What Excuse is Keeping You From Your Goal?

What Excuse is Keeping You From Your Goal?

By: Dr. Peggy Malone

“The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.”

I don't usually include profanity when I'm passing on bits of motivation, but something about this quote spoke to me recently and I knew there were more people out there than just me who needed to hear it.

I have recently tied up my running shoes and got my butt out the door running again after more than a year of engaging in what I refer to as "The Chips and Dip" program.

I wasn't always eating chips and dip during that time but I wasn't moving my body on a regular basis and I saw and felt the ill effects in my body and in my life.

I have been a 'runner' since 2003 when I signed up for my first marathon.  I have always identified with this crazy group of people who like to put one foot in front of the other for long periods of time and get to the finish line upright and smiling.

For the last 2 years, I have still referred to myself as a 'runner', but the problem was…. I wasn't running. I justified it with excuses and played the 'someday' game.  As in… someday, I'll start training again.

The push I needed to get moving again was when a friend who wanted to get running again after having a baby asked me if I would sign up for a half marathon in October. I realized it was time and so I signed up and now that upcoming goal as well as being accountable to my friend is something that pushes me to keep putting one foot in front of the other several times per week.

Whether it's a goal to get fit, quit smoking, lose weight, eat healthier, make more money, mend a relationship, run a certain race, get past an injury, start a business, or any other goal you have been working toward…

…for many people, the excuses and stories we tell ourselves are what keep us from achieving the things we dream about.

Do you remember a time in your life when anything and everything was possible?

What do you think happens to people as they grow up and they leave some of their dreams behind and 'settle' for what life deals them?

We are the great justifiers, the great excuse makers.

• "It's not the right time"
• "I need to have more money to do that"
• "I don't know how to do that"
• "I'm not smart enough for that"
• "I'm too old for that"
• "I'm not experienced enough to do that"
• "When the kids are older, I'll do that"
• "When the economy is better, I'll try that"
• "It's not meant to be because it hasn't happened"
• "That will take too much time"
• "I could never do that"
• "I don't have any support and so I couldn't do it"
• "No one believes in me so I can't make that happen"
• "Only people with connections can do that"
• "There's no way people would want to listen to what I have to say"
• "It's too hard"
• "I'll start tomorrow"
• "I'll give it a try next week/month/year"
• "I'll wait until January 1st"

Have you ever found yourself saying any of these things in your own head to justify staying where you are?

It's a hard truth to face when you look at this list and realize this is the list of excuses you have been hiding behind for maybe years instead of going after what you want.

How about you?  Did you need a reminder to put away your excuses and go after your dreams?

As for me and my current half marathon goal in October, it feels really good to get moving again… and more than that… it feels good to finally stop playing the "Someday" game just jump right back in on my way to a goal.

What are you going to do today that is different than what you have been doing that will take you one step closer to your goal?

Come over to my Facebook page and let me be your accountability partner if you want to jump in with two feet toward your next goal!! 

Live Well,

Peggy

Dr. Peggy Malone is a Chiropractor and an Athlete who helps other athletes to overcome injury and get back to their sport. Her weekly Television Series 'Living Well" inspires people from all walks of life to take control of their health to be as happy and as healthy as they can be.

A former varsity Basketball and Rugby player, she has since entered the world of endurance athletics where she has completed 2 Ironman Triathlons, 3 Marathons, several Half Marathons and many other Triathlons, Road Races and Off-Road Adventure races of varying distances.

Her own athletic endeavors and injuries have given her valuable insight into working with athletes in her practice for both the care of injuries as well as for the improvement of athletic performance.