There is Always an Excuse

Most days, I use the time during my commute to either read or listen to a podcast because, for me, personal growth is a lifestyle not a hobby. One day, again listening to the Mel Robbins Podcast, her interview with Lisa Bilyeu gave me pause. It’s a moment, in the latter part of the episode, when Lisa’s reminds us—bluntly—that we always have an excuse to put off what we need to do.

The Lump in My Throat

As I listened to Mel and Lisa’s exchange, there was a lump in my throat. I realized how many excuses I’d come up with to not do something. The times I said to myself I couldn’t go to the gym because of my work schedule. The mornings, recently, when I put off running because I told myself there just wasn’t enough time. Or knowing that at 1:00 am, when I arrive home from work, that I shouldn’t snack but do it anyway (even though I’m not hungry), and then say I’ll stop next week. And that became the week after that and the week after that.

Despite the fact that I knew better didn’t help me change my behaviour. Because I always found another excuse to not do something. Until it finally registered that I’m the only one who can change my life, in big ways and small. There is no one, and I mean no one, coming to save me.

Let Go of Perfection

For the longest time, I didn’t want to produce videos for social media. It wasn’t because I didn’t know how to, but because I wasn’t confident about my looks or body image. I’m not ripped. I don’t have perfect teeth. I’d cringe every time I heard the playback while editing. Right out of the gate, I wanted things to be perfect…even though, as a writer, I never chase perfection in first drafts. I know things get better through practice and rewrites and other tweaks.

In my case, chasing perfection consequently led to comparison, and then had me asking, “Will this ever work?” or “Will I ever get it right?” Particularly when it comes to social media, because it seems like (and I could be wrong) that the ultimate goal is to go viral. That creates a lot of pressure on someone when they’re first starting out. How are you supposed to feel when one Instagram Reel has 250 views and another only has 6? It can kill your momentum. And while it’s easier to say than do, not allowing an excuse to stop you from doing something means letting go of perfection.

Allow ‘Let Me Just Try’ to Replace Your ‘Excuse’

If you’ve seen any of my videos on Instagram or Facebook. You can see they’re not flashy. They’re not filmed in a studio or with expensive equipment. It’s just my phone. And while I’m not necessarily completely comfortable on camera, and know I still have a lot to learn, I’ve stopped letting my excuses hold me back.

I can just try.

I may fail. No one may view or comment. But each attempt gives me an opportunity to improve. I look at other accounts not to compare or copy, but to learn.

Here’s what I’ve learned: One excuse leads to another. And the next thing you know, you and your life are stuck in the exact same place they were the day before. Is that what you want for yourself?

I know I don’t.