How To Stop Making Excuses (And Do The Things You Want)

Most of the time, when you say “I don’t have time,” this is what your mind is thinking deep inside:

I am scared.
I don’t feel ready.
What if I fail?
What if suck at it?

Excuses like these pop up whenever you think about doing something outside your routine.

It could be as simple as going for a bike ride, or showing up to a party, or finally launching a YouTube channel about your passion.

You might find yourself throwing excuses for not working out, for not starting a new relationship, or even for not getting out of a toxic one.

These excuses are wired to sabotage your growth. They don’t let you make the first, let alone the second and third move.

Through these excuses, your mind tells you that it’s okay to stay stuck, be comfortable, and not do anything good in life.

But if you don’t rise above your excuses, they can talk you out of every good thing that’s waiting on the other side of comfort.

You deserve more than a life lived inside the bubble of ‘maybes’ and ‘somedays’.

So, in this really important post, I am going talk about how to actually stop making excuses and start showing up for your life like you mean it.

Read to rise above all the excuses in your head? Here’s how you can do it:

How To Stop Making Excuses

1. Get Real About The Excuses You Keep Using

First things first, you need to start giving names to your excuses. How, exactly? By writing them down.

It can be really hard to fight something that you’re not even willing to face. This exercise will make you actually face your excuses and stop fearing them.

Be honest with yourself while you do this. What’s the excuse that’s been on repeat in your mind lately?

Any of the following sound familiar?

“I’m not good enough yet.”
“Other people are way ahead of me.”
“I don’t know where to start.”
“What if people judge me?”

Put your excuses on paper like this. Look at them. Call them out. That’s the first step to taking your power back.

A mini challenge for you: Write down your top 3 go-to excuses. Then write one sentence that challenges each one.

As an example, your excuse might be “I’m not good enough yet.”

So, you challenge it by reminding yourself, “Everyone starts as a beginner. I’ll never get better if I don’t start.”

See how much better that instantly makes you feel? That’s the power of reframing, my friend.

2. Stop Waiting For The Perfect Time

Here’s a hot take on perfect time — It doesn’t exist.

Waiting for the perfect moment is just a socially acceptable way to procrastinate. I find this thought so funny, and real.

Life is always going to be a little messy, and sometimes, very messy.

If you wait for all the conditions and odds to align before doing something, you’ll never get it done.

You can start right now. You don’t need a grand plan. You only need a first step, even if it’s small and not ideal.

Because progress is always better than perfection.

3. Focus On What You Can Control

Sometimes excuses come from focusing too much on what’s out of our hands.

Let’s say that you want to get fit, a goal that most of us can relate to.

Your excuses might sound like:

I don’t have 2 free hours a day to work out.
I can’t afford a gym membership.
I don’t have good shoes.

Okay, understandable. Some of those things may not be in your budget or in your control.

But then, what is it that you can do? I’ll tell you.

You can start with 15-minute home workouts, save for a pair of good sports shoes, or just start doing yoga (doesn’t require shoes), and go for walks outdoors.

For every one thing that’s not in your control, there are three other things that are in your control.

Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what you can. You’re more resourceful than you think.

Work with what you’ve got and build from there. This advice could legit change your life, I swear.

4. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Doing new things can feel weird, scary, and very nerve-wracking. That’s because it involves taking risks.

Growth isn’t always going to be fun and glamorous. It can be an awkward and slow process at times, but that’s where the real magic happens.

Your comfort zone is not where your best life lives.

So the next time your brain starts whispering excuses, recognize that as fear trying to keep you safe, and then lovingly ignore it.

Take the leap despite your discomfort and fears. Your excuses stand no chance when you show this level of resilience.

5. Catch Yourself In The Act

Excuses are automatic sometimes. You don’t even realize you’re doing it, which is why awareness can be game-changing here.

Start catching yourself when you make excuses like “I don’t have time,” or “I’ll do it later,” or “I can’t.”

When such fearful thoughts rise, you gotta pause and ask yourself, “Is this actually true? Or is this just my brain trying to protect me from discomfort?”

Nine times out of ten, it’s going to be the second one.

6. Find A Stronger Why

Excuses will win if your reason for doing something is weak.

That’s why you need a ‘why’ that makes you excited to show up. A why that reminds you why it’s worth it when you don’t feel like it.

Want to start working out? Maybe it’s not about abs. Maybe it’s about feeling stronger, having more energy, being around longer for your kids.

Want to write that book? Maybe it’s about finally telling your story instead of hiding it.

When your why is clear and personal, the excuses lose their grip, and you’ll be able to act with strength.

7. Take Tiny Steps

Often, the reason we find ourselves giving excuses is that the action is too big.

Like, maybe you haven’t cleaned your house in ages and need to do it asap. But the idea can be so tiring that you don’t even get started.

This is where breaking down comes in.

You never ever have to do it all at once. Just pick one small action and do it today.

Open that document, go for a 5-minute walk, record the intro to your podcast, or text a ‘hi’ friend you’ve been meaning to talk to.

Once you actually start, your brain starts shifting from avoidance to action.

Momentum is real, my friend, and small steps are how you give yourself this momentum.

8. Be Honest, Not Harsh

In case I haven’t made it clear by now, the motive of this post is not to make you be harsh on yourself.

If a kid is making excuses, scolding them, or being super strict won’t get them to listen and understand.

Your mind works the same way. To get rid of its habit of making excuses, you need to be honest, not harsh or punishing.

You cannot bully yourself into being productive. It won’t last at all.

Instead, you need to start being radically honest with yourself without spiraling into guilt.

You can say, “Yeah, I’ve been making excuses,” and also say, “I’m learning to do better.”

Compassion and accountability together will give you actual growth. And negative self-talk will only fuel those excuses that you are trying to erase.

9. Stop Looking For Permission

So many times, we wait for the approval of others before getting started.

But the truth is that you don’t need someone else to validate your dreams.

You don’t need to wait until you’re more confident or more qualified or more whatever.

You just need to start. Even if it’s messy, even if it’s imperfect, and even if it’s a little unsure.

That’s how everyone begins.

So give yourself permission to go after what you want. No more waiting for a sign from the world.

You being right here in this moment, reading this, is all the sign you need to do things instead of letting excuses stop you.

So, grab it, and run with it.

10. Remember That You’re In Charge

At the end of the day, it’s your life, your time, your energy.

You can keep letting excuses run the show, or you can take the reins.

It can be hard to feel it sometimes, but you are in full charge of your life.

So, the next time you feel weighed down by excuses and weak thoughts, remind yourself that.

Build those habits, take those difficult steps, show up for your goals every day, and make time for your people instead of making excuses.

This small reminder will change everything for you, trust me.

Say Goodbye To Excuses

Excuses might feel safe, but they’re the biggest thief of progress. They keep you stuck in a life you’ve outgrown.

And you? You’re made for more. So much more.

So the next time an excuse shows up, pause, breathe, and choose action over avoidance.

You don’t have to do everything. You just have to begin.

You’re capable, you’re ready, and you’ve got this!

What are the top 2 excuses that are stopping you from getting things done presently? Leave ’em behind by typing out in the comment box!