A List to Live By – The Most Crippling Failure Disease: Excuses
Failure is part of life. Everyone experiences it. Everyone learns from it. Everyone grows through it. But there is something far more damaging than failure itself
Excuses.
Why Excuses Are So Dangerous
Failure teaches, excuses protect, and that’s the problem. Excuses allow us to stay where we are while convincing ourselves it’s not our fault.
They sound reasonable:
- “I didn’t have enough time.”
- “The market is tough.”
- “I wasn’t given the opportunity.”
- “It’s just not the right moment.”
And sometimes, those things are true. But when they become patterns, they stop being explanations — and start becoming barriers.
The Comfort of Avoidance
Excuses feel safe. They remove pressure. They soften responsibility. They protect the ego but they also prevent progress. Growth only happens when we take ownership. Not partial ownership, not convenient ownership full ownership. That’s where change begins.
Excuses Keep You Stuck
You can’t improve what you refuse to own. As long as the reason sits outside of you, the solution stays outside of your control. Excuses hand your power away. Responsibility takes it back.
When you shift from: “This happened to me”. to “What can I do differently?” Everything changes, this now presents options.
Discipline Over Justification
Successful people don’t have fewer obstacles. They have fewer excuses. They choose:
- Action over explanation
- Responsibility over blame
- Discipline over comfort
They don’t ignore challenges. They just don’t use them as permission to stop.
The Honest Conversation
At some point, everyone faces this moment: The realization that progress is being delayed — not by circumstances, but by choices. That’s not an easy realization. But it’s a powerful one. Because the moment you stop making excuses is the moment you regain control.
Living the List
A List to Live By is about principles that move life ahead.
If excuses are the most crippling failure disease, then ownership is the cure. Take responsibility. Take action. Take the next step — even if it’s small.
Progress doesn’t need perfection. It requires honesty. Excuses will always be available. Growth requires that you choose something stronger.
Sincerely,
Peggy
Live, Learn and Grow on Your Terms.
If this resonates, I would love if you would subscribe. Please share and comment. Ask yourself: Am I be holding onto an excuse instead of taking action? A conversation can be a starting point to making change!
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