Why do people make up excuses after excuses to justify themselves for not following through on things that they want to do? Especially for things that are important but perhaps not yet pressing urgent.

We make up excuses as to why we are not exercising, not eating healthy, not studying for an exam, not working towards our goals, not performing at work, not being the best version of ourselves, on and on.

Some of us do it more often than others. It is ok to do it from time to time, we are human after all.  However, it can become a problem if the excuses keep us stuck in the same spot for way too long.

So why do some people would rather live with guilt and regrets than to do the very thing that can improve their lives?

People do that for varies reasons. Here are five common reasons why this happens to some of us and how you can change it.

Reason 1: Fear of Change
When the feeling of fear is greater than the desire to improve their current situation.

Reason 2: Fear of Failure
The mentality that if I don’t do, I won’t fail. So it’s safer not to try.

Reason 3: Fear of Uncertainty
If it is not broken, don’t fix it. Even if it is a pain in the backside to have to live with it, it is still better than facing the unknown, because the alternative could be worse.

Reason 4: No Clear Vision of a Desired Outcome
There is a difference between, “Yeah, it’d be nice to lose some weight”, and “I am going to lose 5 kg by Christmas this year”. The first is undefine and vague, whereas the latter is precise and clear.

Reason 5: Unresourceful Mindset
They say to themselves they don’t have enough time, money, or knowledge to do what they need to do.

People tend to tell themselves that these are not excuses, they are facts. The truth is, we always have the power to choose, perhaps it was your choices that led to those fact?

When we make excuses, we are settling for less.

It means you can potentially be more, have more, achieve more, but you simply choose not to put in the extra effort to even give it a fair go.

This usually leads to many regrets in life further down the road.

If you want a more fulfilling life, stop the habit of making excuses.

Start doing the following instead:

Way forward 1: Focus On What You Have

Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, focus on what you can do with what you have. What’s one baby step you can take that can move you closer to your ideal reality?

Way forward 2: Stop Fearing The Unknown

As long as we are continuing to progress and grow, the fear will never go away. So accept that it will always be a part of your life and development. Know that whatever happens, you can handle it.

Start from something small and start getting used to stepping into the unknown more often. I have never seen confidence come before action, confidence usually comes from taking actions. For instance, the first time you do something new you will not feel very confident, but the second and third time  you do it you will feel more and more confident. That’s how confidence is built.

Way forward 3: Take Responsibility For Yourself.

We can’t change some of life’s circumstances, but we can always control our responses to them, which then lead us to different outcomes.

Take ownership of your life from this day onward by committing to take charge of things that are within your control.

Way forward 4: Get Clear On What You Really Want.

How do you know what to work towards if you do not have a clear picture of what you truly want? Get clear on what you want in life and who you want to be. Then take small actions every day to move closer it.

Way forward 5: Believe In Yourself.

Have the confidence to know that you can handle whatever comes your way. Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. No effort is wasted. You’ll survive. The most unhappy people are the ones who are not progressing.