In terms of achieving goals, making excuses gets us nowhere. Yet many, including myself, use them. They offer a temporary reprieve from responsibility. Like a tease, excuses lure us in with their false sense of comfort in a given moment. But, and it’s a big but, eventually we realize that they come with consequences.

Making excuses is an expressed behavior that hurts our own performance and motivation. Basically, making excuses is sabotage! Overall, making excuses on things that are important to us stunts our growth potential. It also can severely hurt our self-esteem. How? Well, think about how excuses affect others. If someone is counting on us to do our part in something and we toss out an excuse instead or a result, respect is lost. That doesn’t feel empowering.

So why do we do this?

Reasons we keep making excuses

We fear:

• Failure
• Shame
• Success
• Change
• Risk
• Responsibility
• Messing up

Resulting Consequences of Making Excuses:

• Stagnation
• Regret
• Loss in credibility
• Mental blocks
• Pessimism

Essentially, if we want to grow, we need to stop making excuses. Excuses are useless and only stand in the way of progress.

An Interesting Quote

I came across this quote on a friend’s Facebook profile and it rang so true for me. “If it’s important you’ll find a way. If it’s not, you’ll find an excuse.” Ryan Blair

When we deem something important, we’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen. Whatever our focus, be it health, friends, family, learning, business, or reading, we’ll always find a way to carve out time for things that are important to us. Some things like starting a new business or enrolling in a graduate program can seem daunting. But, if it’s critical, we’ll make it happen. No excuse in the world will hold up to it.

With this in mind, it’s important to understand our priorities. If something aligns with our priorities, we’re less likely to make excuses to avoid it. So, if something doesn’t align with our priorities, instead of making excuses, just say no. It’s okay to say no, and even more so, it’s okay to do so without offering justification.

Staying in tune with this distinction will help us to know what to say yes to. Here’s my rule of thumb: if I’ve said yes, I fully commit and leave the excuses behind.

A Closer Look at Priorities

As human beings we’re hard-wired for survival. If our survival, be it emotional, spiritual, or physical, depends on our being able to sit and read a good book or to spend quality time engaging in conversation and laughter with friends, then we will see to it that it gets done. We will overlook the pesky dust on our furniture, the lure of gossip, and the urge to snack on Cheetos if a run better solves the important need of, say, health. No excuse will get in the way.

If you find yourself making excuses over and over again, it might be worth examining whether you’re procrastinating because it’s simply not that important to the core of your life. If it’s not, and it’s reasonable to do, move forward with other things that are more affirming to you. Look for ways to help yourself move forward. I’ve seen a lot of Meet Our Therapy Dog posts that have helped people with anxiety. Don’t stay stagnant. Look for ways to grow.

Here’s a personal tidbit:

I used to be really hard on myself to learn everything I could about opening up a hair salon. This was important to me since the day I started cutting and styling hair. But, then, life took a different turn. I fell deeper in love with writing. I was in the middle of finding a publisher for my novel, The Fiche Room, when I began to question my future.

As my writing career took off, I would find every excuse not to research the hair salon business further. I’d made so many excuses, I felt bad and it started to affect my writing. Finally, after a good long analysis, I realized that my goals had changed and I wanted to focus solely on writing. I let go of the hair salon dream and, in so doing, freed myself up to be more creative and productive as a novelist. Being a novelist is obviously more important to me! I retired a former goal and gave rise to a new one. By shifting, I stopped making excuses and got to work!

How to Stop Making Excuses

Accept that you have a choice.

You can choose which way to go once you land in front of that intersection. You can turn towards an excuse and be off the hook. Or you can turn the other way and face reality. Take responsibility for the choice. Turn it into a thoughtful decision, carefully weighing the pros and cons of each choice.

Remind yourself that excuses can hurt you.

What are the consequences of that excuse? Is it more painful to deal with the result than doing the thing you’re making excuses for? Are you making an excuse not to go to the gym because you didn’t get enough sleep the night before? Are you trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle? If so, and you’ve committed to that, skipping the gym will now place you at two losses: lack of sleep and exercise.

Admit that you’re making an excuse.

Be honest with yourself. Have a heart-to-heart and discuss it with yourself. Ask why you’re making the excuse. Own up to it. If you come out of it knowing you made it because it doesn’t align with your priorities, then don’t commit to such things again. If you made the excuse out of fear, laziness, etc. and the excuse is keeping you from your goals, power up and get it done.

Bottom line is you have the power of choice. You can decide right now what you’re willing to do and what you’re not. If you find yourself plagued by excuses, then it’s time to sit down with a pen and pad and figure out what’s most important in your life. Decide now so when challenges arise, you’ll know what you need to do to get the job done. Control your life so no one or nothing else can.

Over to you. What is your strategy for staying tuned into your goals and not making excuses that will sabotage them?

Whether you’re dealing with a personal crisis or feeling stressed, it’s important that you’re able to put things into perspective. While this does not mean that you should minimize or otherwise try to ignore your problems, assessing the wider picture is useful when it comes to dealing with any emotional turmoil and when working towards a quick solution. However, changing your perspective is not always easy – and it can be hard to stop negative thoughts and feelings from worsening once they have already taken root in their mind. 

With that in mind, here are some easy ways in which you can begin to change your perspective when things get tough. 

Think about the wider picture.

It’s easy to let even the smallest of issues or problems interrupt our entire day. After all, we don’t often plan for things to go wrong – meaning that when they do, it can feel as the worst possible thing has happened. As a result, it is important that you are always able to put things in perspective by thinking about the wider picture. For example, you should think carefully about how much of a lasting impact this situation will have upon you. Will you still be dealing with the effects in a week? A month? A year? If the situation is clearly not permanent in any way, this can help you realize the importance of not sweating the small stuff – as you realize the ‘giant’ problem is not so big after all. 

Keep an eye out for positive inspiration.

It can be hard to break out of a negative mindset on your own. As a result, you must keep an eye out for inspiration that can lift your mood and provide you with hope and guidance moving forward. For example, this could include researching peaceful grace quotes sayings and later displaying them in your home. For example, if you choose to display a peaceful quote above your bed, it will be one of the first things you see each morning. This, as a result, can have a positive impact on your mindset for the day. 

Listen to others.

Another easy and straightforward way in which we can begin to put things in perspective is by listening to those around us. For example, asking a friend or family member for advice could help you resolve a problem much quicker, as they may be able to observe it from a more impartial angle. This is because they will be able to apply their own perspective to the situation, which may differ from yours considerably.

Try to give back.

Whether you are dealing with a busy home life or a hectic work schedule, it’s easy to get wrapped up in our own lives without giving much thought to others. However, giving back to others by volunteering or working with local charities is a great way to put things in perspective. Seeing the issues that others have to deal with can help you realize that your own problems are not as severe as they may initially seem.  It can also provide you with the skills and techniques you need to overcome your own struggles. 

Know that it’s okay not to be okay.

Changing your perspective does not mean that you have to become the kind of person that is positive 24/7. This is due to the fact that this person simply does not exist – no matter what social media will have you believe. As a result, while it’s important that you don’t let your problems consume you (i.e, you find an appropriate way to deal with them), it’s equally important to remember that it’s okay not to be okay. 

Step away from negativity.

While some issues are unavoidable, we are often guilty of placing ourselves in situations that are inherently negative. For example, we may choose to spend time with people who we know make us unhappy. This could be due to a myriad of reasons – perhaps we feel we have known them too long to cut ties, or we feel as though they could change in the future. However, the more we continue to put ourselves in these situations – the more they will continue to impact our mindset and perspective. This is particularly true if they are the kind of person that seems to seek to drag you down through negative comments. As a result, if you are looking to change your perspective and start taking better care of yourself, it’s important that you cut them off at the source. Instead, focus your time and energy into people who will support you. 

Acknowledge your own mistakes.

When your perspectives on a particular situation begin to change (i.e., you begin to view the scenario through another person’s eyes), you may realize that you are actually at fault. For example, you may have engaged in an argument believing you were right, only to realize later that it’s not quite that simple. Whenever this happens, it’s important that you acknowledge your own mistakes and apologize sincerely.  While this could be a little embarrassing, it’s essential if you wish to repair your relationship with the other person. Furthermore, holding yourself accountable is the only way in which you can learn and develop – meaning your perspective of the world will only deepen and mature.

Focus on the positives.  

There can be something positive to take from every situation – no matter how unlikely that may seem. As a result, if you want to change your outlook on life, it’s important that you begin to look for the positives in each situation, even if they seem rather small. For example, while getting let go from your place of employment is often a cause of great stress and worry – there are a few positive elements to the scenario. It means that you’ll get to start afresh somewhere else, enter a new career entirely and meet new people. It also means that you get to challenge yourself by stepping outside of your comfort zone. 

Having a fear of Healthcare appointments is common. For those that feel worried or anxious to attend healthcare checkups or appointments, fear not because you are not alone. It’s not unusual to be worried to go to the dentist or seeing your doctor. There’s no reason to fear as they are there to attend to your health and ensure you are in good health. If you want to overcome your fear of healthcare appointments, here are some tips. 

Find a friendly practice

Not all practices offer friendly services. To overcome your fear, you may need a practice that puts patients first and understands people’s fears. 

For instance, you may currently fear going to see your dentist because they make you feel worried or tense. If that is the case, it will be worth finding a new practice. A place like Genesis Dental understands the worries and fears people have and ensure to create a welcoming and calm environment. A welcoming practice might be what you need to overcome your fear. 

Take a companion

It is essential to put your health first, so avoiding appointments will not be good if you have an underlying issue. If it is difficult to pluck up the courage to go by yourself, start taking someone with you. Although you may not be able to take them in or they might not be able to come with you forever, having company for a few visits might help you recognize that appointments do not need to be scary. 

A companion does not have to be a person. If you have an object or a positive affirmation that helps you feel calm, then take it with you. It can be held in your hand or your bag. Knowing it is there with you may help you stay calm and reduce your anxiety whilst at the practice.

Practice relaxation techniques

If you find that your fear comes when you are in the waiting room, try relaxation techniques to help calm your heartbeat and settle your mind. This could be breathing techniques or listening to music or a podcast. Finding a way to relax your mind and body will help you calm down and feel in control of your emotions. Breathing is a great way to achieve heart coherence, which can help alleviate feelings of anxiety. 

Exposure therapy

The best way to overcome a fear is by facing it. Exposure therapy will put you into the position you dread but in a safer environment. You could do this at the actual practice. If you tell your doctor that you have a fear of the appointments, they can work with you to make the appointment calm and relaxing. This exposure therapy will help you recognize that the appointment is nothing to be worried about. When you achieve a state of calm, you will become more familiar with the benefits and uses of the appointment. You can recognize why you are there and that it does not need to be considered a scary place.

Life is full of tricky health issues. Some of them are a little bit more difficult to navigate than others. When it comes to dealing with these, you might find it frustrating trying to come up with the results that you are looking for. While there are no guarantees, we might be able to help out a little. In this article, we are going to be looking at how you can deal with some of those persistent tricky health issues to make your life that little bit better. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.

Weight

Weight is one area where we can make positive strides towards a healthy future. Perhaps you’re trying to put on weight but can’t, or you want to lose weight but can’t. No matter which one it is, it can be extremely difficult and frustrating when things aren’t going your way. When it comes to weight loss, the most important thing is that you’re eating a calorie deficit and you’re eating quality nutrients. These two, coupled with regular exercise and sleep is your best bet for losing weight. However, if this doesn’t work, then you should consider speaking to a medical professional.

If you’re trying to put on weight then the opposite will be true. You are going to need to eat a calorie surplus, and do different kinds of exercise that focus on building strength. You can speak to a personal trainer about this if you need some advice. 

Pain

If you’re living with pain, it can be difficult to manage. People who don’t live with pain can often not fathom what this must be like. It’s a very real issue. If you haven’t found anything that manages the pain just yet, hopefully we can help a little. First, speak to your doctor and see if there are any medications that might be able to help. If there aren’t or you would rather not take medication, then you’re going to have to try other methods. Swimming is a fantastic pain reliever as it takes all of your weight and this relieves a lot of pressure. Or, you can look at kt tape. Just make sure that you look at all the information such as what is the best kt tape for most applications and so on. 

Hearing Issues

The last thing that we want to mention are hearing issues. We are probably all going to experience hearing loss at some point, but you can hold this off for as long as possible. Avoid loud noises, don’t put anything into your ear, and wear earplugs when possible. These are the three best pieces of advice that we can give you when it comes to protecting your hearing health. 

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the tricky health issues that you might have to deal with at some point in your life. While they can be difficult to navigate, now that you have got our advice, you might find it a little easier. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that managing these conditions isn’t so much of a problem.

We all have moments when we realize we need to get back to great health after a break from it. This can be hard. But it’s not impossible.

If something has happened recently and it has impacted your health, you might find yourself feeling low. Maybe you don’t want to do anything or see anyone. These feelings are difficult, but not insurmountable. In this article, we’re going to look at some of the ways that you can get yourself back on track when something has impacted your health.

Start Small And Work Your Way Up

Chunk things down into digestible steps. So start small and work your way up. Baby steps are the way to go when you don’t care about doing anything. You see, every small step is an achievement. Once you’ve taken the first step, you’ll want to keep going. For example, if today you’ve taken a short walk, congrats! That is progress. It’s better than what you achieved the day before!

If you take this approach with everything in your life, eventually you will get back to great health. Yes, taking that first step can be difficult. Acknowledge that. No need to push yourself to do anymore than you’re ready to do. That will come with time. Just start somewhere, and those small steps will get you to your end goal.

Get The Compensation You Deserve

If you were injured in some way, then you might be entitled to some kind of compensation. To see if you are, we recommend talking to a lawyer and telling them about whatever happened. From there, it can be determined whether or not you need a team of skilled personal injury lawyers or not. They’ll be able to help you get the compensation that you deserve for being injured. This could help you along the journey to get back to great health. Sometimes, that nudge forward is all you need to continue building momentum. 

Believe That You Can

The final step to get back to great health is to believe that you can. It’s not always easy to believe in yourself, especially if you have recently had an issue with your health. But you can do it. You’ve always been able to do it and nothing is going to stop you now. This is true though only if you believe it yourself and want to make the changes.

We hope that you have found this article helpful and discovered ways to get back to great health when something has happened to impact it. It isn’t always the easiest thing to do, but we guarantee that it is going to be worth it! The sooner that you get started, the better.

You’ve finally decided that now is the best time to put your health first. Great! So what steps should you take to make this happen? Well, you just made the commitment to put your health first, and that means doing things that you might not want to at any given time. Do them anyway! You will achieve what you want to accomplish if you do. Keep reading to learn easy-to-implement tips.

Speak To A Medical Professional

The first thing that we recommend is that you speak to a medical professional if you;’re concerned with a health condition. It’s always better to get checked out my a medical professional. You can ask the doctor about some of the safer changes that you can make, without having to worry about damaging your health. For example, with some conditions, excessive exercise or picking up heavy weights could actually do more harm than good. It’s important that you learn more about this from your doctor so that you can stay safe while you are completing your lifestyle change.

Even if you don’t have a medical condition, we suggest that you book an appointment with your doctor. This will help ensure that everything is healthy. It’ll make you feel better knowing that you are in good shape, and ready to take on anything that the world wants to throw at you.

Look At What Needs To Be Done

Try not to go too fast with the changes, otherwise it can get a bit overwhelming. For example, don’t stop eating junk food completely, try to wean yourself off of it. Also, don’t jump straight into exercising constantly as you could end up hurting yourself.

Break It All Down

Instead of trying to do everything all at once, break it all down. Even with things that look simple, break them down too. So an example of this would be if someone said that they wanted to stop eating so much junk food. The first step would be to go home, get rid of a lot of the junk food. But not all of it. The second step would be to not buy anymore until what you have is gone. The third step would then be not going to the drive through or ordering something because there is no junk food in the house. You might think that this is silly, but it’s the best way to achieve.

When things are in smaller steps, they’re easier to do. They’re easier to achieve, probably because you’re achieving constantly. You have finished step one so now you can do step two and every time you complete a step, you feel good about yourself. That is what you want throughout this entire process, you want to feel good about yourself. 

Come Up With A Plan

You also need to come up with a plan as to when you are going to introduce new things into your routine. For example, when it comes to exercise, it’s never possible to know when you’re going to be able to add more weights. So you can’t include this on the schedule. However, you can know when you’re going to cut out certain foods. This is why you should write them on your plan as soon as possible. Following a plan will help keep you in check, which is exactly what you need.

Find Healthy, Yummy Recipes

If you aren’t someone who knows much about healthy cooking or healthy eating, then we suggest you go online and find some yummy recipes that contain all the health ingredients that you need. Make sure that they’re filled with the nutrients and vitamins that you need so that your body is going to be as strong as possible. Of course it’s okay to use a few unhealthy ingredients sometimes, or have a takeout every now and then. You don’t have to live exclusively on healthy meals from now on. But they’re good for you for the majority of the time.

When you find new things, it makes the whole thing more exciting. It means that you’re trying new foods. This can be just what it takes to get you excited about being healthy.

When Do You Want To Workout?

These professionals will be able to come up with a workout plan and a food plan for you to follow. It’s important that you get the right nutrition based on your goal and that you are moving your body enough to get in the shape that you want to be in. 

Sleep And Get Up At The Same Time

When you put your health first, you need to prioritize sleep. This means going to sleep and getting up at the same time everyday. This is important to get your body into a routine, and ensure that you are getting the right amount of sleep. Sleep is important for your health, so you can’t just ignore it. If you’re not sleeping, when will your body recover? The short answer is that it can’t. Get into your sleeping pattern as quickly as you can for the best results. 

Consider Your Mental Health Too

We hope that you’ve found this article helpful and discovered things to help you put your health first. Nobody can force you to do this. So the most important thing is that you have made the choice yourself. Now that you have, and now that you know some of the things that you need to do, you can get started sooner rather than later. We wish you the very best of luck on this healthy journey.