A Catalogue Of Some Common Excuses

We all use excuses at times for whatever reason. It makes us feel good, it is a justification of our behaviour, and it is a reason for our inaction and procrastination.

I am hoping if you can relate to one of these excuses it may either make you laugh or you might feel a little guilty or you may recognise it next time you are using one of these excuses and realise it is an excuse and change your behaviour.

Whether you learn from this or laugh at this, I hope you get some value from it.

It will be difficult
Ah yes, this is designed to discourage you. Do you actually have any proof that it will be difficult? Loads of things in life are difficult but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.

It’s going to be risky
Most things in life have an element of risk in them, if we just stop and think about it. It’s pretty hard to guarantee that something will be completely risk free? Maybe think about what is your risk tolerance and if it is below that level then give it a go. If it is above that then how much above and perhaps just this once, you could push forward and extend your comfort zone. Who knows it might actually work out brilliantly.

It will take a long time
It may take a long time or it may not take a long time. What difference does time make? If it is something that is going to allow you as a person to grow, develop and extend then perhaps it is a good investment of your time.

There will be family drama
Oh yes, the old family drama excuse. It’s a good one, that’s for sure. Perhaps it is time that you took control of your own life. That you decided to live life on your terms. Rather than letting others opinions, values, and beliefs direct your life.

I don’t deserve it
Would you say that to your best friend? I doubt it. So don’t say it to yourself. We are all worth it. Each and every one of us is special and deserves to live our life to the maximum. Treat yourself more kindly because you really do deserve it.

It’s Not My Nature
It’s not in your nature yet! It could be, if you just decided that it is something that is important to you and that you really want to do. We all have the opportunity to change what we have always been, to reinvent and recreate ourselves. It actually doesn’t have to be that dramatic and reinvent and recreate it could just be extend our self a little bit.

I can’t afford it
Yes you can, believe it or not. Start a savings plan. Are you someone who dreams of going overseas but can’t afford it. Well start saving today and in 5 or 10 years’ time, you will be able to afford it. If you want to do a course that is going to allow you to become a better you then save up, borrow; find a way to make it happen. Change your thoughts from ones of poverty and never having enough to thinking that whatever I need in the form of assistance to guide me in the direction of my life will come.

No one will help me
Really? No one? The fact is that the world is filled with people who would jump at the chance to help you with whatever you’d like to create. But if you hold on to a false notion that no one will be there to help you, your experiences will match that belief. Open yourself up and you will find there are loads of people who would love to help and support you.

It Has Never Happened Before
Yes, that’s true, and if you continue to do things the way you have always done things, it will never happen. Alternatively, you could open up to the possibility that just this once it might happen.

The past is something you leave behind, much like the wake of a speedboat. That is, it’s a vanishing trail temporarily showing you where you were. The wake of a boat doesn’t affect its course - obviously it can’t, since it only appears behind the boat. So consider this image when you exclaim that your past is the reason you aren’t moving forward.

I’m Not Strong Enough
Some of us have spent years believing that we are not strong enough, that we are weak. This actually strengthens the belief. If you are truly weak, you will find it only takes a little bit of criticism to discourage you and activate this belief: I’m not a strong person, so I’ll resort to my true self, that of being weak. Start to change your thoughts, believe in yourself, and give it a go.

I’m Not Smart Enough
Interesting thinking. I actually believe that the way we are tested and graded at school gives many of us the belief that we are not smart enough. Did you know your vast intelligence isn’t measurable by an IQ test or school reporting results? Your ideas or beliefs about what you’d like to be, accomplish or attract are evidence of your genius. If you’re capable of thinking and conceiving an idea then that act combined with your passion will make it happen.

I’m Too Old (or Not Old Enough)
This is one I am passionate about I’m too old (or not old enough). Look around you there are plenty of people who are choosing to be old and there are plenty of others who are choosing to live life to the fullest. Don’t let your birth age dictate your potential.

The Rules Won’t Let Me
What rules? Who set the rules? Who told you those are the right rules? Sometimes, rules are made to be broken. The famous Wright brothers broke a whole lot of rules and now we have aeroplanes that can fly us anywhere in the world. So go on break the rules. If you do, something incredible may happen.

It’s too big
So many things in life are big; however, that is where we can achieve great things. We just need to take the first step. So what is your first step? Figure it out, then take action and then take another step and move even closer.

I don’t have the energy
In our 24/7 world, many of us are tired, worn out, exhausted, and weary. However, not having the vitality to fulfill your life purpose is such a shame. I believe our self-talk is really a key to what we can achieve so drop the “I’m too tired” and see what happens. Never say it again.

It’s my Personal Family History
We all have a personal family history. For some, it is birth order, for others, having divorced parents, single parents, being adopted, alcoholic parents ... we all have a story to tell. Look at your family history as a blessing - it is what you had to go through to arrive at where you are today.

I’m Too Busy
If you’re overextended, know that you’ve chosen to be in this position. All of the activities of your life, including those that take up huge portions of your time, are simply the result of the choices you make. If your family responsibilities are problematic, you’ve opted to prioritise your life in this way. If your calendar is crammed, you’ve decided to live with a full schedule. If there are way too many small details that only you can handle, then this, again, is a choice you’ve made.

I’m Too Scared
Yes, that is possible, but you are letting fear control your outcomes. Take control of your fear, decided to take one step to overcome your fear and start living the life you want to live.

Remember Franklin D Roosevelt’s famous refrain from his inaugural address, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

That is some of our most common excuses take a moment to think about which excuses you are using and then decide to eliminate your excuses. Take back control and live life on your terms with a purpose.

You can be in control!

When we let other people control our life we are passing control of our thoughts, mood, and experiences onto other people who are out of our control. When this occurs we are living a reactive life. The benefit of letting others control us is that we have someone else to blame – and that feels good.

The alternative action is that we could take responsibility for our self.

Are you living your life according to what others want?

We can automatically spend our lives living up to the standards of others instead of taking the time to work out what we want. For example:

 The man who has spent 25 years working as a lawyer because his father was a lawyer. He never changed his profession even though he had the ability, skills and drive to be a professional tennis player

 The mother of five children who feels that she’s less successful than other mothers because she is not a career woman and takes on board what the media says about stay at home mums

 The young adolescent who exercises and diets because the models in the magazines constantly remind her she’s not a size 8 and therefore not a beauty by today’s standards

 The musician who has a regular government job in finance because his parents told him to “get a real job” yet his passion was and always has been music

 The young basketballer who never reached her full potential because her parents focused on her mistakes in the game rather than all the really good plays she made

 The 45 year old father of three children who is still hoping one day his father will congratulate him on what he has achieved rather than point out what his failings are

Take some time and think about times when you have let others control your life?

How did it make you feel?

Do you still let others control your life?

What steps can you do so that you are in control of your life?

Who is going to have the biggest effect on your future?

About Us


LifeStyle Refocus is a Melbourne based personal assistant, corporate concierge and lifestyle management consultancy. They are all about saving you TIME. By taking care of your “to do” list so you can spend time doing the things that are truly important to you. For more information go to www.lifestylerefocus.com.au or contact Silvana on 0417 595 744 or Michele on 0437 311 802.

New Habits to Manage Time

With any improvements in life it is often our own habits that have to change to be able to move forward. Once I have written on a subject I like to reflect on some new habits or attitudes that we should be developing so that we can move forward. Therefore based on this I would like to propose the following:



Ask yourself “What will make the biggest difference?”
Are you making the best possible use of your time? Do you find yourself being reactive rather than proactive? Are you managing to do what you want to achieve? Therefore each day when planning ask yourself – “What is it I want to achieve today?” and “What will make the biggest difference in my life right now?”


Don’t be late
Lateness is rude and often seen as a lack of respect towards the other person.


1440 Only
We all have the same 1,440 minutes per day – how we utilise that time determines our ability to have a productive day. Remember Pareto’s Principle – the 80 / 20 rule, therefore do the 20% of really important things in your day, the other smaller stuff; the 80% will take care of itself.


Building Solutions
When you’re next thinking of a solution to a problem, make a list. Draw a line down the middle of a page; in the left hand column list things you can control and in the right hand column, list things you can not control.


Be pro-active about what you can control – that’s where you get the most power, don’t waste time on what you can not control.


About Us

LifeStyle Refocus is a Melbourne based personal assistant, corporate concierge and lifestyle management consultancy. They are all about saving you TIME. By taking care of your “to do” list so you can spend time doing the things that are truly important to you. For more information go to www.lifestylerefocus.com.au or contact Silvana on 0417 595 744 or Michele on 0437 311 802.