I am appalled by how many people on a daily basis give, what they call them, reasons for not taking action, when in fact they are giving me, what I call them, excuses.
The definition of reason can be described as an efficient cause, a proximate cause OR a motive for an action or a determination OR my least favorite, an excuse: a thought or a consideration offered in support of a determination or an opinion; that which is offered or accepted as an explanation.
The definition of excuse can be described as an explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment.
So what’s the difference?
Well from the definition it looks like excuses are something that help you avoid something or ALLEVIATE GUILT or NEGATIVE JUDGMENT. Why might you want to do that? It comes back to your fears and one of my last postings.
Similarly it seems that reasons are the cause of something. For instance, from the simple cause and effect basics we all learned in elementary, every action (or every cause) has an effect. Thus the REASON for the effect is the action.
So what does this all mean? How do the two correlate?
Well like I said in the beginning too many people are giving “reasons” for not taking action. But we just discovered that a REASON can only be the action. So if you’re not taking action, and you’re giving reasons for not taking action, perhaps ask yourself, why? Most likely because you are trying to avoid feeling guilty, trying to avoid any negative judgment, trying to remove the fear. Which means?
It means you’re giving excuses and the only person you’re fooling is yourself.
The sole purpose of an excuse is to attempt to cloud fear. And if we’re living into our fears, then we know what happens because fear is the assassin of dreams. So now what?
Start living a life VOID of EXCUSES!
Every day when you’re giving yourself a “reason” for not doing something ask yourself is this really just an excuse? Be honest with yourself and those around you and you’ll find yourself taking a lot more action and reaping the benefits because of it!
Hi Sean,
I had left this message in my inbox so that I could read at a convenient time. I just did and thank you for the flag of no excuses. Interestingly enough, earlier this week at a meeting we were discussing “regrets” and that so many people send regrets which is nothing more than an excuse for not attending and not for legitimate reason(s) for not being able to attend. In our community league for example we included a clause that you may be “removed” from the board if you miss 3 meetings in a row.
I like the No Excuses sign and philosophy. In stead of saying I have not had time, at least be honest and say I did not take the time to look or do….whatever We tend to hide behind an excuse so as not to offend or out of fear what the consequence may be. Some people are proud of procrastinating as long as they can and sometimes brag about it too.
Thanks for the message and all the best on West Coast,
Wiggert