I’m sure you’ve seen the slogan “Just Do It” it’s printed next to the Nike logo known as the Swoosh. This is one of my favorite slogans, it was created in 1988, and it took Nike to a complete new level of success by appealing to everyone in every age, gender, and stage of life. The slogan was considered both “universal and intensely personal.” This is a catchy slogan that takes away any excuses. It’s simple, it’s concise, yet it’s powerful.
How many times do you hear yourself or others tell you to just do it? Or, better yet, when asked that question, do you find yourself answering with “yes, but…” or “I know, but…”
Many times, you know what you want to do and what you need to do, yet you stop yourself and make excuses. Excuses that are driven by fear of change, fear of the unknown or even lack of motivation. When you make excuses you cripple and limit yourself, you limit your imagination and suppress your growth. You create a new habit of making excuses and building reasons in your mind of why you can’t complete a task or even at times taking responsibility for certain actions. Excuses become success stoppers because you fail to learn from your mistakes. When you get into the habit of making excuses, you get into the habit of putting the blame on circumstances or on others, which leads to you giving up the power to change your life.
Every time you are faced with an opportunity, pause and think of the excuses that start to flood your brain and try to filter them out or even tune them out. Focus on the outcome and the potential growth by overcoming the excuses. Find your possibility beyond your excuses.
“The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it.” Lou Holtz