Every person has even once made up excuses to himself for not doing something or changing something.

Anything. We have all found ourselves in a phase of our lives where something was holding us back from mobilizing. As a person who does not like change at all, I always said this classic "I cannot" until I saw that I could and all my previous thoughts were excuses.

Excuses always find room to fit into our lives. They mainly like the negative thoughts we have about ourselves. And they survive with our procrastination and denial. "Okay, it does not matter, I still have time" and much more such make excuses to take the leading role in our lives. But what is our position in this? And basically, what are these excuses?

I don't have the time.

I am quite sure that there is always time. Whatever your program is, you still have time to change something you do not like or even do something yourself. I cannot accept that you do not have time for a walk in the park or for a coffee with your friends during your week. And I think that's just an excuse because time management is a matter of priorities. Think about what your priorities are, and everything will fall into place on its own.

I do not have the money.

I could accept this excuse partially, but not completely. What gives us satisfaction is not always expensive. Sometimes the simple and free things are the ones that provide us with joy. If we begin to find joy in small details in our daily lives, we will see everything differently. A coffee, a walk, an old book in our library do not cost, but they can change us… for the better.

I'm tired.

You are tired; I have no doubt. And who isn't? And in the end, what can we do about it? Everyday life is difficult for everyone. We take on many roles, but what is our part? In this madness of everyday life, it is magical how much it helps us do things ourselves. From my personal experience, I will say that the time I was exhausted, I was more satisfied with myself. You feel tired, push yourself a little to do something different, and feel very productive, no matter how tired you are.

I'm afraid I am going to fail.

The fear of failure is what immobilizes you and makes you a game of circumstances. And tell me how you failed… and what happened? If you do not try, you will never know. Failures in our lives are the only way to see our mistakes and, of course, to correct them. The biggest disappointment in life is never to take risks. What kind of a life would it be without risk? I would say a little boring. After all, when you are scared, know that you are on the right path.

The right time has not come yet.

Surely good planning always helps us to put our goals in order. But what about the things we already have and do not like? Why stay in a situation that does not satisfy you? Whether it is a personal or professional issue, why wait any longer? The right time will never be found. Something will always happen. But you do not have to wait for others or the circumstances to mobilize. You are in charge of your life, not the others.

In general, people make excuses for a variety of reasons, often stemming from a desire to protect themselves or maintain a positive self-image.

Fear of failure: One of the primary reasons people make excuses is to avoid the possibility of failure. By attributing a potential failure to external factors or circumstances beyond their control, they can protect their ego and self-esteem from the blow of not succeeding.

Avoiding responsibility: Excuses can be a way to shirk responsibility for one's actions or inactions. By blaming someone or something else, individuals can avoid facing the consequences of their choices or shortcomings.

Protecting self-esteem: Excuses can serve as a defense mechanism to protect one's self-esteem. When faced with criticism or the possibility of failure, people may use excuses to justify their behavior or performance, thereby preserving their sense of self-worth.

Lack of confidence: Sometimes, people make excuses due to a lack of confidence in their abilities. They may believe that they are not capable of achieving a goal or completing a task, and therefore, they make excuses to avoid putting themselves in a position where they might fail.

Comfort zone: Excuses can be a way to stay within one's comfort zone. Stepping outside of what is familiar and comfortable can be scary, and excuses can provide a convenient reason to avoid taking risks or facing challenges.

Habit: For some people, making excuses can become a habit. It can be an automatic response to any situation where they feel threatened or challenged.

I think we all need to think seriously about what is holding us back. Excuses are essentially false excuses to persuade ourselves not to do things. So let's stop defining our lives based on lies. And once we realize what we want, we will feel freer.

How to stop the excuses and start making changes?

First of all, you need to recognize that while excuses might provide you with a temporary relief or protection, they can ultimately be an obstacle for your personal growth and prevent you from achieving your full potential —at work or in life. Taking responsibility for your actions and facing challenges head-on will be the a great step toward an excuse-free life.

Develop your self-awareness

Pay close attention to when and why you make excuses. Is it due to fear of failure, lack of motivation, or the desire to avoid discomfort? If you identify your patterns you will address them more effectively. Notice when you're making an excuse. It might be subtle, but with practice, you'll start to recognize the familiar justifications popping up in your mind.

Own your choices and circumstances

Instead of blaming external factors or people, acknowledge that you're in control of your actions. This helps shift the mindset from victimhood to empowerment. Also, stop blaming. This is a crucial step. It's easy to point fingers, but true growth comes from accepting that you have a role in the situation, even if it's a small one.

Change Your Self-Talk

The language you use internally matters; replace phrases like "I can't" or "I don't have time" with more empowering statements like "I will make time" or "I'll find a way to overcome this." When you catch yourself thinking negatively, question the validity of those thoughts. Are they really true, or are you just making assumptions?

Hold Yourself Accountable

Find an accountability partner. Share your goals with someone you trust, or track your own progress with a journal or app. When you're accountable, there's less room for excuses. Don't forget that you need to be honest with yourself as well. Be brutally honest about your strengths and weaknesses, your successes and failures. This way, the urge to find another excuse will soon fade.

Face Your Fears

Excuses often mask fear, either fear of failure, rejection, or even success. Recognize your fears and confront them head-on. When you understand what you're afraid of, you can take steps to move past it. However, you don't have to conquer your fears all at once. Start with small, manageable steps that gradually push you outside your comfort zone.