THE BLAME GAME
“People spend too much time finding other people to blame, too much energy finding excuses for not being what they are capable of being, and not enough energy putting themselves on the line, growing out of the past, and getting on with their lives.” - J. Michael Straczynski
When we were born, we were given 100% of all the talent, all the personality, all the energy, all it took to fulfill 100% of what you were placed on this earth to accomplish.
When we get the dream and then make it into a goal we go to terrific conferences - loaded with ideas, information and action steps to take. We read a book or watch a show that gives us inspiration and a blueprint for our desired outcome. We attend classes with brilliant teachers and take copious notes.
Unfortunately, I know, as many other speakers, trainers, writers and gurus know, that very few of the recipients of these useful messages will ever put them into practice. Why is it that we feel motivated, but don’t follow through? Why is it that we know we have a great idea, but never move to execute it? Why is it that we buy and/or download books, but never open them?
Instead we make excuses (and don’t think that I am not guilty of this too!). Bo Bennett said it so well, “Not managing your time and making excuses are two bad habits. Don't put them both together by claiming you ‘don't have the time.’”
But isn’t that the excuse we make so often? When begin to play the most popular game of all-time – The Blame Game. When I find myself making excuses for not pursuing a certain project, I need to ask “Why are you putting this off? What are you afraid of?” You see, I feel that it all comes down to fear. We don’t like to admit it, but we all make excuses rather than facing the fear of failure, of criticism, of poverty, of success, and of looking foolish - to name just a few of the big ones.
Most of us already know what our core passion is. But, if we admit to it, we have to pursue it and that is the scary part. We desire to win so badly that we start playing a game – The Blame Game, a cheap counterfeit for winning at the game of “Life”. Unfortunately, the sad truth is, the only person you compete against in The Blame Game is yourself. And no one wins. You don’t win and the people you would have blessed lose too.
I have some great quotations to get you in the mood to stop playing The Blame Game:
· George Washington Carver said that, “Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.”
· Melvyn Douglas advises, “Don't make excuses and don’t talk about it. Do it.”
· Doug Hall agrees, “Don't make excuses. Make things happen. Make changes. Then make history.”
· The successful James Cash Penney expressed strong feelings, “I do not believe in excuses. I believe in hard work as the prime solvent of life's problems.”
So, how do we deal with the fear and forget the excuses that keep so many of us from fulfilling our dreams and goals?
First of all, realize and believe there is always a net to catch us. In her enlightening and beautifully written autobiography, Blood Memory, Martha Graham wrote, “Ben Belitt’s poetry more than once animated me to work on a ballet. There is that wonderful phrase of his, ‘Acrobats of God.” What is an Acrobat of God? I feel it is a person, not necessarily a dancer, who lives fully and completely. It is taking your chances whether you fall or not.”
Secondly, know that the more times we fail and make mistakes, the more we learn and even faster than we can imagine.
And when you find yourself making an excuse: “I don’t have the time.” “I can’t resist chocolate.” “That computer stuff is too technical for me.” “I am too _____ (fill in the blank).” “I don’t have the ______ (fill in the blank).” “My metabolism is too slow.” Just stop yourself before you come up with another excuse. You get the idea.
Let's work together to stop playing and start pursuing. E. Hubbard was correct when he once said, Don’t' make excuses, make good.
I'd like to hear about what you're pursuing. Leave a comment, send me an e-mail at chrisperez@katewwdb.com or leave a message at my office 866-853-4462
For fun, check out what the great sage, Rocky says about excuses:
CAP
No comments:
Post a Comment