It’s not MY fault…FOUR steps to defeating the blame game and taking action

Be honest.  Are excuses holding you back from achieving what you want to accomplish?

Ever said:

I can’t get a job because…

The economy is bad and there are no jobs except minimum wage.

No one wants to hire anyone with my degree.

I don’t have a degree and it is a requirement for all the jobs out there.

I can’t find a girl/boyfriend because…

All the good ones are taken.

There is nowhere to meet people except a bar and good people aren’t in bars.

Guys just want to hook up and girls just want a rich husband.

I can’t get in shape because…

I am too tired from working all the time.

I don’t have time or the money to cook healthy meals.

I can’t afford a gym membership.

I can’t save money because…

I have too much month left at the end of my money.

My parents/school never taught me.

The stock market is only for rich people.

Excuses are easy.  You don’t have try anything new and uncomfortable and you don’t have to fail at anything.

Except failing to achieve what you want.

Instead of looking back with regret, why not get started…now.  Not tomorrow, not Monday, not next month, but…now.  How?

1. Give up the excuse safety net.  Make a vow not to use any excuse this hour, then this day, then this week, then this month.  When your mind starts coming up with an excuse, just dismiss the thought by saying “not allowed” and start thinking about how you can, in the words of our friends at Nike, “Just do it”.  Take control over excuses and get positive thoughts going in your mind.
2. Research how other people have achieved what you want.  Google, observe, ask friends/parents.  Other people have accomplished what you want so it is possible. Keep a running file on success stories, photos of someone you want to look like or anything motivational related to your goals.    You become what you put in your mind.
3. Set some goals with action steps and due dates.  Start small and achievable, not “I want to lose ten pounds this week”.  Ain’t gonna happen unless you lose your keys, shoes, purse/wallet and IPhone.  Think: “Lose one pound this week by eating healthy lunches every day and parking at the furthest end of the lot at work and taking the stairs instead of the elevator”.  Write out your goals and put it on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror–anywhere you will see them each day.  Get them planted in your mind.
4. Build on each accomplishment.  As you reach each small goal, add another slightly larger goal.  Think:  “Do a 20 minute at home exercise program every other morning/night.  Make three simple healthy dinners each week”.  Keep your thoughts towards those additional goals and remind yourself what you have already achieved.

Your mind is a very powerful thing.  Getting it focused on achieving your goals PLUS taking small action steps each day will guarantee positive results.  Every day, every hour, remind yourself that anything worth having takes thought, action and time.  Other people have accomplished what you want to do and ain’t nobody got nuthin’ on you, right?

Right???  That’s right.  You got this.