Problems And Excuses

We fail because we don’t do what we know

One of the enduring messages I strive to share with those who read my books, watch my movies, or hear me speak is: we don’t fail because we don’t know what to do; we fail because we don’t do what we know. There is no one reading these words in a newspaper, magazine, or online publication anywhere around the world who doesn’t already know how to be more successful. The sad commentary on us all is that we simply don’t act upon the knowledge we have.
 

Knowledge simply means we acquired the awareness of something. Wisdom means we’ve applied that knowledge. Knowledgeable people may be smart, but wise people are successful and make the world a better place. When we are faced with a task we know we should undertake to get us closer to our goals, we are confronted with two elements: problems and excuses.
 
Problems are the obstacles that may be between us and our objective. They may be real and legitimate but can be overcome. The biggest problem any of us face is procrastination, laziness, or accepting the status quo. Excuses are the justifications that we tell ourselves and those around us for why we’re not acting. We should address problems and avoid excuses.
 
My late, great friend and mentor, Zig Ziglar, often repeated a story about excuses. Apparently, Zig was doing some work in his backyard when his neighbor called to him over the fence, “Hey, Zig, can I borrow your axe?”
 
Zig turned to his neighbor, smiled, and responded, “No, I can’t loan you my axe, because I’m going to make soup.”
 
Zig’s neighbor was confused and bewildered asking, “What does you making soup have to do with me borrowing your axe?”
 
Zig smiled and responded, “Absolutely nothing, but if I don’t want to loan you my axe, one excuse is about as good as another.”
 
Right now I would like to give you, my readers around the world, a special gift. It is the Jim Stovall one-size-fits-all 100% money-back-guaranteed excuse for all situations. The next time you’re confronted with a task that you know you should pursue and you’re looking for an excuse, feel free to use my gift. It works like this: think of your goal, calling, or destiny, and consider the task before you that you do not want to perform. Instead of making up a fictitious excuse, simply tell yourself the truth, “I really don’t want it that bad.”
 
I have shared my excuse gift with countless people around the world, and it continues to work flawlessly.
 
As you go through your day today, solve problems and eliminate excuses.
 
Today’s the day! 
 

Jim Stovall is the president of Narrative Television Network as well as a published author of many books including The Ultimate Gift.  He is also a columnist and motivational speaker.   Follow @Stovallauthor