eBusiness Weekly
Arthur Marara
Excuses will always be there, but opportunities will not be. This is the reality that most people do not pay attention to.
There are several excuses that we make. These are actually sabotaging us in ways that we may never have imagined before.
Excuse 1: You don’t have time
We are all given the same amount of time, 24 hours in a day. In the same amount of time some have managed to build businesses whilst others destroy their businesses. You have 168 hours in a week. What are you using your time for?
I have written a book on time management. I believe that people create time for what is truly important to them. No one is busy, people simply prioritise. If you want to see what is truly important to you, look at where you put most of your time and money to. Where your money and time goes is where your heart goes.
It is not, therefore, an excuse to say I do not have time. Time is an important resource, learn to manage it properly. This will change your life.
Excuse 2: You don’t have enough knowledge
Did you know that the computer NASA used to send a person to the moon and return him back only had 65KB memory size?
Just to give you a bit perspective, this computer size was the size of your pocketsize calculator.
Your memory stick is actually more powerful than this computer, not to mention the fact that your smart phone is thousand times more powerful than NASA’s computer.
The distance from earth to the moon is 383 000 kilometres, and landing on the moon was clearly not an easy task, but that is the very reason why America chose to do it. This was done with limited technology but serious levels of determination.
Seventy -years ago, not having enough knowledge would have been a serious issue. Even back then with limited technology a lot was done. Today, we live in the Information Age and have access to the internet, where every bit of knowledge is easily available to you. Get learning. There is so much you can learn online for free. Sign up for free courses, learn a new skill and grow yourself.
Excuse 3: You lack motivation
Great things are not done with motivation. They are done with discipline. The word “motivate” simply means motive to act. You need to go beyond just thinking in terms of a motive to act, you need something more.
Motivation is temporal, you need to develop inner drive to sustain you on the journey of life. The greatest source of energy should be your goals and what you want to see happening in your life. Develop discipline and consistency in your life, this will take you far.
Exercise discipline
“In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves. Self-discipline with all of them came first.” [Harry S. Truman].
Discipline often distinguishes between goal setters and goal getters. Discipline is the art of doing what you are supposed to do when you do not feel like doing it.
Discipline is the difference between dreams and accomplishments. Have the discipline to start, and the discipline to finish what you start.
Discipline must come from within you. It is birthed from the knowledge that if I do not do something, there is no one who is going to do it.
If you set a standard for yourself every day, have the discipline to respect it. If you are supposed to contact a certain number of clients per day, have the discipline to discharge that mandate.
If you are supposed to read a certain number of chapters or texts per day, discipline yourself to do that. With the requisite discipline, you will not struggle with what most people struggle with.
Discipline brings a habit, in that a particular way of conduct becomes a part of you. Imagine if you have a habit to do things with excellence, the wonders you will accomplish. Strive for self-discipline, it is not easy but it is necessary.
Excuse 4: You’re not ready yet
Learn to start. In fact, just start. The conditions will never be perfect, just start. Do your preparations and ground work but you need to start. A great amount of time is lost through procrastination which often is justified in the name of preparing further. A lot of things will take shape as you are taking action. You will learn as you go.
Excuse 5: You should’ve started when younger
You are just but the right age. Start from where you are. Ignore your age, pursue your goals. Make today count by taking action today. You cannot undo what has happened in the past. Focus on the present and make a great plan for the future. The best moment to start was yesterday, the second-best is today. It’s never too late.
Excuse 6: You’re too young or too old to start
Once, there was an older man, who was broke, living in a tiny house and owned a beat up car. He was living off of $99 social security checks. At 65 years of age, he decide things had to change. So he thought about what he had to offer. His friends raved about his chicken recipe. He decided that this was his best shot at making a change.
He left Kentucky and travelled to different states to try to sell his recipe. He told restaurant owners that he had a mouth-watering chicken recipe. He offered the recipe to them for free, just asking for a small percentage on the items sold. Sounds like a good deal, right?
Unfortunately, not to most of the restaurants. He heard NO over 1000 times. Even after all of those rejections, he didn’t give up. He believed his chicken recipe was something special. He got rejected 1009 times before he heard his first yes.
With that one success Colonel Hartland Sanders changed the way Americans eat chicken. Kentucky Fried Chicken, popularly known as KFC, was born.
Remember, never give up and always believe in yourself in spite of rejection. You are the right age for the dream. You are not too young or too old, you are the right age.
Excuse 7: You’re worried about what other people will think
You have no control over what people think. Whether you take action or not, they will still talk. Don’t worry about people’s opinion and focus solely on yourself and your projects. It’s the only way to succeed.
Arthur Marara is a corporate law attorney, keynote speaker, corporate and personal branding speaker commanding the stage with his delightful humour, raw energy, and wealth of life experiences. He is a financial wellness expert and is passionate about addressing the issues of wellness, strategy and personal and professional development. Arthur is the author of “Toys for Adults” a thought provoking book on entrepreneurship, and “No one is Coming” a book that seeks to equip leaders to take charge. Send your feedback to [email protected] or Visit his website www.arthurmarara.com or contact him on WhatsApp: +263780055152 or call +263772467255.
