Good morning! If this morning, you were asked to make a list of anything holding you back from your dreams, what would it look like? Do you need more time? Do you need more knowledge? Is someone preventing you from getting where you want to be or not assisting you as you desire? Is your location holding you back? Is a friend or family member unsupportive? How many of the items on your list are external issues?

If you find that your list holds many external issues--you are likely suffering from "excuse syndrome." There is always, always, always, a reason not to do something or proceed down a certain path. Many people walk around this world seeking out these excuses because then they don't have to challenge life. Comfort is comfortable, but it isn't where our full potential is found.

When I entered book publishing and the author world I had absolutely no knowledge of what I was doing. I didn't have a degree in publishing (actually, I didn't have a degree period). I didn't have any business, marketing, website or sales courses. I didn't have any money, so I had to work full time as a waitress while learning the ins and outs of the field I wanted to enter.

Yet I had one thing that would ensure nothing would stand in my way - faith that if I wanted to accomplish something, I could and I would. I read book after book after book on every area I needed to develop. I read through complete and boring technical manuals to learn web programming. I called people who had done what I wanted to do and I asked for their advice. I ran away from excuses and ran toward the reality that I wanted to create.

As I come into contact with many people who are struggling to move forward, I can often see where the struggle stems from a mile away. Many of these people are waiting for some "external alignment" and won't move forward until that occurs. Of course, when you run into these people a year later... guess where they are standing? In the same place. Comfort is comfortable, but it isn't where our full potential is found.

Your Turn: 

Where have you used excuses or waiting for "something else" to happen in order to avoid the time, energy, and risk involved in chasing a goal? How is that working for you? What if today, you decided to stop waiting for something else to happen and instead made it happen yourself. How would that change where you would be in one year?

Your Affirmation:

I rid my life of excuses and put that energy toward action steps.