Have you started wondering how come those doggone new year’s resolutions still haven’t accomplished themselves yet? or why making lists of things to do doesn’t always get things done? I know I have; and quite frankly, all of my excuses (and probably yours too) could fit under one of these four achievement-suffocating reasons:
1. Neglecting Poor Math
If you have a goal of achieving a 6 figure income in 3 years but you earn 2,400 bucks a month, something somewhere isn’t quite right. If you have the commendable goal of fighting for international justice, but you spend 13 out of 24 hours wrestling for a promotion at the bank you work at, something is amiss.
How to fix it: Grab a pencil, eraser, and a piece of paper and do the math. Then ask yourself this simple question: can I get to where I need to be, when I need to be there, if I continue on the path I am on right now?
2. Sticking to Dogma
We all know that a good attitude goes a long way in life but the simple truth is, it is 10x harder to have the right attitude under the wrong circumstances.
How to fix it: Call a time out and think about your life. Are your circumstances allowing you to be the person you’ve always wanted to be? If the answer is no, don’t condemn yourself. Just write down the big step you know you need to take and buy a good book on the topic.
3. Focus…or Lack Thereof
If you’re like me, then you probably didn’t even know which order to read those four career choices in. Now, imagine trying to live life that way. No order, no focus, no priority, no results. Muhammad Ali is known for boxing, Martin Luther King for leadership, Steve Jobs for innovation. I want to be known for inspiring people to quit slackin’ and start livin’. What do you want to be known for? Is that where you’re spending your energy?
How to fix it: I wish I knew. Only you can decide for yourself, what it will take to create that laser focus that will allow you destroy your limitations. I will say this though: you must FOCUS. It’s the difference between the light that leaves a mark, and one that simply fades away.
4. Never Saying Rara
In my language, rara simply means no. Sometimes this means saying no to others, but equally importantly, it also means saying no to yourself. Remember, every time you say yes when you really want to say no, you are robbing yourself of priceless time that you could be spending on more important things.
How to fix it: If you’re nervous about saying no to someone, try saying it in a different language. It diffuses an awkward situation, makes the other person laugh, and gives you a chance to show off your multi-lingual skills. It’s an all round win.
When All is Said and Done
If you forget everything you just saw and read by tomorrow morning, I want you to remember this: saying yes to everything isn’t a measure of how nice you are; it’s just an indication of how little you understand the value of your time. Carpe diem and say no to excuses.
