Hey everyone!
I’m just going to go straight into it and if you haven’t already read my previous blog on how to stick to new year’s resolutions, please check it out.
Today, I wanted to talk about making excuses. Let’s face it, we’ve all done it and although one of my new year’s resolutions wasn’t to ‘procrastinate less’, maybe it should’ve been! Let me explain…
Since I started back at uni (after Christmas) I feel like I’ve been struggling to get into study mode so yes, I admit, I’ve been putting off my assignments and comfortably making excuses for not getting it done.
I know, I know, I’m only creating more problems for myself, and the funny (not-so-funny) thing is, I actually do realise that I’m building up a backlog of work and a mountain of stress. Not good!!!
I’ll be honest, my short list of semi-pathetic excuses looks a bit like this (see exhibit A below – hehee) but hey, I’m being real.
Exhibit A
- I feel so tired. The truth is, if I went to bed early as planned, maybe I wouldn’t be feeling so tired and I’d be able to get things done.
- I can’t seem to find the time to do it. I may have mentioned in a previous post that I’m constantly trying to find balance, being a working student, wife and mom and all the other roles that I play in this movie called life. I’ve realised that making excuses for not finding the time to complete assignments but spending my time scrolling through Instagram pages just doesn’t cut it!
- I forgot. This must be one of the most commonly rehearsed lines in the history of excuses! Write things down.
- I’ll just do it tomorrow. Oh my goodness, this is definitely one of the most commonly rehearsed lines in the history of excuses! Procrastination at its finest.
“A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault.” – John Henry Newman
I’m not saying that some of my reasons for leaving my work ’til the last minute or postponing study time aren’t genuine, because let’s keep it real – sometimes, unexpected events occur that might delay our progress. However, making excuses just gives us permission to continue practising bad habits.
Ever notice how, when you’re almost at the finish line, the challenge seems greater? Why is that?! We start lacking motivation, procrastinating, losing hope, doubting ourselves etc. STOP!
I’m months away from the end of my course and I keep on telling myself to keep going, keep pushing through it. If you’re someone that loves to take out your book of excuses when things get too much, I’d say the same to you – keep going, keep pushing through it! (Though sometimes I’m better at giving advice than I am at taking it.)
One thing I’m sure of is that making excuses never helped anyone.
Thanks for reading.
SBS