Making excuses is a trap we all fall into. If we try, it's really not that hard to come up with a reason not to do what we really want. The reason to justify the status quo. The reason to not take responsibility for the things that happen to us. And they seem perfectly valid.

We are dropping every excuse in the book about our problems and tough conditions stopping us from success. How can we expect our situation to be different if we continue going down the same path?

Here are some of the most common excuses why we aren't winning. It's a choice. And the outcome of our life is based on the choices we make.

I'm afraid of what my family and friends will say

Seeking approval from other people leads nowhere. You start valuing opinions of others more than your own. Entire decision making process is taken over by this need for approval.

I've spent majority of my life trying to please everyone, telling them what they wanted to here, while always trying to convey best possible impression about myself and worrying what they think of me or my plans. Until I realized how limiting and pointless it is.

The world is out there for experimenting. Don't expect your loved ones or colleagues to understand 'crazy' ideas that run around in your head.

The greatest fear in the world is the opinion of others, and the moment you are unafraid of the crowd, you are no longer a sheep, you become a lion. A great roar arises in your heart, the roar of freedom.
_Osho

The Conditions aren't right

Opportunities easily get lost while you are waiting for perfect conditions. We don't have the luxury to wait for the clouds to pass, for the rain to stop. Starting something is the hardest. That initial resistance can keep us from pursuing something we really want. The blank page of our Steemit article. Hesitation before hitting the gym.

But everything becomes easier when you push through it, when you force yourself to take action when you are uneasy. That's when the conditions become 'perfect'.

Are you doing things you need to do right now, or are you waiting to 'feel the moment'?

I've never done this before

This goes hand in hand with "I don't have the skills" or "I'm not that good".

Everything needs to start off from somewhere. You've never read before you learn how to do it. You've never drove a car before you took the classes.

Becoming successful or good at something is not an easy task. It requires practice and learning. If you don't have money to pay someone else to do it for you, then learn as you go.

It's scary. But it's the only way to grow. By putting yourself out there, maneuvering and learning from mistakes.

Better to be safe than sorry

As a species it's in our DNA to avoid anything uncomfortable or unknown. We cannot rely on safety while pursuing success. The truth is it will always require taking calculated risks. And once we do it, it feels both exciting and terrifying.

What's the worst thing that can happen? You can either fail, learn from experience and try again. Or you win.

What do you prefer - going on an adventure or staying home, comfortable, not changing anything in your life?

The truth is that the world is full of dragons, and none of us are as powerful or cool as we’d like to be. And that sucks. But when you’re confronted with that fact, you can either crawl into a hole and quit, or you can get out there, take off your shoes, and Bilbo it up.
_{Patrick Rothfuss}

There's too many obstacles

We can learn a lot about overcoming obstacles from ancient stoics like Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus or the practitioners of this philosophy.

They say that the only way to accomplish something spectacular is by using all obstacles to your advantage. Approach them with a clear, calm mind, then use your energy to break them and turn them into opportunities.

What books, video games or hero movies teach us about obstacles? How fun would it be to save the Princess Peach following the straight path without dangers, obstacles, storms and riddles along the way?

It's worth so much more once you complete the mission.

I tried before and failed

It's not the failure that stops us. It's the fact that most of us give up after that first failure.

Dust yourself up and try it again. Approach it from a new angle. Learn faster. Adapt. Work harder. Smarter. Everything extraordinary, every great thing on this planet was born from countless trials and errors.

Failure does not feel good, but it's the only way to learn and move forward. It's not the end of the road, but a lesson and fuel for the comeback.

I'm afraid of what happens if I succeed

Believe it or not, but fear of success can sabotage the plans even more than fear of failure.

This sounds odd. How could I be afraid of becoming more successful, having more money, socializing with more people, being promoted, having fit body or books published on Amazon?

When you succeed, people's expectations will change. Your responsibilities will change. So will your relationships.

You might feel like you're not ready for that level of success.

Accept the discomfort. Act, don't think. And enjoy the journey.

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