Do You Make ‘Excuses’ or Give ‘Reasons’?

What type of person are you? A person who gives excuses when things do not go according to plan? Or someone who gives a valid reason and accepts responsibility even if it’s not your fault and tries to improve the next time?You can fast-track your personal growth by a closer inspection of the difference between “excuses” and “reasons.” Have you heard your boss say, “I need results, not excuses”? Giving excuses may be common in your workplace. Perhaps you’re guilty of doing so. You might have said, “I did not finish the report because I have a lot of things to do”.There’s always an excuse when a task has not been accomplished, or a goal has not been reached. An excuse is justifying and defending yourself for not doing the things you need to do. You’re absolving yourself by shifting the blame to another person or to the situation.In a sense, you're saying ‘It's not my fault!”. There’s no positive result from this behavior. It conveys that you're inefficient, irresponsible, and refusing to accept responsibility.Excuses can be habitual. You may practice it only in the office but also in another aspect of your life – dealing with your partner and children or in your relationships with other people.Limiting what you are expected to do by giving excuses is often a very real reason why people fail to see their dreams and visions become a reality.

Table of Contents “Just Give a Reason”Four Popular Excuses You Can Transform into Potential1. I don’t have the skills and education to qualify for the job.2. I can’t find the time to do all the things I want to do.3. I’m not given the right opportunity.4. I’m a failure whatever I do.

“Just Give a Reason”

A reason is giving an explanation and showing factors beyond your control that contribute to not finishing your task or reaching your goal. However, you accept responsibility for what you have done and not done. You allow yourself a chance to change and grow.With this proactive view in life, you believe you can improve and do better the next time. By doing so, you’re open to greater possibilities of what you can accomplish. It shows you have an analytical mind, you’re logical and rational, and a person who is goal-oriented and can find ways to reach them.When you accept your shortcomings and personality flaws, you start to think of a better course of action to reach and accomplish what you set out to do.With this attitude, you establish a stronger relationship with your boss, co-workers, family, friends, and acquaintances.You’re a person that can be relied on. You can take on more responsibility. Opportunities for promotion within an organizations are enhanced . As far as your future is concerned, you will be more successful in whatever endeavor you have chosen.

Four Popular Excuses You Can Transform into Potential

1. I don’t have the skills and education to qualify for the job.

Is this a valid reason for not doing your job well, or attempting to do better? Of course not! Skills are acquired, you can learn them. If you don’t have any idea how to do the task, ask someone.Find someone to mentor you. You can also learn different skills needed for your job from online courses or short courses and training offered by universities and colleges.

2. I can’t find the time to do all the things I want to do.

There’s always something to do to occupy your time. Making priorities is the key to be more productive and efficient. You can make a journal and list your task from the most important to the least and give each one a time frame. At the end of the day, you’ll find that you still have time left to spend with your family and friends.

3. I’m not given the right opportunity.

Waiting for the right opportunity, or worse still, waiting to be ‘discovered’ is the slowest road to success. How about if it never happens? Instead of waiting, make your own opportunities. Make your own bridge and cross it which means you can create opportunities for yourself. Meet new contacts, learn new skills or try a different approach. There are a lot of possibilities, if you are proactive.

4. I’m a failure whatever I do.

Negative thinking will forever keep you from maximizing your potential. How can you be successful if you always think of failure? Be positive. Don’t compare yourself with others.Constantly remind yourself that you have your own set of talents and skills. Set achievable goals based on your potential. Don’t waste time fantasizing about unattainable things. Put real effort into real goals.