No Excuse

“I’m too tired.”

That’s one of my favorites. Applicable to any situation – and I mean any. And it doesn’t cause me to do the head-tilt-to-the-left-run-fingers-through-the-hair thing that I do when I’m exaggerating, because you see I am not exaggerating. I AM tired. Therefore, with this reasoning, an excuse rooted in truth is almost not an excuse.

Almost.

Other faux excuses that have worked well for me?

Not enough time.

I am just too busy.

Not enough money.

I just didn’t think of it.

I haven’t gotten to it yet.

I didn’t get to it today, because I’m wearing my sweats.

O.K., haven’t really tried the last one but thinking it could work because  my husband is already mystified by my distinction between nice sweats and casual sweats.

And for awhile, I apparently thought the phrases above were easier to pronounce than “NO,” because I used them a lot more often. Somehow, by using them I could get away with being less responsible, less accountable, less like a grown-up like when the milk turned sour (didn’t have time to get to the store) or the laundry turned pink (I can’t be expected to manage everything) Then, again, I’m also one of the few who thought that Brett Favre was really retired.

But, unlike Favre I really have quit – making excuses – and a couple of things have happened.

1.) I realized what a bad habit I was in by focusing on some of these negatives. These little phrases are insidious forms of self sabotage. They tired me out. Convinced me I couldn’t do what I planned to do. I do so much better without them.

2.) I recognized that I have enough. I have plenty of time to do what I want, when I’m not complaining about how little time I have. It’s not like I get more than 24 hours, I’m just more aware and discerning about how I spend it. It’s the same deal with money. We have what we need and I’m grateful to have it. So instead of working from a place of lack, “I don’t have enough” I can hold my power and think “No thank you, that’s not how I want to use ALL the money, time, space, energy I have right now.”

It’s a subtle shift, but it’s made a big difference. I feel authentic and a little lighter.

Bet you will too.

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