Every single day our brains make excuses for us that we don’t even realize.
If I was to walk up to you and say “Hey, let’s go climb Mount Everest”, most people’s brains would automatically come up with a hundred reasons why we couldn’t. There is a solution to every one of those excuses and (in theory) there is no reason that with hard work and time, we couldn’t climb Mount Everest. The human brain too often wants to say “it can’t be done” instead of “how can we do it?”
Below is a list of excuses that our brains love to make, and why you should ignore them.
They are Better Than Me
No, actually they aren’t. The people in our lives that exist on pedestals didn’t get up there by themselves – we put them there. We also have the ability to take them off of that pedestal and put ourselves on them. Every single human being on this planet has the same basic opportunities in life as anyone else. What makes the difference between success and failure is effort, perseverance, and dedication. Take Elon Musk, for example. He is self-taught, comes from a bad background, has failed countless times, and has still managed to become one of the most successful and influential people on the planet.
I Can’t Live Without __________
Unless the word in that blank above is air, water, food, or shelter – yes you can. We love to think that we couldn’t live without our smartphones, cars, social media, and other meaningless stuff. Have you ever just turned your phone off for a day? It can be the most liberating thing in the world. Imagine losing everything you have, it happens to people every single day. Quit putting a premium on tangible things and start focusing on what really matters in life – like living it.
Life Isn’t Fair
You are right, life isn’t fair, and if you ever expect it to be – you will be sadly disappointed. If you allow the curve balls that life is bound to throw at you break your stride, then you’ll never get anywhere. Let your attitude determine who you are and what you are capable of. Remember, that right now there is someone who has been through a version of what you are going through, and they made it out just fine. You can too.
I Should Quit
Unless you are talking about smoking, drinking, drugs, or some other bad habit – no one has ever achieved anything by quitting. Anything in life worth having is worth working for. That is true for everything from goals to relationships. We live in a “throw-away” society where people think it is just easier to give up, and start again than it is to maintain or rebuild. True, it may be easier, but think about what you are giving up. How many friendships have you walked away from? How many achievements were never made? Fill your life with things you’ll never give up on.
It’s Too Late
If there is a breath in your lungs, it is never too late. “Too Late” is a concept in our heads. The old cliche of “better late than never” is actually one of the truest sentiments in life. It is never too late to take up a hobby, or say an apology, or get something off of your chest. Not doing something altogether is one thousand times worse than not doing it at all.
I Can’t
Yes. You. Can. If you are realistic about what you want to do, there is only one person that can keep you from doing it. Short of breaking the law and impossible things like flying, there is nothing that you can’t do if you put your heart into it. The day that you realize that you capable of anything is the day that you can achieve anything.
