on a regular basis. If you think it’s too late, it’s really not, but it is because you think so.

Try to set a goal that you can achieve in 3 or 6 months. Like the baby steps. The baby goals will help you reach the bigger ones.

Too young ?

Same as “too old”, says who ? Your age doesn’t determine if you have enough credibility to do certain things. Of course, you can’t have your driving license at 12 years old. But at that age, it’s not too young to start learning the traffic regulations, right ?

Not enough experience ?

Then build your experience. Keep learning, practicing, listening and, going ! Many people start their business having less than 5 years of experience in their domain. I did it. I started my photography business two years after I began to learn about photography. And you can do it too.

Even if other people are telling you this excuse not to hire you, keep your faith up. The day will come when you will have opportunities banging at your door.

Your skin color ?

You see, we all want equality, success and prosperity, but we are living identifying as different from other people regarding our origins, the color of our skin, the language we speak, etc… The moment you identify yourself as being different from other people, as I wrote earlier, your circumstances will confirm that you are totally right. You will find in situations where people will differentiate you from them and then you will say that the world is unfair. If you’re African or your parents come from Africa, do you wake up in the morning as being black ? Do you walk thinking that because of your accent, people won’t respect you ? Are you telling yourself that your appearance is not to your advantage ?

You know, I am black and I identify myself as a spirit and a citizen of the Universe. That’s how I see myself and that’s how other people see me. People see you as you see yourself. Nobody is above you, nor below you.

Dreams, money, and opportunities have no preference, they have no color.  They manifest to anyone who calls them and to those who are strong enough to believe in them.

Not ready yet ?

We are never ready. If you wait until you feel like “OK, now, it’s time !”, it will never happen. Even when the time comes, you will find another excuse not to do it. I’ve been there ! Many people wonder, when the right moment is. If you are asking this question, the answer is : RIGHT NOW. Don’t wait for another week or month, or day ! What are you afraid of ? People criticizing you ? Some always will, whatever you do. Do you fear you will be ridiculous ? You will always be to someone anyway. It’s about you doing what you love and being happy, not pleasing people.

Your actions are the results of what you say and what you say comes from your thoughts. Your excuses won’t take you anywhere. You will always stay in your comfort zone repeating to yourself all the reasons why you can’t do what you love and be successful. So please, stop making up all excuses about what you can’t do such and such things because you already have everything you need to start.