Building self discipline is all about putting an end to excuses. It’s about taking responsibility for your behavior and your life. It’s about getting the most out of all life has to offer.
The ending excuses aspect of what we are doing is particularly important. They keep us lazy. They keep us weak. And they can become a way we sabotage our good work, again and again.
It’s time to put an end to excuses. Follow these suggestions, and put a stake through the heart of this vampire!
Take Responsibility. I’ve touched on this earlier, but it is a foundation of how you will be rebuilding yourself. In all cases you must take absolute responsibility for the things you do – and even the things that happen to that you have no conscious control over. When you accept responsibility you take control of your life. Making excuses robs you of your personal power. Nothing is more important than you having the self discipline to take responsibility for your life. Nothing.
Don’t Waste Your Time on Things That Don’t Matter. When you waste your time on nonsense, it’s human nature to respond to productivity problems by making excuses. It’s a way for your mind to justify poor decision making. This whole destructive syndrome can be avoided by not wasting your time on things of little importance. When you can look in the mirror and know you are taking life seriously, the temptation to make excuses vanishes.
Consider Life as a Training Ground. When you start to regard life as a training ground, setbacks are painted in a new light. They become things that condition you and make you stronger, rather than things to complain or be sad about. This is both a way to get a mental edge and an absolute truth. Adversity is a way to become smarter, stronger, more resilient, experienced and skilled. It’s fair to compare how a winner approaches life to how a champion athlete approaches a game. Excuses are not acceptable.
Focus on the Finish Line. Your long term goals are what are really important, ultimately. Your daily “to do” lists and other strategies I’ve taught you are a way to accomplish those goals, step by step. When you find the temptation to make excuses, there’s no better time to think of your long term goals. This helps clarify where you are at, and just how self-defeating making an excuse can be on your journey. Focusing on the finish line can be a huge help in keeping things in perspective.
Expect Challenges. Almost nothing worthwhile in life comes without a fight. These challenges should be embraced, engaged and overcome. Where’s the sense in making excuses about them? Excuses won’t get you anywhere at all. Instead they will send you backwards. Every morning as you begin your routine welcome the challenges life brings. This is the attitude of someone who get’s things done regardless. An attitude that shows supreme self discipline!
No excuses. No blame. No regrets. Let’s move forward!