Excuses are painkillers for inaction – Doug Nelson. As of late I have been inundated with excuses. Actually, I believe I have just become more attuned to them and there was no actual increase in the volume of excuses. As I have become more self aware, a by product of that awareness is the habits of others. One habit that serves no tangible purpose is making an excuse.

Have you ever made an excuse in business and afterwards the problem magically disappeared? Of course not. Have you ever been late to an appointment and after you arrived, you made an excuse and you were no longer late? Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? However, many of you do or have done this in the past. To be perfectly honest, I did as well when I was younger. That is until I figured out that excuses had no practical purpose. Especially in the business world.

You see, when you make an excuse, normally you are only fooling yourself. If the person you are pitching your excuse to believes you, you just broke their trust and it will come back to affect your business. Once you begin the habit of making excuses for undelivered promises, it becomes easier and eventually becomes a terrible habit. In the present time, more and more people are becoming less and less accountable. As people become less accountable, they formulate and repeat more excuses.

Do not become one of those people. In the business world you will earn the reputation for making excuses instead of delivering on your product or service. Eventually your excuses can lead you to go out of business because of lack of business. If you make a mistake, own up to it and admit the mistake. If you are late, simply apologize for being late and continue on. No one wants to hear your excuse. If someone wants the details, they will ask. There is a difference between a reason and an excuse. A reason is backed by a logical flow of facts where as an excuse is based upon embellishment and half truths. However, so many people make excuses in these times that a bonafide reason is met with skepticism and viewed as an excuse.

Entrepreneurs are take no excuses, do what it takes type of individuals. If you will accept no excuses from others, then, by the same token, you should give no excuses in return. Do not make up excuses to yourself either. Be forthright with your clients, friends, family, and your self. You will earn more respect and have more self respect.

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