No Excuses

I was going through some of my notebooks looking for ideas and thoughts, when I came across this personal mission statement. It was dated November 28, 1997. I know that I was going through some personal and profession trials at that time. To be honest, it was a very challenging time in my life.

I don’t remember writing this but I do remember the time. I know that I was in a very poor frame of mind, feeling sorry for myself. I also remember coming out of my funk soon after this time as Christmas was pretty good, so I have to think this was part of me turning my mental state in the right direction.

It is titled, “NO EXCUSES”.

I will make no excuses. I understand that no matter what I do in life, there will be times of failure. I will look at these times as learning experiences and as opportunities to grow. I will use these failures to reflect on my dreams, goals, and paths I am taking.

I will not make lack of money an excuse because I know that others have succeeded even though they started with far less.

I will not let a lack of time be an excuse because I know that each day has 24 hours in it for everybody and we all find the time to do the things that we truly want to do.

I will not let my health be an excuse as I know there are others who have succeeded that are sicker than I will ever be, have conditions far worse than me, or are handicapped beyond my comprehension. If they can do it, so can I.

I will not use personal obligations or roadblocks as an excuse. I realize that there those whose outside commitments or problems have been a hindrance to their success but they have succeeded anyway. If these people can overcome their challenges, I can overcome anything that I have to face.

I will not allow the phrase, “I don’t know how” to be an excuse. If I don’t know how to do something, I will find a way to learn. I know that there are people who are poor students or have a less than average intelligence who have succeeded. I am a good student, and I know that if my success depends on obtaining an education in a particular area, I can and will obtain it.

I will not make excuses. Excuses are for losers and I am a winner. I know that there are successful people who are dumber, worse looking, worse dressed, come from far more unfortunate circumstances, even smell worse, and who had much taller mountains to climb than I will likely ever have to face. However, they succeeded and SO WILL I!

Not bad if I may be less than humble. I wrote this over 10 years ago and even though I forgot it existed, I have generally followed the principals. While I still have my ups and downs, who doesn’t, I simply don’t let them get me down. At least not for long. Funny thing too, when I don’t look for excuses, I find myself moving forward faster and with more purpose. I don’t get bogged down.

Yes, I had forgotten that I wrote this but, no more. I am going to re-type it, put it in a pretty picture frame, and hang it over my desk.

Let me encourage you to eliminate excuses from your life. Look at troubles, roadblocks, difficulties, setbacks, etc., for what they are, learning and growing opportunities.

Keep Smilin’!!

© Eddy Seegers 2009, All Rights Reserved

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