How long are you going to put your dreams on hold?

Seriously?

Each day that passes, the more excuses are created and “someday” becomes a “maybe” and then a regret.

Do you want that regret?!

NO!!!!

So stop making excuses and start doing ONE THING towards your dream TODAY!

Keep it up.
Every day.
One thing.

“But… but… but….”

No more “buts”. Excuses be gone!

But, Trish. You don’t understand. I would pursue my dream, except I have special “buts.”

Your butt is special; your “but” is not.

I would chase my dream, but…
I wish I could, but…
I’d love to, but…

All been said before.

Here are 5 super, simple tips to obliterate excuses and rev your dream.

Excuse #1 – I would chase my dream, but I don’t have the education necessary.

Then, get it. Research. Be creative. No more excuses.

You are talented. Smart. Able.

Network. Ask. Find a mentor. Discover options. Create an opportunity. Take risks.

Pursue it anyway!

Side note: Richard Branson, entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Group, dropped out of school at age, 16. Aretha Franklin, amazing singing goddess and first female artist inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, dropped out of school at age 15.

Stop allowing this excuse to hold you back.

Make a list of your skills, life lessons and your experiences that have prepared you. School of life typically prepares you waaaaay better than a brick and mortar. Figure out how you’re already qualified. Feeling like you need more? Then take the action steps to achieve it!

Excuse #2 -I’m worried what others will think.

Why? 

Why does their opinion or thoughts matter so much? Are they providing complete support for your life? Are you an indentured servant? Did someone say something so poignant that you choose to not get over it? Why? Does that person still even remember what they said?

Are you seriously trying to convince me that THAT person (known or unknown) has MORE clout than YOUR dream? Than you?

Reassess that stinkin’ thinkin’.

All that matters in making your dream come true is what you think.

If you know that you know this is yours to achieve – then begin.

Write out your dream.

Break down manageable steps and goals to make that dream come true.

What can you do today? This week? This month? In 6 months? In a year?

Be realistic. Stretch yourself. No need to consider what others think, they’re worrying about what YOU think of them.

“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.” – Lao Tzu

Excuse #3 – I don’t have the time.

Make the time. Even writing your goal, saying an affirmation or making a call can take less time than it takes you to shower. You fit in a shower. (Good priority btw) Fit this in too! ONE THING. One thing a day.

Write out your dream with mini and major steps you can take to ultimately succeed.

Still hesitant on where to find the time?

Track your calendar for one week. Now, go back and examine it.

• Where was time spent?
• What can be postponed?
• What can be combined?
• Where can you make time?

Make adjustments to your schedule. Your dream deserves to be a priority.

Pssst! (You can sneak in time for you and working towards your dream.)

• Listen to a podcast on topics pertinent to your dream on your drive, walking the dog or doing chores.
• Read a couple pages at lunch.
• Get to work early and write a page or two.

When your dream is a burning desire you will slip in ways and make the time to make it happen.

Excuse #4 – My family needs me.

They do. 

They also need you setting a good example. Your family needs you having a balance so that you feel fulfilled too.

Remember, if mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.

• Make meals in a crockpot.
• Carpool.
• Enlist help.

Children are more capable than you realize. They can do laundry, clean, and feed the pets. They can help cook. Less than 100 years ago chores were still common for children, including toddlers.

Plan ahead.

Pick out clothes night before. Pack up car or place everything needed for tomorrow by front door. Pack lunch night before. Pre-pack diaper bag, entertainment bags, travel bags so are pick-up- and-go bags.

Be creative.

And, don’t even try to go with “You don’t understand. I’m a single mom. My wife travels. I’ve got toddlers. My kids have activities.”

Preaching to the choir, darling.

My husband did travel. I did become a single mom. Six kids. No more excuses.

There is help to be found.

Ask!

Keep asking.

Pull those big girl panties (or big boy boxer/briefs) up.

Get moving!

Climb over your mental obstacles and rock out your path.

Speaking of mental obstacles…what is your self-talk?

Excuse #5 – I don’t believe in myself.

“I just don’t think I can.”

“I’m not worthy.”

“I don’t deserve it.”

Any of these sounding familiar?

Self-messaging.

Are you your own worst critic or your own best cheerleader?

Are you reminding yourself of your failures and any past regrets, mess-ups, or trash talk from others that empower your negative self-messaging?

QUIT.

No more.

• Make a list of any mental videos that play throwing you off from achieving and pursuing your dream. Counter it.
• Play ten, (at least three) mental videos of your successes every time you slip into one of the negative, degrading videos.

For goodness sake!

You wouldn’t pay over and over to go see a depressing, worthless movie 50,000 times a day would you?

So stop. 

You are in control of your thoughts.

You have 50,000-70,000 thoughts a day.

Make them count! ????

Write out the negative things you say.

I can’t do that. That’ll never work for me. I’m not smart enough. I’m not pretty enough. I’m not handsome enough. I’m not outgoing enough.
Nothing like that ever happens to me. What makes me think I can achieve this?

Now counter what you’ve written.

I can’t do that. – I can figure out how to do that.

That’ll never work for me. – That’ll work or I’ll find something better.

I’m not smart enough. – I am smart enough to achieve my dreams.

I’m not pretty enough. – I am beautiful.

I’m not handsome enough. – I am handsome.

I’m not outgoing enough. – I am able to shine whenever I need to.

Nothing like that ever happens to me. – I am always lucky and prosperous.

What makes me think I can achieve this? – I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. Where there’s a will there IS a way. I am smart, talented and able to achieve this. I have what it takes to achieve my dreams.

Click here for  a Shift Your Self-Talk Worksheet.

Encourage yourself!

Use post-it notes to write encouragement to your wonderful self. 

Stick them everywhere.

In your purse.
On your mirror.
In your car.
On your coffee pot.
On your desk.
In your drawer.

If you don’t believe in yourself, neither will anyone else.

BELIEVE IN YOU!

NO MORE EXCUSES.

Set yourself up to accomplish your dream. Daily.

Every day remind yourself why YOU CAN achieve this dream.

Every day visualize a mental video of you succeeding.

Every day take at least one action step towards your dream.

Every day enlist your family. Yes, every day. Even if they just offer a, “You’re doing great!”

Every day, several times a day, encourage yourself.

YOU’RE WORTH IT!

I’ve been making those same excuses for years. I didn’t realize how bad this was until I found tangible, rock solid proof of my procrastination. This of course prompted me to immediately take action and create the following video and blog post to encourage you to not hesitate any longer.

I believe in you, now go get your dream!

XOXO,

Did you find yourself  guilty of saying any of these? Do you have another excuse keeping you? Please comment below and share your thoughts because we’re on this journey together Darling!