Make an Effort, Not an Excuse… A simple motto when adopted that can alter your outlook on anything in life as well as enable opportunities to achieve results. For me, taking on the motto has changed my lifestyle, and by presenting an optimistic view has created a new set of challenges to be set and achieved.

Making an excuse is a pretty quick and easy decision. I remember the first time I decided I should go out for a run. From the decision to run to the actual run itself almost a month passed. I had a whole list of excuses. It’s too cold, too dark, too late. It’s raining, I’ve got to go see my mates, I need new shoes, I’m feeling a bit tired… need I go on, I’m sure you’ve heard (or even said) quite a few of these excuses. This list isn’t comprehensive, but pretty typical. Each time I thought about getting out for a run it was always a quick chance to run through the list of excuses first. Unfortunately for my fitness, I always seemed to find one of those excuses which kept me inside. Something needed to change, and eventually it was the adoption of the motto that helped break the trend.

Making an effort means breaking the mould and removing the excuses. Without the effort, things don’t get done, whether mentally or physically, commitment to achieve is required. If there is no commitment there will be excuses. Making the effort can be easy or difficult, simple or hard, but either way it needs to be made. Once the effort is made, the chances an excuse can hold you back will either disappear or at least be lessened to a point they become a surmountable challenge.

Let’s have a look at a quick example. My decision to start running occurred during summer, when the days are long and the weathers warm. Whilst browsing a site online I noticed a sale on running tights, and made the purchase with the thought having a pair will remove the ‘It’s too cold’ excuse during the colder months. As autumn came along and the temperature started dropping and the days were getting shorter my enthusiasm to get out running in the cold morning air was waning. Once the first thought of ‘It’s too cold’ started to enter my head it was quickly overridden by the knowledge I had a pair of tights available and I had one less obstacle to prevent my effort.

As another example was my challenge to run the distance of a half marathon. My first step was to look for an organised event to set as a goal. Once the event was identified I could mentally prepare for the steps to conquer the challenge. Unfortunately it worked out I couldn’t attend the event due to a family commitment. Wow, a ready made excuse presented itself to prevent my achievement. With my new motto front and center I made the decision to forget the excuse and create the effort. My solution was to head out earlier than normal for my weekend run and complete the distance on my own. By the time I had finished the run I had ticked off another goal by making an effort, not an excuse.

Sometimes we look at all these inspirational messages people post and nod our head and quickly forget them. Have a look at this one and see how many things it will assist you achieve and ask yourself, if I make an effort, not an excuse can I get more out of those things I’ve been putting off?

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